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Makar Sankranti: Sweets, kite flying mark the day

          Ahmedabad/Patna: The harvest festival of Makar Sankranti is being celebrated across the country. The festival is known differently in different parts of the country. It is generally marked with exchange of delicacies and kite flying. Called Makar Sakranti in eastern and parts of north and northwest India , it is celebrated as "Pongal" in the south and as "Bihu" in north-eastern India . In Ahmedabad, the sky turned into a battleground for the myriad kites to mark Uttarayan, the movement of the sun in the northern direction). While kite flying is hugely popular during religious and national festivals, Gujarat in particular has been the biggest patron. Apart from the locals, the festive revelry also gripped the foreign tourists. "The kites are fabulous. It is so much to learning to try to fly the kite. It is wonderful to learn the technique and the movement and the pull. Wonderful," said Anni. Mayur Dave, a diehard kite flier, said it's thrilling to fly a kite in a crowded sky, littered with kites of various hues and sizes. "For the last 40 years I am flying kites. On 14th and 15th January I spend the whole day from 7 in the morning to 12 at night, I am there in the terrace flying kites. I take my breakfast, lunch and dinner over here only," said Mayur Dave.

         In Jaipur city, scores of foreign tourists participated in a kite flying function, organised to attract them to former princely state's rich tradition and culture. "Well it was difficult. The professionals were little nervous that I will spoil their game but it was fun, yeah it was nice," said Stena, a foreign tourist. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, marked the day serving festive delicacies to guests at his home in Patna . "On this day everyone meets and celebrate with open heart. There is no distinction of caste or sect in the way to the festival revelry," said Nitish. Former Chief Minister Rabri Devi and her husband Lalu Prasad Yadav, Union Railway Minister, also participated in the festivities. The festival is celebrated as Maghi (Spring season), according to the Hindu calendar, and is celebrated in all parts of the country with equal fervour. In Maharashtra , people greet each other and exchange Tilache Ladoo. The married ladies arrange 'haldi kum kum', an auspicious religious get together and distribute sweets and gifts. Traditionally, undhiyu (a mix of vegetables and green beans) and puri are served on the festival. Other traditional snacks include chikki (a sweet peanut bar) and fruits like berries and guava.
- Jan 14, 2007

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