The correct answer is: b) End of the harvest season.
Maghe Sankranti is a Hindu festival that marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the month of Magha. It is celebrated on January 14 or 15 every year. The festival is observed with great pomp and show in different parts of India. People take a holy dip in rivers and lakes, offer prayers to the sun god, and feast on delicious food.
The festival is also known as Makar Sankranti, Uttarayan, and Pongal. It is a time for family gatherings and reunions. People visit their relatives and friends, exchange gifts, and enjoy delicious food.
The festival is also associated with a number of legends and myths. One legend says that the festival marks the day when Lord Krishna defeated the demon king Narakasura. Another legend says that the festival marks the day when the sun god, Surya, began his northward journey.
Maghe Sankranti is a time for joy and celebration. It is a time to thank the sun god for his blessings and to pray for a good harvest in the coming year.
Here is a brief explanation of each option:
- a) Beginning of the winter solstice. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. It usually occurs on December 21 or 22. Maghe Sankranti is not associated with the winter solstice.
- b) End of the harvest season. Maghe Sankranti marks the end of the harvest season. It is a time to celebrate the abundance of crops and to thank the farmers for their hard work.
- c) A religious pilgrimage. Maghe Sankranti is not a religious pilgrimage. It is a time for family gatherings and reunions.
- d) A time for family gatherings. Maghe Sankranti is a time for family gatherings and reunions. People visit their relatives and friends, exchange gifts, and enjoy delicious food.