‘Til gud ghya ani god gog bola’

MUMBAI: 'Makar Sankranti' which marks the commencement of the sun's journey towards the northern hemisphere (Makara raasi), resulting in longer and warmer days, was celebrated with traditional fervour Sunday.
 
This festival is celebrated in the month of 'Maagh', according to the Hindu calendar, signifying the onset of 'Uttarayana Punyakalam', a new beginning which beckons all to forget past ill-feelings and hostilities and resolve to speak sweetly and remain friends with one and all.

Traditionally, this period is considered auspicious because the veteran warrior and statesman 'Bhishma' from the Hindu epic Mahabharata chose to die during this period, since it is a part of religious belief that those who die during this period are exempted from rebirth. They attain 'Moksha'-- eternal liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Besides, the sky looks decorated with colourful kites with people from all age groups trying their hand at kite flying.