Sankranti సంక్రాంతి
January 14–16
About Sankranti
Sankranti (Makar Sankranti) marks the sun's transition into Capricorn (Makara rashi) and the beginning of Uttarayan — the sun's northward journey. In Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, it is the biggest festival of the year, celebrated over three days.
The Three Days
Bhogi (Day 1): Old items are burnt in a bonfire (Bhogi mantalu) to symbolise discarding the old and welcoming new. Children receive new clothes; kites are flown.
Sankranti (Day 2): The main day. Rangoli (muggulu) drawn with rice flour at doorsteps, cows decorated, Pongal prepared, and Haridasus (wandering folk performers) visit homes.
Kanuma (Day 3): Thanksgiving for cattle. Farmers worship their animals. Cock fights (now largely ceremonial) are associated with this day in rural areas.
Muggulu
Intricate kolam/rangoli patterns drawn at doorsteps are a Sankranti tradition. In Telangana, muggulu are drawn in dots-and-lines style, increasingly elaborate over the festival days.
Kite Flying
Bhogi morning is associated with kite flying — the sky fills with kites in Hyderabad, Karimnagar, and other towns.