Makarsankranti ,onam,pongal,makarvelu,beehu……all these festivals are celebrated on 14th January according to the Puranas, on this day Sun visits the house of his son Shani(saturn) who is the lord of the Makar rashi(Zodiac Capricorn). Though the father and son duo did not get along well, the Surya made it a point to meet his son on this day. He, in fact, comes to his son’s house, for a month. This day thus symbolizes the importance of the special relationship between father and son.
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 Bay of Bengal and Prayag and pray to the Sun God . It is celebrated with pomp in southern parts of India as Pongal, and in Punjab as Maghi.
Makara Sankranti identifies a period of enlightenment, peace, prosperity and happiness followed by a period of darkness, ignorance and viciousness with immense sorrow. The six months of northern movement of the sun is followed by six months of southern movement.
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 Maharastra it is called 'Tilgul'. In Karnataka it is called 'Yellu-Bella'. 
Although traditionally flying kites is not observed as a part of this festivals, nowadays flying kites can be seen in some cities of Rajasthan. People invite friends and relatives to their home for special festival meals called as "Sakrat Bhoj".Sitolia, a ball game where seven flat stone pieces are kept one on one and are dismentelled with the help of a ball is also played.
