New Delhi, Jan 14 (IANS) Children on the capital’s terraces cheered as their kites soared higher, while the adults made sure the supply of sesame-seed sweets did not run out - that is how the harvest festival of Makar Sankranti was celebrated Wednesday.The day started early for most families with visits to the temple as the Sun started its annual swing northwards, according to various Indian calendars. Harking back to the traditions of the harvest festival, devotees offered fresh sugarcane, rice or sesame to the Sun god.

“Music, kites and fun. This is what Makar Sankranti means to me,” said 16-year-old Kaavya.

“I wait for this day as I love to fly kites and love to see people shouting when a kite goes down,” said Rameshwar Singh, an executive.

Makar Sankranti, which Hindus consider one of the most auspicious days, is celebrated in most parts of the country with great devotion, fervour and gaiety.

Tens of thousands of people take a dip in places like Ganga Sagar in West Bengal and Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh and pray to the Sun god.