Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival celebrated on January 14, which marks the sun’s entry into Capricorn.
The festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated on January 14 in India and Nepal. The name of the festival translates to “the arrival of the sun into Capricorn” and marks the sun’s entry into Capricorn. Makar Sankranti is also known as Pongal, which means “to boil over” in Tamil. This refers to the boiling over of pots of milk during this time.
As with many Hindu festivals, there are many myths surrounding Makar Sankranti. The most popular story tells that it was on this day that Lord Krishna defeated a demon named Narkasur by cutting off his head with his discus. This victory led to peace throughout India and allowed people to start farming again.
What is a kite?
A kite is an object designed to fly in the air when pulled by a string or attached to a frame. Kites come in all shapes and sizes, from small toy kites used for recreation or decoration, to large stunt kites used for competitions.
Why do we fly kites on Makar Sankranti?
Makar Sankranti has been traditionally celebrated by flying kites made out of colored paper and sticks covered with glue and dyes. These kites are flown outside during the day while celebrations take place indoors with family members sharing sweets made from rice powder (kheer). These sweets are known as pongal, which also refers to the main dish served at this time of year made from rice boiled with milk, sugar, raisins and cashews.
