Sankranti marks the sun's transition into Capricorn, celebrated across India with harvest festivals, kite flying, and ritual foods. Send invitations for family gatherings and devotional observances.
Pongal
Makara Vilakku
Lohri
Makar Sankranti
About Sankranti
Sankranti is a solar festival observed in January when the sun enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makara). Across India, it is known by regional names—Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Lohri in Punjab, Makar Sankranti in Hindi-speaking regions, and Makara Vilakku in Kerala. The festival centers on harvest thanksgiving and marks the end of winter. Key traditions include flying kites, exchanging sesame and jaggery sweets (til-gud), boiling rice and milk in new pots, and lighting oil lamps. In Kerala, Makara Vilakku (the sacred light of Ayyappa temple) is a major devotional event. Invitations should clearly state the date (typically January 14), venue (home, temple, or community space), and the nature of the gathering—whether a family meal, kite-flying event, or religious observance. Include any dress code (traditional attire is common) and specific rituals guests will participate in.
Cultural context
Sankranti celebrates the solar year's turning point and the end of the inauspicious month of Maagh. It is observed across Hindu, Sikh, and regional traditions. The festival honors the sun god (Surya) and marks a fresh beginning. Harvest themes dominate: farmers thank the earth for crops. In Kerala, Makara Vilakku is tied to the pilgrimage of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala temple. Kite flying, particularly in Gujarat and North India, is central to celebration.
Also known as
Pongal (Tamil) · Makara Vilakku (Malayalam) · Lohri (Punjabi) · Makar Sankranti (Hindi)