Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is celebrated on January 14 every year across Uttarakhand with great fervour. In Haridwar, lakhs of devotees take a holy dip at Har Ki Pauri. The festival is also known as Uttarayani in Kumaon and Ghugutiya or Kale Kauwa in some regions. Children in Kumaon make ornaments from dough shaped like birds, swords, drums, etc., and wear them as necklaces. They call out to crows singing "Kale Kauwa, kale kauwa" and offer sweetmeats. In Garhwal, fairs called Uttarayani Melas are held, and khichdi (a rice-lentil dish) is donated to the poor. The festival marks the beginning of the auspicious Uttarayan period.