Evelyn Siqueira
Makar Sankranti is a festival which is celebrated all over India, as well as in Goa.
Makar Sankranti is celebrated on January 14/15 annually.
The occasion marks the transition of the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn (Makar).
Flying kites is the most notable observance of the festival which marks the end of winter.
In Maharashtra and Goa, the festival is popularly known as Haldi Kumkum.
Tilgul, a sweet made of sesame seeds and jaggery, is distributed on the occasion.
Haldi Kumkum is also an opportunity for married women to get together, visit each other and exchange gifts.
Gifts are generally small items such as bangles, hankies, towels, talc or other trinkets.
Devotees abstain from consuming non-veg food, onion and garlic.