Makar Sankranti is a unique festival that showcases the unity in diversity of India. Though the core significance remains the same—the Sun’s transition into Makar Rashi and the beginning of Uttarayan—each state celebrates it in its own traditional way, reflecting local culture, food, music, and customs.
Gujarat & Rajasthan – Uttarayan (Kite Festival)
In Gujarat and parts of Rajasthan, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Uttarayan. The sky is filled with colorful kites, symbolizing joy, freedom, and new hopes. Families gather on rooftops, enjoy traditional foods like undhiyu, jalebi, and chikki, and celebrate togetherness.
Uttar Pradesh & Bihar – Khichdi Parv
In North India, especially Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, this festival is known as Khichdi Parv. People take holy baths, worship the Sun, and prepare khichdi made from rice, lentils, and ghee. Donating khichdi and warm clothes to the needy is considered very auspicious.
Tamil Nadu – Pongal
In Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Pongal, a four-day harvest festival. The main ritual involves cooking fresh rice with milk and jaggery until it overflows, symbolizing abundance and prosperity. Farmers thank the Sun, cattle, and nature for a good harvest.
Assam – Magh Bihu
In Assam, the festival is known as Magh Bihu, marking the end of the harvesting season. People prepare traditional sweets like pitha and laru, light community bonfires, and celebrate with folk music and dances, showing gratitude for nature’s blessings.
Punjab & Haryana – Lohri
In Punjab and Haryana, Lohri is celebrated a day before Makar Sankranti. People gather around bonfires, sing folk songs, dance, and offer peanuts, rewri, and gajak to the fire. It celebrates harvest, warmth, and community bonding.
Maharashtra – Tilgul Festival
In Maharashtra, people exchange tilgul (sesame-jaggery sweets) and greet each other with the words “Tilgul ghya, god god bola”, meaning “accept this sweet and speak sweetly.” It promotes peace, kindness, and harmony.
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh & Telangana
In these states, people prepare Ellu Bella, a mixture of sesame seeds, jaggery, peanuts, and coconut, and share it with neighbors. Homes are decorated with rangoli, and prayers are offered for prosperity.
Message of Nationwide Celebration
Makar Sankranti celebrations across India teach us:
- Respect for nature and agriculture
- Value of togetherness and sharing
- Pride in India’s cultural diversity