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Fly kites, share sweets, and bask in the warmth of the sun! Makar Sankranti festivities bring joy and prosperity to all. Celebrate this blissful day!
Welcome to the lively and colorful celebrations of Makar Sankranti on January 15! This age-old harvest festival is celebrated with great fanfare across the Indian subcontinent. The date marks the arrival of spring, when the sun starts its journey towards the northern hemisphere, making the days longer and warmer. It is a time when people collect the newly-harvested crops, share delectable sweets, and fly kites under the auspiciousness of the radiant sun. Get ready to embrace the warmth of this joyous day and let the spirit of Makar Sankranti fill your hearts with happiness and abundance!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>3000 BC</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Origins of the Festival</div><div class='timeline-text'>Makar Sankranti can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization when people started celebrating the harvest season.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>500s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Connection to Hindu Texts</div><div class='timeline-text'>References to Makar Sankranti are found in Hindu texts like Mahabharata, where it signifies the transition of the sun into the zodiac of Capricorn (Makar).</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1500s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Ritualistic Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text'>Rituals, such as taking a holy dip in rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, and Godavari, are documented during Makar Sankranti for purging sins and bringing good luck.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Distribution of Sweets</div><div class='timeline-text'>The tradition of exchanging sweets made of sesame seeds and jaggery becomes widespread, symbolizing the sharing of warmth and affection.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1900s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Kite Flying Tradition</div><div class='timeline-text'>Flying kites on this day become a popular activity across India, signifying reaching towards the divine and commemorating the arrival of spring.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Modern Day Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text'>Today, Makar Sankranti is celebrated with cultural performances, fairs, bonfires, and feasts showcasing the diversity of traditions across different regions.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Fly vibrant kites</h3><p class='facts-text'>Buy or craft some colorful kites and set them soaring in the sky. This traditional activity in many parts of India brings families and communities together in an atmosphere of fun, laughter and camaraderie.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Prepare traditional sweets</h3><p class='facts-text'>Cook up some traditional Indian sweets such as jaggery or sesame laddus, or savoury dishes like Khichdi. Sharing these delicacies with your loved ones is a significant part of Makar Sankranti.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Create rangoli designs</h3><p class='facts-text'>Show your artistic side by creating beautiful rangoli designs at the entrance of your home. Rangoli, a traditional Indian art form, is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to your home.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Decoate your home</h3><p class='facts-text'>Decorate your home with marigold flowers, mango leaves, and sugarcane replicas to set the festive mood. The traditional decor not only enhances the celebration but also invites positivity.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Host a bonfire</h3><p class='facts-text'>Organise a bonfire with family and friends to welcome the longer, warmer days ahead. It's another traditional practice in certain regions of India, where people gather around the fire, sing festive songs, and exchange sweets.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Celebrate the oncoming spring</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Makar Sankranti is a festival that marks the arrival of spring! We love the idea of welcoming warmer, longer days with vibrant kites, scrumptious food, and intricate rangoli designs. It's a celebration that brings optimism and cheer into our homes and lives.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Cultural Significance and Traditions</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The age-old traditions followed during Makar Sankranti, be it flying kites, sharing sweets, creating rangoli or lighting bonfires, not only add color and excitement to the celebration, but also connect us to our cultural roots. These practices passed down through generations give us a sense of belonging and an opportunity to immerse in our culture in a joyful manner.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a Joyous Celebration of Togetherness</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Celebrating Makar Sankranti fosters a sense of unity, where people come together to enjoy activities like kite flying, sharing sweets, and singing festive songs around a bonfire. The festival nurtures the spirit of brotherhood, harmony and is a wonderful occasion for reunions with family and friends.</p></div></div>
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