Unlike other Hindu festivals that follow lunar motion, Makar Sankranti follows the movement of the sun. 'Makar' means Capricorn, and 'Sankranti' means Transition. This is the only festival to fall on a fixed date every year- the 14th of January. Every region celebrates the festival in its own local way. It is regarded as the day Winter officially ends and spring begins, a symbol of leaving behind all past negativity and begin a fresh new season.
It still holds cultural significance. Puranas say that it is on this day the Sun visits the house of his son Shani, swami of Makar Rashi. This day symbolises the healthy relationship of father and son- also symbolic of the son's responsibility to carry forward his father's dream. It is also said that on this day, Lord Vishnu ended the increasing terror of the Asuras, by finishing them off and burying their heads under the Mandara Parvata. This is also why, Makar Sankranti represents the end of negativity and the beginning of righteous living.
In several regions, people celebrate the day by flying colourful kites. Families make a day out of it, various sweets are prepared and eaten. Gujarat marks the day with kites, chikki, undhiyu, and jalebi.
In commemoration of the festival, a week-long International Kite Festival has been kick-started at Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. It was inaugurated by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on January 8 in a grand ceremony. Over two thousand students from schools run by the Municipal Corporation performed 'suryanamaskar' during the opening. Theme for this year's Festival is 'Tourist Destinations of Gujarat'. The event includes kite workshop, adventure games for kids, craft stalls to display local art and food stalls with local delicacies.
An estimated of 186 kite fliers, which includes 51 from 8 different states and more than 100 kite fliers from more than 31 countries, will participate this year. Participants from Argentina, Australia, France, Brazil, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Estonia, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Netherlands, New-Zealand, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, the UK, the USA and Vietnam will be a part of this mega event.
