📅 Makar Sankranti / Lohri 2024 — Dates
About Makar Sankranti / Lohri
Makar Sankranti marks the sun's transition into Capricorn (Makara Rashi) and is considered the most auspicious solar transition of the year. In Punjab and Haryana, Lohri (the night before) is celebrated as a harvest festival marking the end of winter and the beginning of longer days.
🎉 Traditions & Customs
Lohri: A bonfire is lit, and people throw popcorn (phulian), peanuts, gajak, revdi, and sesame seeds into the fire while singing folk songs. Newlyweds and newborns in the family make it a special occasion. Makar Sankranti: Khichdi (rice-lentil dish) is cooked and donated. Til (sesame) and jaggery sweets are exchanged. Kite flying is popular.
🌾 In Haryana & Mundakhera
Lohri is celebrated with equal enthusiasm as in Punjab in Haryana villages. The bonfire in the village chowk is a community event. Bhangra and giddha dancing happens around the fire. Households with new brides or babies celebrate Lohri with special attention and gifts from relatives.
🌙 Panchang Notes
Sankranti is a solar event (when sun enters Capricorn) — falls on January 14 every year (occasionally January 15).