All south indians, especially people from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are more familiar with this word. Well people from other parts of India know it with a different name.
Makara Sankranti is the "Harvest festival of India". Sankranti means the transmigration of the Sun from one Zodiac constellation to another, and Makara Sankranti means the transmigration of the Sun into Makara Rashi (Capricorn Constellation). But what makes this day so important?
It is on this day Uttarayana starts i.e. Northern movement of the sun starts. This marks the beginning of longer days and shorter nights. After this day the day becomes more warmer and pleasent. The beginning of this period is celebrated across the country with different names
Punjab - Lohri
Uttarakhand - Uttarayani
West Bengal & Maharastra - Makar Sankranti
Assam - Bhogali Bihu
Gujrat and Rajasthan - Uttarayan (Kite Flying Festival)
Tamil Nadu and Tamils in Sri Lanka - Pongal
Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh - Sankranthi ...
Read more about this diversified festival on Wiki
Wish you all a happy and prosperous Sankranthi Wishes
