Makar Sankranti 2024: History And Foods In Different States

Hello everyone! It's 2024, and what better way to start the new year than with Makar Sankranti - a festival filled with flavours and positive vibes? January 14th is celebrated yearly as a harvest festival or Makar Sankranti. On this day, the sun marks its zodiac travel from Sagittarius to Capricorn.

It is celebrated in the Indian subcontinent with different names but with the same joy and happiness. The north Indian people pay tribute to God, fly kites in various regions and eat sweets made of Til (sesame seeds) and jaggery, while in South Indian states, it is celebrated as Pongal by enjoying the Jallikattu event. 

This blog explores the rich history of this festival and accounts for different types of special delicacies that take the celebration to the next level! Read on to know how Makar Sankranti is celebrated all over India!

Table Of Contents

1. What Is Makar Sankranti?

2. Why Makar Sankranti Is Celebrated On 14th January?

3. How Is Makar Sankranti Celebrated All Over India?

4. What Are The Different Names of Makar Sankranti?

5. The Final Say

6. FAQs

7. References

What Is Makar Sankranti?

Makar Sankranti is the only Hindu festival that is celebrated every year on 14th January. It is based on the solar calendar rather than the lunar calendar and is known for celebrating the sun's journey from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere, signifying the end of the winter season. 

Well, Makar means "Capricorn'', and Sankranti means "change" and during this time, the transition of the Sun takes place from Sagittarius to Capricorn.

Not only this, Makar Sankranti also marks the beginning of the harvest season in various parts of India, where new crops are worshipped and shared with delight. People give each other gifts on this occasion, especially sweets made from sesame seeds, moong gram, rice and jaggery.

Also Read: Sugar-Free Makar Sankranti Special Protein Laddu Recipe For A Healthy Start

Why Makar Sankranti Is Celebrated On 14th January?

You might need clarification as to why this festival is celebrated only on 14 January yearly. Well, this is the only Hindu festival celebrated according to the solar cycle and follows the exact astronomical event of the Sun entering Capricorn. This event usually falls on 14 January of the Gregorian calendar but on 15 January in leap years.

Moreover, the stories of Makar Sankranti are related to the victory of justice over injustice. It is believed that Lord Shani, who had a poor relationship with his father, Lord Surya, reconciled with him on this day. 

Another scripture states that on this day, Lord Vishnu defeated a demon, symbolising the end of negativity. The gods consider this day as the beginning of their year, with Uttarayan (6 months) as daytime and Dakhshinayan (6 months) as night. The day is ideal for meditation, charity, and bathing in holy rivers.

How Is Makar Sankranti Celebrated All Over India?

The different regions of India celebrate Makar Sankranti in different ways. Let us explore each:

1. Makar Sankranti In North India

Makar Sankranti is known by different names in north Indian states like Lohri (Punjab), khichdi (UP and Bihar), Uttarayan (Gujarat and Delhi), and Sakraant (Himachal Pradesh and Haryana). It holds immense significance, marking the end of winter and the beginning of longer days, harvest season and worship of Surya Dev (Sun God).

Some Key Traditions 

• Bonfire and Lohri dance: Usually, people of Punjab celebrate this festival by praying to God and celebrating the arrival of spring by dancing around the bonfire. 

• Kite flying: One of the key attractions of this festival across North India, especially in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, signifies soaring hopes and aspirations in the new year.

• Sweets and gifts: The north Indian women make sweets, especially laddoos of til (sesame seeds) and jaggery. 

Special North Indian Food And Sweets To Eat In Makar Sankranti

Also Read: Makar Sankranti: Delicious Foods And Healthy Laddu Recipe

2. Makar Sankranti In South India

In the south, Sankranti is celebrated as the harvest festival of Pongal for four days. Some key traditions of Makar Sankranti in South India are:

• Bhogi Pongal: On this day, cleaning and discarding old things and buying new earthenware pots are done, symbolising a fresh beginning.

• Surya Pongal: On the second day of Pongal, people offer prayers to the Sun God (Surya) for a bountiful harvest and offer sweet dishes made of rice and jaggery.

• Maattu Pongal: The third day is dedicated to cattles. They are decorated and worshipped, and some communities also celebrate Jallikattu, a festival celebrating the performance of bulls

• Kaanum Pongal: On the last day, the people visit fields and enjoy picnics. Family gatherings are held, and traditional games are played.

Special South Indian Food And Sweets To Eat In Makar Sankranti

Also Read: Ellu Seeds (Black Sesame Seeds): Health Benefits To Know

3. Makar Sankranti In Western India

Sankranti is celebrated enthusiastically in Western India and is called "Uttarayan". 

It is celebrated for two days in Gujarat on the 14th of January as Uttarayana, and the 15th of January as Vasi-Uttarayana. Kite flying competitions are held in communities across the state, where everyone competes with everyone else with their kite. 

In Maharashtra, people exchange til-gul (sweets made from sesame seeds and jaggery), while married women invite friends/family members to celebrate Haldi-Kunku.  In Goa, newly married women offer five sunghats or small clay pots to the deity with black beaded threads tied around them.

Special West Indian Food And Sweets To Eat In Makar Sankranti

4. Makar Sankranti In Eastern India

Makar Sankranti is celebrated for a week in Eastern India. In these regions, this event is called Magh Bihu and marks the end of the harvest season. Tekeli-Bonga and bullfighting are also held on the festival day. 

Rice cakes and laru (coconut sweets) are popular foods. Young people often set up Mejia or small tents to celebrate, only to be torn down the next day.

Special East Indian Food And Sweets To Eat In Makar Sankranti

What Are The Different Names of Makar Sankranti?

Makar Sankranti is enthusiastically celebrated all around the Indian subcontinent by different names. Let us know them all:

The Final Say

To end this blog about Makar Sankranti and its importance— let’s recount that this is a joyous and meaningful Hindu festival celebrated with enthusiasm across India. This auspicious occasion marks the beginning of a new harvest season and is a time for new beginnings. 

The festival is celebrated with a variety of customs and traditions, such as kite flying, eating sweets, and performing prayers and rituals. It is also a time to reflect on the victory of justice over injustice. 

Exploring the different ways of celebrating and trying out the traditional foods is an important aspect of this festival. Overall, Makar Sankranti is a time for celebration, reflection, and new beginnings, and is a significant festival in the Hindu calendar.

FAQs

1. Are Makar Sankranti and Lohri the same thing? 

The same festival is celebrated throughout India but is known by different names. Lohri in the north, Pongal in the south and Makar Sankranti in the west. In Gujarat, it is known as Uttarayan. This is the same holiday throughout. 

2. What are the dos and don'ts of Makar Sankranti? 

During Makar Sankranti, you can enjoy fishing, bathing, donating clothes and food, exchanging gifts, and participating in festivals. It is generally recommended to avoid eating onions, garlic, and heavy foods that night to prevent digestive issues.

3. When is Makar Sankranti 2024? 

This year, Makar Sankranti falls on Sunday, January 15, 2024. 

4. Why do we celebrate Makar Sankranti? 

Makar Sankranti, celebrated in many parts of India, marks a new beginning as the sun lengthens the days. Makar Sankranti is also known as the harvest festival. 

5. Is it important to take a bath on Makar Sankranti? 

Yes, as the festival marks the new beginning, it is important to take sacred baths in auspicious rivers such as Ganga and Yamuna. 

6. Why is makar sankranti celebrated on 14th January?

This is because it is regulated by the solar cycle and the astronomical events 

that usually fall on 14 January of the Gregorian calendar but on 15 January in leap years.

References

• Makar Sankranti: Reaping the Benefits of the Season

• Makar Sankranti - Maheronline

• Makar Sankranti – Significance of The Festival as Per The Vedic Era

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