Makar Sankranti is one of India’s most significant festivals, celebrated with diverse traditions and names across various regions. Observed in January, this festival holds profound historical significance, with different states commemorating it under unique names, showcasing the rich cultural tapestry of India.
Let’s have a look at how it is celebrated in different parts of India:
Tamil Nadu – Pongal
In Tamil Nadu, the four-day festival of Pongal is a vibrant celebration of renewal and gratitude. The festival begins with the ritual of discarding and burning old clothes, symbolizing the release of past mistakes and the emergence of a brighter future. Pongal is deeply rooted in the tradition of rice, with boiled rice being offered to the gods as a symbol of thanksgiving. On the third day, decorated and worshipped cattle are honoured for their vital role in agricultural processes. Throughout the festival, people don new attire, visit relatives, and exchange gifts, fostering a sense of community and joy. The celebrations take place over four days, commencing on the last day of the Tamil month of Maargazhi and concluding on the third day of the Tamil month of Thai.
Punjab – Lohri
In Punjab, the festive spirit of Lohri is palpable as people gather to light bonfires, offer worship, don new attire, and indulge in traditional sweets like rewri and gajjak, along with popcorn and bajre ki khichdi. This vibrant celebration heralds the successful harvest of winter crops, filling the air with joy and gratitude.
Rajasthan – Sankranti
In Rajasthan, Makar Sankranti is celebrated with great enthusiasm, marked by the preparation of traditional delicacies, lively dancing, and family reunions. Two significant customs are associated with this festival in the state. One tradition involves women gifting 13 other married women with items such as clothing, cosmetics, or household goods. Another notable tradition is the special celebration of a woman’s first Makar Sankranti after marriage, where her parents invite her to their home. Additionally, kite flying is a cherished tradition on this day, adding to the festive fervour.
Gujarat – Uttarayan
In Gujarat, the eagerly anticipated festival of Uttarayan is a two-day celebration, where kite flying takes centre stage, much like in Rajasthan. Derived from the Sanskrit word for the sun’s northern journey, Uttarayan is observed on January 14 and 15, with the 14th being Uttarayan and the 15th being Vasi Uttarayan. The skies above major cities are transformed into a kaleidoscope of colourful kites, while on the ground, people indulge in traditional treats like chikkis, dry fruits, and sesame-based sweets, adding to the festive delight.
Uttar Pradesh – Kicheri
In Uttar Pradesh, Makar Sankranti is celebrated with immense fervour, marked by traditional rituals, sacred bathing, and worship of the divine. The occasion witnesses a massive convergence of over two million devotees at revered sites, including Allahabad and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, as well as Haridwar in Uttarakhand. This period also coincides with the Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious gathering, which takes place in Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, the festival is characterized by widespread charitable activities, as people engage in generous acts of kindness and philanthropy.
Maharashtra – Makar Sankranti
In Maharashtra, Makar Sankranti is a three-day celebration, marked by the exchange of vibrant sweets like multi-coloured halwa, puran poli, and til-gul laddoos, accompanied by warm greetings and good wishes. The festival is a time for reconciliation, as people come together to forget past animosities and forgive one another. Married women observe the tradition of Haldi-Kunku, inviting friends and family to join in the celebrations. Interestingly, women wear black attire on this day, which may seem unusual for a festival. However, this tradition is rooted in practicality, as black clothing helps retain body heat during the chilly winter season, making it an essential part of the celebration.
West Bengal – Posh Parbon
In Bengal, Makar Sankranti is celebrated with great enthusiasm and is named after a special month in the Bengali calendar. The festival is marked by the exchange of traditional sweets, including freshly harvested paddy, date palm syrup in the form of Khejurer Gur and Patali. The celebrations span three days, beginning a day before Sankranti and culminating a day after. A key aspect of the festival is the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, which is also known as Baharlakshmi puja, and is typically observed on the day of Sankranti.
Assam – Magh Bihu/ Bhogali Bihu
Makar Sankranti marks the culmination of the harvest season and is a joyous celebration of the crops reaped. The festival is observed with great fervour, characterized by feasting, dancing, and the lighting of bonfires, locally known as mejis. Traditional sweets made from sesame and peanuts are also distributed among family and friends. The festival is not limited to farmers’ households but is a widespread celebration. In fact, in some regions, it is also known as Bhogali Bihu, which aptly translates to the ‘Festival of Food’, highlighting the emphasis on communal feasting and merriment.
Odisha– Makar Sankranti
People of Odisha prepare a sweet delicacy named Makar Chaula to mark the occasion. At the heart of the celebrations is the revered dish, Makar Chaula, a sweet and sticky pudding made with rice, milk, jaggery, banana, and coconut. Sometimes, sesame and sugarcane are also used to prepare this sweet and sticky pudding. This nutritious delight is not only a treat for the taste buds but also a powerhouse of iron, protein, fibre, and minerals. As a token of appreciation for the harvested crops, Makar Chaula is offered to Lord Jagannath, along with other delectable dishes as a token of appreciation for the crops harvested after a period of labour and toil. It is said that Makar Chaula filled with iron, protein, fibre and minerals works wonders for your body as well as improves your skin and hair.
