| Sankranti is one of the biggest festivals for the | | | | Nandi, to go to the earth and ask the humans to |
| people in Andhra Pradesh (India). This festival starts | | | | have an oil massage and bath every day and to eat |
| from Jan. 13th and ends on Jan. 15th of every year. | | | | once a month. Inadvertently, Nandi announced that |
| The first day of the festival is called bhogi, second | | | | everyone should eat daily and have an oil bath once |
| day is called makara sankranti, third day is called | | | | a month. This mistake made Shiva very angry who |
| kanuma. | | | | then cursed Nandi, banishing him to live on the earth |
| This festival is very colorful in the villages rather than | | | | forever. He would have to plough the fields and help |
| cities and towns. All the three days of sankranti have | | | | people produce more food. Thus, this day is |
| their own individual significance. On the first day, | | | | associated with cattle. |
| delicious preparations are made and homes are | | | | The festival of Sankranti is held particularly by the |
| scrubbed and whitewashed. Doorways are decorated | | | | farmers as it marks the end of harvesting season. |
| with vermilion and sandalwood paste with colorful | | | | The markets start receiving stacks of rice, |
| garlands of leaves and flowers decorate the outside | | | | sugarcanes, turmeric saplings and a horde of farm |
| of almost every home. On this day 'Bhogi' or the Rain | | | | produces. The run-up to Sankranti is as exciting as |
| God is worshipped. | | | | celebrating the occasion that is believed to ring in |
| According to puranas, once Shiva asked his vehicle, | | | | prosperity. |