Makar Sankranti is a popular and auspicious festival celebrated in several states of India around mid-January. While it is widely known as Makar Sankranti, it is celebrated by different names in various states: Maghi in Punjab, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Makara Vilakku in Kerala, Uttarayan in Gujarat, Magh Bihu in the North East, and Pousha Sankranti in West Bengal. This festival is also celebrated outside India, in countries like Nepal, Thailand, and Cambodia. Although the Makar Sankranti festival celebrates the harvest season in different states, one common feature is the sight of colorful kites in the sky and preparing delicious sweets using jaggery and sesame seeds.
What is the Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival that marks the sun's movement into the zodiac sign of Capricorn. “Makar” known as Capricorn, and “Sankranti” denotes the movement of the sun into a new celestial orbit. Makar Sankranti 2025 will come around January 14th after Lohri each year which signifies the end of the long winter. On this day, people worship the Lord Sun God and celebrate the beginning of the harvest season.
Why do we celebrate Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti Hindu festival is celebrated by the agricultural community as they celebrate their harvest. Farmers thank nature for a good harvest and to welcome prosperity. It is among the few festivals in India that is celebrated according to the solar cycle instead of the lunar cycle. Here are some reasons why it is important:
- Harvest Festival: Makar Sankranti is a harvest festival, where farmers celebrate the gathering of the winter harvest mostly in rural India. Farmers thank the Lord Sun and the Earth for a good crop and show their gratitude.
- Religious Importance: On this festival, people purify their minds and bodies, and take holy dips in rivers (especially the Ganga) to cleanse their sins.
- Cultural Celebrations: Makar Sankranti celebrated in different states of India with different names is marked by various regional traditions such as flying kites, dancing (like in Gujarat's Uttarayan), cooking traditional foods, and celebrating in their unique ways that promote unity.
What’s Makar Sankranti festival history
Makar Sankranti is an ancient Hindu festival that is celebrated by blending tradition with agricultural importance. As per our ancestors, Makar Sankranti festival history, and it is also mentioned in various Hindu scriptures, including the Puranas, which celebrate the Sun's transition into the zodiac sign Capricorn (Makar).
As per Hindu religion, Makar Sankranti draws inspiration from Hindu mythology. Legends believe that on this day, Lord Vishnu defeated the demon Sankarasura which showed victory over evil power. Devotees worship Lord Vishnu through prayers, and rituals, and visit religious places to take dip into holy rivers to cleanse their sins. It is also mentioned that during Mahabharata Bhishma Pitamah leaves his mortal body on this day, which is also significant in this history.
Over time, Makar Sankranti has expanded across India and other countries and is celebrated like other celebrations that blend religious, cultural, and agricultural traditions with regional customs.
As per Hindu religion, Makar Sankranti draws inspiration from Hindu mythology. Legends believe that on this day, Lord Vishnu defeated the demon Sankarasura which showed victory over evil power. Devotees worship Lord Vishnu through prayers, and rituals, and visit religious places to take dip into holy rivers to cleanse their sins. It is also mentioned that during Mahabharata Bhishma Pitamah leaves his mortal body on this day, which is also significant in this history.
Over time, Makar Sankranti has expanded across India and other countries and is celebrated like other celebrations that blend religious, cultural, and agricultural traditions with regional customs.
How is Makar Sankranti celebrated
People celebrate Makar Sankranti in different exciting ways and enjoy joyful activities with family and friends. The sky is crowded with colorful kites, which is the most enjoyable activity for kids and youngsters with their loved ones. Women prepare traditional sweets made with jaggery and sesame seeds, called Til laddoos, and share them with neighbors and family as a gesture of goodwill and happiness. Apart from this, people take a holy dip in rivers and offer prayers to Lord Sun. In some parts of India, folk dances are performed around bonfires to add cheer to the occasion.
Makar Sankranti decor ideas for home
Decoration for Makar Sankranti brings positive or festive vibes and cultural charm to your home. People make vibrant rangoli designs at home entrances with bright colors, rice, and flower petals. How can we forget about kites? You can add colorful kites as a décor item and can hang them on walls to feel the spirit of the festival.
Use fairy lights and lanterns to brighten your home which creates a welcoming atmosphere. You can use traditional elements like earthen lamps, brass utensils, or decorative sugarcane sticks for a traditional touch. Place a big bowl of pooja ghar which is filled with sesame seeds and jaggery sweets to experience the festive feel.
Use fairy lights and lanterns to brighten your home which creates a welcoming atmosphere. You can use traditional elements like earthen lamps, brass utensils, or decorative sugarcane sticks for a traditional touch. Place a big bowl of pooja ghar which is filled with sesame seeds and jaggery sweets to experience the festive feel.
What are the traditional foods of Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is celebrated with a variety of traditional foods across India that reflect the diversity of different states. On this day, sweets made from sesame seeds and jaggery, such as Til Laddoos and Tilgul which are mostly you can find across India represent warmth and goodwill.
In Tamil Nadu, Pongal rice is a sweet dish made with rice, jaggery, and ghee, which is a prominent dish of the Makar Sankranti Hindu festival. Gujarat enjoys Undhiyu, which is a mixture of vegetable dishes. In North Indian states, people celebrate Makar Sankranti with sarson ka saag and makki ki roti. Pithe is a famous dish in West Bengal which is made from rice flour and jaggery. These authentic foods from different regions not only celebrate the harvest but also provide energy and warmth during the winter season.
In Tamil Nadu, Pongal rice is a sweet dish made with rice, jaggery, and ghee, which is a prominent dish of the Makar Sankranti Hindu festival. Gujarat enjoys Undhiyu, which is a mixture of vegetable dishes. In North Indian states, people celebrate Makar Sankranti with sarson ka saag and makki ki roti. Pithe is a famous dish in West Bengal which is made from rice flour and jaggery. These authentic foods from different regions not only celebrate the harvest but also provide energy and warmth during the winter season.
