The significance of Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti)

The festival of Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival celebrated in the month of January.
It is one of the few Hindu festivals that is observed according to solar cycles.
It is the festival of Harvest.
People make til ke ladoo and exchange it with their neighbors and relatives.
This day marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
This day marks the beginning of Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh.
Pilgrims take a dip in holy river water and it is believed that they do so to wash off all their sins.
Makar Sankranti denotes the transition of sun from the Sagittarius to Capricorn.
People fly kites on this day. One can hear Kai Po Che! sounds everywhere.
It is known with many different names across the country, like Pongal, Lohri in Punjab, Bhogali Bihu in Assam and Bhogi, etc.Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun from one zodiac sign to another. Thus Makar Sankranti is the day when the Sun transits into Makar rashi or Capricorn. Makar Sankranti is a solar event, making it one of the few Indian festivals whose date always falls on the same day in the calendar every year on 14 or 15 January. The day also marks the end of winter season and the welcoming of the spring season.