Sankranthi, also known as Makar Sankranti, is a major Hindu festival celebrated across India to mark the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makara). It usually falls on January 14th every year and signifies the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of longer, warmer days. The festival celebrates the harvest season, when farmers express gratitude for a successful yield and pray for prosperity. Different regions of India observe Sankranthi with unique traditions — in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, it is celebrated with bonfires, colorful rangoli (muggu), and special dishes like pongal; in Punjab, it is known as Lohri; in Gujarat, as Uttarayan with kite flying; and in Tamil Nadu, as Pongal. People dress in new clothes, share sweets made of jaggery and sesame, and participate in community gatherings. Sankranthi symbolizes joy, renewal, and harmony with nature, bringing families and communities together in gratitude and celebration.