πMakar Sankranti is one of the popular festivals in India that celebrates the Sun moving into Capricorn (Makara) and ending off its northward journey, which we call Uttarayana. The festival, happening on January 14, 2025, marks the end of the winter solstice and the start of those longer days ahead. Even though the core ideas of gratitude, renewal, and celebration are the same everywhere, each state adds its own special touch with unique customs and traditions, showcasing the rich cultural diversity of India.
Punjab - Lohri and Sankranti Festivities
πIn Punjab, Makar Sankranti is preceded by Lohri, celebrated with bonfires, traditional folk songs, and dances like Bhangra and Gidda. As the harvest season draws to a close, families assemble around the fire and present peanuts, jaggery, and sesame seeds to the flames.
πOn Makar Sankranti, folks love to indulge in sweets made from sesame and jaggery while flying kites, which is a popular pastime in northern India. The festive spirit is all about having fun, eating good food, and getting to know each other better.
Gujarat - Uttarayan and Kite Flying
π΄In Gujarat, Makar Sankranti is all about Uttarayan, which means two days of amazing kite flying fun. The sky turns into a colorful canvas as families and friends go head-to-head, trying to cut each other's kites while cheering "Kai Po Che!"
πTraditional treats like undhiyu, which is a mixed vegetable dish, and jalebi really bring some extra flavor to the celebrations. Uttarayan is a spectacular event, with enthusiasts travelling from all over the world to attend Ahmedabad's International Kite Festival.
Tamil Nadu - Pongal Celebrations
πPongal is celebrated in Tamil Nadu as a four-day harvest festival that honors the Sun God and nature during Makar Sankranti.
Bhogi (Day 1): κ©²People toss out and burn old household items, marking the beginning of something new.
Thai Pongal (Day 2):κ§ Families prepare Pongal, a sweet dish made with freshly harvested rice, milk, and jaggery, and offer it to Surya (the Sun God).
Mattu Pongal (Day 3): β¨Cows and bulls are seen as sacred animals, and people often worship them and decorate them with garlands.
Kaanum Pongal (Day 4):π Families visit their loved ones, which makes social bonds stronger.
πIn Tamil Nadu, Pongal is a holiday that celebrates thanksgiving, starting over, and wealth.
Karnataka - Ellu-Bella Traditions
βMakar Sankranti is marked in Karnataka by exchanging Ellu-Bella, a sweet dish made of sesame seeds, jaggery, coconut, and roasted peanuts that stands for peace and harmony.
πSugarcane is a significant part of the celebrations, and dishes like Puran Poli and sesame-based sweets are prepared. Bullock races and community feasts are held in rural areas as part of the holiday, which honours its agricultural roots.
Maharashtra - Tilgul and Community Bonds
πThe sharing of tilgul ladoos, or sweets made of sesame and jaggery, and the saying "Tilgul ghya, god god bola," which means "Accept these sweets and speak sweetly," are central to the event in Maharashtra.
κ¦Haldi-kumkum celebrations are hosted by women, giving them a chance to interact and solidify ties within their social networks. Another well-liked pastime is kite flying, and families join together to cook traditional meals like Puran Poli and Tilgul Poli.
Bihar and Jharkhand - Khichdi Sankranti
βIt is common practice in the states of Bihar and Jharkhand to refer to Makar Sankranti as Khichdi Sankranti, which emphasizes the significance of the cooking of khichdi as a pivotal rite. Initially, this dish, which is composed of rice, lentils, and vegetables that are in season, is presented to the gods before being consumed as a meal.
The festival also includes taking a holy dip in sacred rivers and donating items like sesame seeds, blankets, and food π₯to the needy, reflecting the importance of charity.
West Bengal - Ganga Sagar Mela
ΰΉKnown as one of the biggest religious gatherings in India, the Ganga Sagar Mela coincides with Makar Sankranti celebrations in West Bengal. With the intention of purifying their spirits, devotees from all over the nation travel to the point where the Ganges River and the Bay of Bengal meet in order to take a dip in the holy waters that are found there.
πThis occasion is believed to be of enormous spiritual significance for millions of people because of the special prayers and offerings that are presented to the Sun God. This is because of the fact that the Sun God is worshipped there.
Rajasthan - Kite Flying and Feasting
πMakar Sankranti is celebrated with a lot of excitement in Rajasthan, especially with kite flying activities. The skyline of Jaipur turns into a vibrant display of kites, with folks coming together on rooftops to engage in some friendly competition.
βTraditional sweets like gajak, til-patti, and ladoo made of sesame and jaggery are prepared, and feasts bring families and communities together.
Uttar Pradesh - Magh Mela and Sacred Rituals
πThe Magh Mela, which takes place in Prayagraj (Allahabad) in Uttar Pradesh, marks Makar Sankranti. As a means of cleansing, devotees bathe at the Triveni Sangam, where the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati meet.
π«Special dishes like til ladoo, gud laddoo, and khichdi are prepared, and charity plays a prominent role, with people donating food, clothes, and money to the less fortunate.
Assam - Magh Bihu
πΌThe harvest festival of Magh Bihu, which takes place in Assam on Makar Sankranti, highlights the agricultural culture of the state. Gatherings of friends and neighbours gather around communal bonfires (Meji) to kindle in honour of the harvest and the gods.
ꦦCelebrations are livened up by cultural events like buffalo battles and traditional games, and traditional foods like pitha (rice cakes) and ladu (sesame and jaggery) are cooked.
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana - Pedda Panduga
βSo, there's this celebration that happens over three days: Bhogi, Sankranti, and Kanuma. It's called Pedda Panduga or Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Bhogi:κ§ As a symbol of letting go of the past, homes are cleansed and bonfires are lit.
Sankranti:π While making Ariselu and other sweet rice cakes, women decorate their homes with bright muggu (rangoli) patterns.
Kanuma: πThe veneration of cattle is a reflection of their role as agricultural symbols.
βMakar Sankranti 2025 is going to be all about celebrating our differences, with each state bringing its own special touch to the festivities. The skies of Gujarat and Rajasthan are filled with kites, while in West Bengal, people gather for the spiritual vibes of the Ganga Sagar Mela. This festival really brings everyone together, celebrating nature, traditions, and the bonds we share. Makar Sankranti brings together a mix of celebrations that highlight its beautiful messages of gratitude, renewal, and hope.
