Makar Sankranti Celebrated in Asia – A Harvest Season Festival

Usually held in January, Makar Sankranti is a festival in the harvest season that is specially celebrated in India. This year, the event fell on 14th January and it also marked the day when the sun started moving to the northern hemisphere marking the end of winter and the beginning of longer days. Traditionally, this is when people celebrate the harvest too and festivities were seen in India’s many states.

Typically, people celebrating Makar Sankranti visit the temple and enjoy reunions and sharing meals with family and friends. Some of the customs observed include making and exchanging sweets, while kite flying is a popular activity during this period. It should be noted that the festival is also celebrated with variations in other Asian countries like Laos; those heading here and staying at Luang Prabang hotels including at properties like Avani+ Luang Prabang Hotel can catch similar events most notably the harvest festival known as Bun Khun Khao.