Makar Sankranti is celebrated Monday January 15. It is a festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, around the world to give thanks for the harvest and the end of the harsh winter. It is tied to farming. It is usually celebrated on January 14 depending on the tithe. This being a leap year, it is celebrated in India on January 15. In the West, mandirs celebrated on January 14. On this auspicious day, people offer prayers to Lord Surya, and Surya mandir in Jamaica held special prayers on the occasion. Other mandirs also observed the festival on Sunday mandir services.
Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun from Saggitarius towards the zodiac sign of Capricorn and away from the southern hemisphere towards the northern hemisphere. After this day, January 15, the day will get longer and the night shorter till June 22, the beginning of summer after which the day will begin to get shorter and the night longer.
In the southern state of Tamil Nadu, the festival is known as Pongal. It is a four-day celebration dedicated to expressing gratitude to the Sun God for a bountiful harvest.
For Makar Sankranti, all kinds of grains and round nuts as well as sesame seeds are consumed.
