Makar Sankranti, celebrated across India in mid-January, marks the transition of the Sun into Capricorn (Makara) and is one of the most widely celebrated harvest festivals in the country. While the festival’s essence revolves around gratitude for a bountiful harvest, the traditions vary significantly across states. Each region adds its unique cultural flavor, making this festival a vibrant spectacle of unity in diversity.
Let’s take a journey through India to explore the various ways Makar Sankranti is celebrated:
1. Punjab: Lohri 🔥
In Punjab, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Lohri, a festival symbolizing the end of winter and the onset of harvest. Bonfires are lit in every household and village square, where families gather to sing traditional folk songs, perform bhangra, and throw sesame seeds, popcorn, and sugarcane into the fire as offerings. Lohri is a festival of warmth, joy, and togetherness, reflecting the agrarian roots of Punjab.
2. Gujarat: Uttarayan 🪁
In Gujarat, Makar Sankranti transforms into Uttarayan, a grand kite-flying festival. The skies become a colorful canvas as people of all ages gather on rooftops, flying kites and shouting, “Kai Po Che!”. Special delicacies like undhiyu (a mixed vegetable dish) and chikki (sweet made with jaggery and peanuts) are prepared, adding a gastronomic delight to the festivities. The International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad draws participants from across the globe.
3. Tamil Nadu: Pongal 🫕
In Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Pongal, a four-day festival dedicated to the Sun God. The highlight is the preparation of the dish Pongal, made by boiling freshly harvested rice with milk and jaggery. Houses are decorated with kolam (traditional rangoli), and prayers are offered to thank nature for its bounty. Each day of Pongal holds special significance: Bhogi, Surya Pongal, Mattu Pongal, and Kannum Pongal.
4. Assam: Magh Bihu 🔥
In Assam, Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu signifies the end of the harvest season. Bonfires, known as Meji, are lit, around which people gather to offer prayers and enjoy traditional feasts. The festival is marked by the preparation of various rice-based dishes and sweets, as well as community feasting. Traditional games like buffalo fights add to the festive cheer.
5. West Bengal: Poush Sankranti 🌿
In West Bengal, the festival is known as Poush Sankranti. Special sweets called pithe and patishapta, made with rice flour, jaggery, and coconut, are prepared. Fairs and cultural performances are organized, and families come together to celebrate the harvest season. The use of date palm jaggery in sweets is a distinct feature of the Bengal Sankranti celebration.
6. Bihar & Rajasthan: Kite Festivals 🪁
In Bihar and Rajasthan, Makar Sankranti is synonymous with kite flying. People gather on rooftops to compete in kite battles while enjoying traditional sweets like tilkut (sesame seed and jaggery sweets) and laddoos. The festive vibe is contagious as the skies fill with vibrant kites, symbolizing joy and freedom.
7. Odisha: Makara Sankranti 🌞
In Odisha, the festival is known as Makara Sankranti. People prepare a special dish called Makara Chaula, made with uncooked newly harvested rice, banana, coconut, and jaggery, which is offered to the deities. Devotees take holy dips in rivers and visit temples to seek blessings for prosperity.
8. Karnataka: Sankranti 🌱
In Karnataka, Sankranti is celebrated with the exchange of ellunde (sesame and jaggery sweets) and sakkare achu (sugar figurines). Women wear traditional attire and exchange sweets as a symbol of friendship and goodwill. Cattle are adorned and worshipped as part of the celebrations, showcasing the deep agricultural roots of the festival.
Unique Customs and Festive Vibes
Apart from the regional variations, Makar Sankranti is marked by certain common customs across India:
- Kite Flying: A shared tradition in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Bihar, symbolizing the ascension of the Sun.
- Bonfires: Integral to Lohri in Punjab and Magh Bihu in Assam, representing warmth and the end of winter.
- Traditional Sweets: Sesame seeds and jaggery-based sweets are common across states, symbolizing togetherness and goodwill.
- Holy Dips: Many devotees take holy dips in rivers like the Ganges, Yamuna, and Godavari, believing it will cleanse their sins.
A Celebration of Unity in Diversity
Makar Sankranti is more than just a harvest festival; it is a celebration of India’s rich cultural diversity. Despite the varied customs and traditions, the underlying theme of gratitude and joy remains constant across the country. This festival brings people together, transcending regional boundaries and fostering a sense of unity.
So, whether you’re flying kites in Gujarat, dancing around bonfires in Punjab, or savoring sweet pongal in Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti offers a beautiful glimpse into India’s vibrant cultural tapestry.
Celebrate the Festive Spirit with Tripgyani! This Makar Sankranti, immerse yourself in the diverse traditions and festive vibes across India. Share your favorite Sankranti memories with us, and let’s rejoice in the spirit of togetherness!
