Makar Sankranti, one of the festivals celebrated with great fervour in India, observes the sun’s transition into the Capricorn zodiac sign, signalling the conclusion of the winter solstice. Celebrated with zeal and enthusiasm across India, this vibrant harvest festival showcases diverse traditions, customs, and culinary delights in different states and even transcends borders to be observed in other countries.
Makar Sankranti: A Festive Touch to Your Home
As families come together to celebrate Makar Sankranti, the festival brings a unique touch to homes across India. Traditional decorations, vibrant rangolis, and the exchange of sweets add a warm and joyous atmosphere to households. The spirit of Makar Sankranti resonates within the walls of homes, creating a sense of togetherness and cultural richness.
Rangolis and Decorations
Colourful rangolis adorn homes, showcasing intricate designs that symbolise prosperity and good luck. The vibrant patterns, often created with rice flour or coloured powders, add a festive touch to the entrance of homes.
Traditional Cuisine
The aroma of traditional dishes fills the air as families come together to prepare special Makar Sankranti delicacies. The exchange of tilgul and other homemade sweets becomes a delightful tradition, adding sweetness to the festivities.
DIY Home Decor
Families often engage in do-it-yourself (DIY) home decor projects, creating items like handmade torans(door hangings) and decorative kites. These personalised touches infuse a sense of creativity and tradition into the home environment.
Cultural Crafts
Makar Sankranti provides an excellent opportunity to engage in cultural crafts. Families may create their own kites, adding a personalised and artistic element to the decor. Handcrafted items contribute to the festive ambience and create lasting memories.
Makar Sankranti in Various States of India
Uttar Pradesh
In the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, Makar Sankranti is celebrated with grandeur. The sacred city of Allahabad sees a vast crowd of pilgrims who take a plunge into the meeting point of the rivers Ganga, Saraswati, and Yamuna, known as Triveni Sangam.
This ritual is believed to cleanse sins and ensure spiritual purity.
Gujarat
In Gujarat, the festival is synonymous with the International Kite Festival. The skies become a canvas of colourful kites as enthusiasts engage in friendly competitions. The vibrant atmosphere, traditional music, and sumptuous Gujarati delicacies add to the festive charm.
Maharashtra
Maharashtrians celebrate Makar Sankranti as ‘Makar Sankrant’ with the exchange of tilgul (sesame and jaggery sweets) and the utterance of the phrase “Tilgulghya, god god bola” (Take tilgul and speak sweetly). In rural areas, traditional sports like bullock cart races and kite flying competitions are common.
Tamil Nadu
In Tamil Nadu, the festival is recognised as Pongal and is celebrated over four days. Families come together to cook the first harvest of the season in a clay pot, symbolising abundance and prosperity. The highlight is the preparation of the Pongal dish, a sweet rice pudding.
Assam
In Assam, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Bhogali Bihu. The festival is marked by community feasts, traditional Assamese games, and the building of makeshift huts called ‘Mejis,’ where people gather to socialise and share the harvest.
Rajasthan
In Rajasthan, the festival is celebrated as Makar Sankrant or Uttarayan, with kite flying and the exchange of traditional sweets. Colourful kites adorn the skies in cities like Jaipur, creating a spectacular sight.
Karnataka
Known as Sankranthi, the festival involves the preparation of a special dish called “Ellu Bella,” a mixture of sesame seeds, jaggery, coconut, and groundnuts. The day is marked by cultural events, music, and traditional dances.
Punjab
In Punjab, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Maghi. Devotees bathe in sacred waterways and pray at Gurudwaras. The festival is also associated with traditional Punjabi folk songs and dances.
Bihar
In Bihar, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Khichdi Parv. The day is marked by taking a holy dip in rivers, preparing a special dish of khichdi, and offering prayers. The day also symbolises the end of winter.
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
Known as Sankranti, the festival is celebrated with enthusiasm. People participate in traditional rangoli competitions, cook special dishes, and fly kites. The celebration often extends to three days, with the third day known as ‘Kanuma.’
Odisha
In Odisha, the festival is celebrated as ‘Makar Mela’ in various coastal areas. Pilgrims take a dip in the holy rivers, and fairs are organised where people indulge in traditional dance, music, and local delicacies.
Himachal Pradesh
In Himachal Pradesh, the festival is celebrated as Magha Saaji. People light bonfires and dance to traditional tunes. Special prayers are offered to seek blessings from God for a prosperous harvest.
Madhya Pradesh
Celebrated as Sukarat in parts of Madhya Pradesh, the festival involves the preparation of traditional dishes and the exchange of sesame and jaggery sweets. The day is marked by cultural events and kite flying.
West Bengal
Known as Poush Sankranti or Makar Sankranti, the festival is celebrated with devotion. People have a bath in holy rivers, fly kites, and relish traditional sweets. In some areas, fairs and cultural events are organised.
Jharkhand
Celebrated as TusuParab, the festival involves folk songs, traditional dances, and the worship of Goddess Tusu. Women gather to sing Tususongs and exchange Tusugeet (songs).
Kerala
In Kerala, the festival is known as ‘Makaravilakku.’ Devotees throng the Sabarimala temple, to witness the phenomenon of a celestial light known as Makara Jyothi illuminate the temple. Pilgrims consider it auspicious to witness this divine light.
Chhattisgarh
Celebrated as ‘Sakarat,’ the festival involves the exchange of tilgul and the preparation of special dishes. People gather for community feasts, cultural programs, and traditional dance performances.
Haryana
In Haryana, Makar Sankranti is celebrated with great enthusiasm. People take part in traditional activities like kite flying, bull races, and various cultural events.
Sikkim
In Sikkim, the festival is celebrated with prayers, cultural events, and the exchange of traditional foods. The scenic beauty of the state adds a unique charm to the festivities.
Manipur
Known as SajibuNongmaPanba, the festival in Manipur involves the preparation of special dishes and cultural events. People celebrate with traditional dances and prayers for a prosperous year.
Makar Sankranti Around the World
Nepal
In neighbouring Nepal, the festival is observed as Maghe Sankranti. Devotees take holy dips in rivers, and families assemble to share special meals. The day holds religious significance, and temples witness a surge in devotees seeking blessings.
Bangladesh
Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Shakrainor Poush Sankranti in Bangladesh. People fly kites and organise cultural events. Traditional sweets like pantabhat (fermented rice) are prepared, symbolizing the end of the harvesting season.
Thailand
The Thai festival of MakhaBucha, though not directly related, coincides with Makar Sankranti. Devotees in Thailand participate in candlelight processions around temples, reflecting on Buddhist teachings.
Nigeria
In Nigeria, the Yoruba people celebrate the festival as Oshoko, involving prayers, feasts, and the offering of the first fruits to deities. Traditional dances and cultural events are integral to the celebration.
Mauritius
Makar Sankranti, known as Pongal or Tai Pongal, is celebrated by the Tamil community in Mauritius. The festival involves prayers, traditional cooking, and the making of colourful kolam (rangoli) patterns.
Singapore
The Tamil community in Singapore celebrates Makar Sankranti with traditional rituals, prayers, and the preparation of special dishes. Community gatherings and cultural events are organised to mark the occasion.
Malaysia
The Tamil community in Malaysia celebrates Pongal, the equivalent of Makar Sankranti, with enthusiasm. Traditional rituals, cooking of special dishes, and cultural performances are part of the festivities.
Fiji
In Fiji, where a significant Indian diaspora resides, the Indo-Fijian community celebrates Makar Sankranti. The festival involves prayers, traditional cooking, and communal celebrations.
Conclusion
Makar Sankranti, with its diverse celebrations across various states in India and its resonance in international communities, underlines the cultural richness and global reach of this ancient harvest festival. Whether it’s the colourful kites in Gujarat, the holy dip in Allahabad, or the joyous gatherings in Singapore, Makar Sankranti serves as a unifying force, bringing people together to celebrate the bounty of nature and the spirit of community across borders.
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