Our Beautiful Human Family Corner: Cultural Spotlight on Sankranti

Our Beautiful Human Family Corner: Cultural Spotlight on Sankranti

Sankranti is a well-known Hindu festival commonly celebrated in all parts of India. It is meant to

signify the end of the winter and the arrival of Spring, and traditionally falls on the day of winter

solstice, the longest day of the year. The arrival of longer days and warmer weather is meant to

symbolize and invite a good harvest for the year. Sankranti is celebrated differently in different

parts of India, where it is known by various names. The festival is usually dedicated to the sun-

god Surya, and a common feature in most celebrations involves the flying of colorful kites.

In some parts of India, Sankranti is celebrated over the course of four days, with each day

commemorating a different part of the harvest process. Another common practice associated

with the festival is for pilgrims to visit India’s famous holy river, the Ganges, for a cleansing.

Sankranti is also associated with a variety of different sweet treats and dishes, the most

common of which are small balls made from sesame seeds and sweetened with an unrefined

cane sugar known as jaggery.

https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/information-about-makar-sankranti-festival-for-kids/

https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/makar-sankranti-2020-date-history-

importance-and-significance-of-makar-sankranti-festival-6210114/