Sankranthi Special: Here is how it is celebrated in Southern states

The young state of the country Telangana also celebrates the festival in the same way the Andhra Pradesh does. However, the most interesting features that adds special attraction is the Kite festival and Numaish exhibition in Hyderabad, which given immense pleasure to the youth and children on this festival. The traditional part of the festival is same as that of Andhra Pradesh where Bhogi, Makar Sankranti and Kanuma is celebrated on consecutive days.

In southern state of Tamil Nadu, the festival is named as the Thai Pongal, which is celebrated for four days Bhogi Pandigai on day 1 followed by Thai Pongal on Day 2, Maattu Pongal on Day 3 and Kaanum Pongal is celebrated on day 4. The people celebrate Pongal with the harvest of crops thatbare vital to the culture of Tamil Nadu. They thank the nature for its treasures and essentials.

Unlike other states, Kerala celebrates the Sankranthi festival at Sabarimala as and when the Mskatw Jyoti is visible. Later on Makaravilakku celebrations begins, which is a annual festival held on Makara Sankranti at Sabarimala that includes the Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornaments of Lord Ayyappan) procession and a congregation at the hill shrine of Sabarimala.

Farmers of Karnataka call Sankranthi as Suggi or harvest festival. The people exchange their delicious plate with neighbours and relatives, which is known as Ellu Birodhu that is a combination of Sesame seeds and fried groundnuts, coconut and fine cut jaggery. Rangoli competitions, kite flying competitions, decoratingthe cattle are the specialities of the festival.

Makara Sankranti is celebrated in Maharashtra by exchanging halwa and til-gul ladoo as token of goodwill. There is also Haldi Kunkum ceremony where the women meet and greet each other. The festival is one of the most celebrated one in Maharashtra where people thank Saraswati, goddess of knowledge.

In Chhattisgarh, Patang Utsav is one of the special attractions in the state, which is a mark of thanksgiving and happiness. Kite flying is a symbol of the happiness and thanksgiving to the goddess and nature.