This is a celebration of spring on the occason of the 'ascent' of the sun to the north (Uttarayana). In Maharastra, Karnataka as well as parts of Andhra Pradesh, Makar Sankranti is a day of goodwill and friendship.

The Sun enters the Makara raasi (the zodiac sign of Capricorn - the goat), on Sankranti day. Traditionally, this period is considered an auspicious time.

People look forward to this harvest festival, which has different attractions for different people. With crops harvested people have both money and leisure to make merry with. Farmers give new clothes and grain to the labourers who work for them.

People wake up early, complete their morning ablutions and go around the streets singing devotional songs. Houses are cleaned and whitewashed.  The cattle are bathed and decorated. Colourful Rangoli / muggulu are drawn in the front yards of every house during this month. These artistic floral designs are drawn on the floor with rice flour or fine powder of limestone. These patterns are decorated with colours and adorned with marigold placed on cow dung balls. Colourfully dressed young girls go round them singing songs.

Sankranti is an important festival for Telugus and people in rural Andhra look forward to this harvest festival, which has different attractions for different people. With crops harvested people have both money and leisure to make merry with. Farmers give new clothes and grain to the labourers who work for them.

The celebrations last for 3 to 4 days. The first day is marked with gaiety. People wake up early to put up a bon fire. This is followed by a traditional oil bath after which new clothes are worn. Special sweets are prepared.

Many families arrange a doll show (Bommala Koluvu) and invite their friends in the evening on Sankranti day. On this day people give alms to the poor and never say "no" to any body. Good food and sweet dishes are cooked and there is festivity everywhere. The third day is Kanuma. It is a celebration by an agrarian community that thankfully acknowledges the participation of the animals mainly bulls in ploughing the fields and assisting the farmers in raising a good crop. The animals are decorated and are included in some races like bull fights, ram fights and also cockfights, All the three days, rich and poor alike, have a good time.

The third day is Kanuma. It is a celebration by an agrarian community that thankfully acknowledges the participation of the animals mainly bulls in ploughing the fields and assisting the farmers in raising a good crop. The animals are decorated and some of them take part in bull-fight, ram-fight etc.