Talk about India, from India with you

Good morning/Good afternoon/Good evening my friends, wherever you are! This 11:00pm. 16^th January, 2013, Wednesday in India. Wish you a very happy and prospures New Year to you all! Hope you all are doing well. I’m fine now. As I told you, Monday, 14^th January we celebrated Makar Sankranti here in India. Allow me to share some more info about it.

Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious days for the Hindus and is celebrated in almost all parts of India in myriad cultural forms, with great devotion. Millions of people take a dip in places like Ganga Sagar (the point where the river Ganges meets the Bay of Bengal) and Prayag and pray to the Sun God (Surya). It is celebrated with pomp in southern parts of India as Sankranti (Pongal in Tamil Nadu), and in Punjab as Maghi.
In the western Indian state of Gujarat, the celebrations are even bigger. People offer thousands of their colorful oblations to the Sun in the form of beautiful kites. The act stands as a metaphor for reaching to their beloved God, the one who represents the best. In the rural and coastal areas, cock fights are held and is a prominent event of the festival. Makara Sankranti is also to honor, worship and to pay respect to Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge). At the start of this significant event, there is also worship for the departed ancestors.
Since the festival is celebrated in mid winter, food prepared for this festival is such that it keeps the body warm and gives high energy. Laddu of til made with Jaggery is a specialty of the festival. In the western Indian state of Maharashtra it is called 'Tilgul'. In Karnataka it is called 'Yellu-Bella'. In some states cattle are decorated with various colors and are made to jump over a bon-fire.

It is celebrated differently in different regions of India. In West Bengal and in many of others state, it is also celebrated with Kite. We fly kites of many colors and in this event, people join of every age. It’s a real fun.

That’s all for today! Take very care of your health! Have a good day/ afternoon/evening/night! Namaskar.