"Exploring Vibrant Festivals: From Lohri to Makar Sankranti"

Lohri is a popular Punjabi festival, celebrated by people from the Punjab region of South Asia.

Lohri marks the end of winter and is a traditional welcome of longer days and the sun's journey to the northern hemisphere by Sikhs and Hindus in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent. It is observed the night before Makar Sankranti, also known as Maghi, and according to the solar part of the lunisolar Bikrami calendar.

Traditions include singing folk songs, dancing, and making a bonfire. People throw sweets, puffed rice, and popcorn into the fire, thanking the Sun God and seeking his continued protection.

Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States, originating as a harvest festival.

Thanksgiving has been celebrated nationally on and off since 1789, with a proclamation by George Washington after a request by Congress. It is a day of giving thanks and sacrifice for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year.

Traditions include a meal shared among family and friends. The meal often includes a turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, pumpkin pie, and vegetables.

Pongal is a multi-day Hindu harvest festival of South India, particularly in the Tamil community.

Pongal is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Tamil people in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. It corresponds to Makar Sankranti, the harvest festival under many regional names celebrated throughout India.

The festival includes the preparation of the traditional dish 'Pongal' made from newly harvested rice, and is dedicated to the Sun god. The festival also includes drawing of Kolam, swinging & cooking of delicious Pongal.

Makar Sankranti or Maghi, is a festival day in the Hindu calendar, dedicated to the deity Surya (sun).

It marks the first day of the sun's transit into Makara (Capricorn), marking the end of the month with the winter solstice and the start of longer days. It is a festival that signifies the arrival of spring in India.

The festival is observed with social festivities such as colorful decorations, rural children going house to house, singing and asking for treats in some areas (or pocket money), melas (fairs), dances, kite flying, bonfires and feasts.