Indians crowded railway stations and bus stops on Thursday as they headed back to their hometowns to celebrate Sankranti, a multifaceted festival marking the first change in the zodiac after the winter solstice. Throngs of passengers vied for seats and made desperate attempts to board trains, like in this picture taken at the Secunderabad railway station in Hyderabad, capital of the southern Indian state of Telangana./ CFP Photo

Passengers crowded carriages, and some huddled in the aisles. /CFP Photo

Sankranti, also known as the harvest festival, is a seasonal observance and a religious celebration celebrated between January 14 and 16. /CFP Photo