Makar Sankranti means the beginning of the sun's journey into the Northern Hemisphere and is celebrated all over the country in one form or the other. People take a dip in the holy rivers and ponds and offer prayer to the sun. The river Hooghly, near Calcutta, is a major centre for this festival, as people come from different parts of the country for a ceremonial cleansing in the river. This is known as the Gangasagar Mela. In Gujarat, a kite festival is held and brightly coloured kites dot the skies.

Where: practically all over the country.