Among the following Indian festivals, which common feature correctly explains the similarity between Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Lohri and Baisakhi?

Introduction / Context:
This question relates to Indian culture and festivals. Many important Indian festivals are linked to the agricultural cycle and harvest seasons. Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Lohri and Baisakhi are famous regional celebrations. The question asks you to identify the core similarity that connects all of them, which is a common theme often tested in cultural general knowledge.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Makar Sankranti is celebrated in many parts of India, especially in states like Gujarat and Maharashtra.
• Pongal is a major festival in Tamil Nadu.
• Lohri is mainly celebrated in Punjab and nearby regions.
• Baisakhi is also a major festival in Punjab and adjoining areas.

Concept / Approach:
All these festivals have their roots in agrarian life. They mark important points in the harvest cycle, often celebrating the gathering of crops, thanking nature and deities, and beginning a new agricultural year. Although the names, rituals, and regional flavours differ, the unifying theme is their role as harvest festivals rather than their geography or exact dates in the Gregorian calendar.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Makar Sankranti is associated with the harvest of the rabi crop and also marks a change in the sun position.Step 2: Remember that Pongal is a harvest festival in Tamil Nadu, where newly harvested rice is cooked and offered.Step 3: Know that Lohri in Punjab is celebrated around the time of harvesting sugarcane and other winter crops.Step 4: Recognise that Baisakhi marks the harvest of the rabi crop and also has religious significance for the Sikh community.Step 5: Conclude that the main similarity is that all four are harvest festivals.

Verification / Alternative Check:
Standard cultural and exam preparation books describe Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Lohri and Baisakhi as harvest related celebrations. While some of them fall in January, Baisakhi is usually in April, which disproves the idea that their common feature is the month of celebration. Regional classification is also not correct, because Pongal is from South India whereas Lohri and Baisakhi are from North India, further confirming that the harvest theme is the correct unifying factor.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A is incorrect because not all four festivals belong to North India; Pongal is principally a South Indian festival. Option C is wrong because Baisakhi is celebrated in April, not January. Option D claims there is no similarity, which contradicts the clear agricultural and harvest context for all four. Therefore, only the harvest festival option captures the correct cultural link.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes quickly associate all these festivals with a particular month, especially January, due to Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Lohri being close together in the calendar, and they forget that Baisakhi is later in the year. Another common confusion is to think about regional grouping instead of thematic grouping. For such questions, it is safer to ask what function the festival serves in rural and agrarian life, which often reveals the correct connection.

Final Answer:
The correct similarity is that Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Lohri and Baisakhi are all harvest festivals celebrated in different regions of India.