Imagine clear skies filled with colorful kites, the scent of sweet treats, and families coming together to celebrate. This is the essence of Makar Sankranti, a joyous festival marking the end of winter and the beginning of a new harvest season.
What is Makar Sankranti?
Makar Sankranti is a vibrant festival that has significant meaning for Hindus across India and Nepal. It marks the sun's transition, or Sankranti, into the zodiac sign of Makara (Capricorn), which symbolizes the end of the winter and the beginning of longer days.
This transition, called Makara Sankranti, signifies the end of the Sun's southward journey (Dakshinayan) and the beginning of its northward journey (Uttarayan).
Makar Sankranti's direct connection to the solar cycle sets it apart. Unlike many other Hindu festivals, which are based on the lunar calendar, Makar Sankranti follows the solar calendar. Thus, it falls on the same date every year, mostly on January 14th or 15th.
Significance of Makar Sankranti
- Light over Darkness: The change from Dakshinayan to Uttarayan symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.
- Association with Sun God: In Hinduism, the God of the Sun (Surya) is worshipped and considered the origin of life and energy. Makar Sankranti is one of the festivals celebrated in honor of the Sun God as a sign of gratitude for the blessings received from him.
- New Beginnings: The northbound journey of the Sun is the Time of New Beginnings, new starts, and hope. It's the time to leave the past behind and enjoy new opportunities.
- Prosperity: Makar Sankranti often falls during the harvest season and hence, prosperity, abundance, and gratitude towards nature's bounties are also dedicated to this festival. Consumption of sesame seeds and jaggery is symbolic of good fortune and wealth.
- End of Winter: Makar Sankranti represents the slow end to winter and the welcoming of warmer days. This often comes with celebrations, marking the return of sunshine, warmth, and new life.
- Cultural Significance: The festival is celebrated with diverse regional customs and traditions, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of India and Nepal. From kite flying in Gujarat to making special sweets with sesame and jaggery, each region has its unique way of marking this auspicious occasion.
Diverse Celebrations of Makar Sankranti Across India
Makar Sankranti is celebrated across India with multiple regional customs and traditions, showcasing the country's rich cultural diversity. Each region adds its unique flavor to the festivities, making the festival more joyful.
However, the core significance remains the same. Some regions focus on kite flying, others on bonfires, and others on specific culinary traditions.
Popular Regional Customs
- Kite Flying: In Gujarat, Maharashtra, and parts of Rajasthan, Makar Sankranti is celebrated with kite flying. In these regions, multiple colors fill the skies as people of all ages engage in friendly kite battles. This tradition symbolizes reaching for new heights and celebrating the sun's upward journey.
- Bonfires: In North India, particularly Punjab and Haryana, bonfires are a central part of the celebrations. These bonfires, lit on the eve of Makar Sankranti (Lohri), symbolize the burning away of negativity and welcoming the warmth of the sun. People gather around the bonfires, sing folk songs, and share winter treats like Gajak and Revdi.
- Holy Dips: In many parts of India, people take holy dips in sacred rivers like the Ganges, Yamuna, and Godavari. This ritual is believed to cleanse the soul and bring good fortune.
Specific Festivals Connected to Makar Sankranti
In different states of India, there are several distinct festivals that are closely associated with Makar Sankranti and are often celebrated on the same day. Such festivals include
- Pongal (Tamil Nadu): In Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Pongal, a four-day harvest festival dedicated to the Sun God. The main ritual involves cooking a special dish called "Pongal" made of rice, milk, and jaggery in a new earthen pot. This symbolizes abundance and prosperity.
- Lohri (Punjab): As mentioned earlier, Lohri is celebrated on the eve of Makar Sankranti in Punjab. It involves lighting bonfires, singing folk songs, and sharing winter treats. Lohri marks the end of winter and the beginning of longer days.
- Uttarayan (Gujarat): In Gujarat, the festival is referred to as Uttarayan, emphasizing the sun's northward journey. Kite flying is a major part of the celebrations, and the cities are filled with vibrant energy.
- Bhogali Bihu (Assam): In Assam, Makar Sankranti is known as Bhogali Bihu or Magh Bihu. It is a post-harvest festival marked by feasting, bonfires (Mejis), and traditional games. The focus is on enjoying the fruits of the harvest and celebrating community.
Traditional Dishes Prepared During the Festival
During Makar Sankranti, several dishes are prepared, and these vary from region to region. However, all the dishes follow a common theme and ingredients.
Sesame seeds, jaggery, and other seasonal ingredients used:
- Til or Sesame Seeds: Sesame seeds always top most recipes around Makar Sankranti. They are considered auspicious and are believed to provide warmth and energy during the winter months, adding a rich dose of calcium and iron to the body.
- Jaggery (Gur): Jaggery is another essential used in most of the recipes. It is an unrefined sugar made from either sugarcane or palm sap. Jaggery acts as a natural sweetener and is a very good source of iron.
- Other Seasonal Ingredients: Other seasonal ingredients used in dishes prepared for Makar Sankranti include peanuts, puffed rice, and green grams with various winter vegetables. Such ingredients are more readily available during this time of the year and richen the nutritional value of the foods served during the festivals.
Some Popular Sweet Treats and Savoury Snacks
- Tilgul (Maharashtra): This sweet made of sesame seeds and jaggery is very popular. It is usually given with the saying "Tilgul ghya, god god bola" meaning “take tilgul and speak sweet words” focusing on the outcome of good relations.
- Til Ke Laddu (North India): Round balls made of sesame seeds, jaggery, and sometimes peanuts. It is one of those common treats distributed during the festival.
- Peanut Chikki/Gajak (North India): This popular winter snack made of peanuts and jaggery is distributed during the festival.
- Pongal (Tamil Nadu): Rice, milk, and jaggery-coated dish cooked in a new earthen vessel. It represents prosperity.
- Makara Chaula (Odisha): Rice, jaggery, grated coconut, banana, and other fruits mixed. It is presented before the god and distributed as prasad.
- Pati Shapta (Bengal): Silky thin pancakes are filled with sweet coconut and jaggery stuffing.
- Undhiyu (Gujarat): It is a delicious and healthy mixed vegetable dish prepared in an earthen pot. It is often prepared with seasonal winter vegetables.
- Khichdi (Various Regions): A rice and lentil-based dish. It is prepared with vegetables and spices. It is a simple yet nourishing dish that is consumed during the festival.
Conclusion
Makar Sankranti is more than just a festival; it is a celebration of life, nature, and community, showing the rich cultural heritage of different traditions, rituals, and delicacies.
The festival represents the spirit of prosperity, new beginnings, and togetherness. Across India people celebrate this festival in different ways; from flying kites to bonfires and enjoying delicious seasonal treats, like Til Laddu and Pongal.
These divorce regional celebrations across India enhance the beauty of the festival, show India’s vast and vibrant cultural heritage, and how people come together to celebrate a festival.
We wish you a very happy and prosperous Makar Sankranti! Explore our products on our website and celebrate the season with us.
