The Colorful Celebration of Sankranthi Festival Across India - Sri Prassana Veeranjaneya Swamy Temple

Sankranthi, also known as Makar Sankranti, is one of the most prominent festivals celebrated in India. This harvest festival marks the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makara), symbolizing the end of the winter solstice and the onset of longer days. Sankranthi is celebrated with different names and traditions across various regions of India, reflecting the country’s rich cultural diversity. This blog will take you on a journey through the various regional celebrations of Sankranthi, exploring the unique customs, rituals, and festivities that make this festival a joyous occasion for millions.

The Essence of Sankranthi

Sankranthi is celebrated on January 14th or 15th each year, depending on the solar cycle. It is a time of thanksgiving to nature for bountiful harvests and a period of auspicious beginnings. The festival is marked by various activities, including flying kites, preparing traditional sweets, bonfires, and cultural performances. While the essence of the festival remains the same, its name and manner of celebration vary from state to state.

Makar Sankranti in North India

Uttar Pradesh and Bihar

In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, Makar Sankranti is celebrated with great fervor. Known as ‘Khichdi’ in this region, the festival is marked by the preparation of a dish called khichdi, made from rice and lentils. Devotees take holy dips in rivers like the Ganges to cleanse themselves of sins and make offerings of sesame seeds and jaggery. The significance of sesame and jaggery lies in their warmth-inducing properties, which are essential during the cold winter months.

Punjab – Lohri

In Punjab, Sankranthi is celebrated as Lohri, a festival that marks the end of winter and the arrival of longer days. Lohri is traditionally associated with the harvest of sugarcane, and the festival is celebrated by lighting bonfires, singing folk songs, and dancing to the beats of the dhol. People throw sesame seeds, popcorn, and puffed rice into the bonfire as a tribute to the fire god. Lohri holds special significance for newlyweds and newborns, who are given special attention and blessings during the celebrations.

Himachal Pradesh – Magha Saaji

In Himachal Pradesh, Makar Sankranti is known as Magha Saaji, signifying the start of the month of Magha. The day is marked by a community feast where people come together to share meals and sweets. Traditional dances and music performances are an integral part of the festivities. People in the state also take ritualistic baths in rivers and visit temples to offer prayers.

Pongal in Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu, Sankranthi is celebrated as Pongal, a four-day festival that is one of the most important in the Tamil calendar. The word ‘Pongal’ means ‘to boil,’ and the festival is named after the dish prepared by boiling rice with milk and jaggery. The four days of Pongal are Bhogi, Thai Pongal, Mattu Pongal, and Kaanum Pongal.

• Bhogi Pongal: The first day of Pongal, known as Bhogi, is dedicated to Lord Indra, the god of rain. People discard old belongings and light bonfires to signify a fresh start.
• Thai Pongal: The second day is the main day of Pongal, celebrated by boiling rice with milk and jaggery in new pots until it overflows, symbolizing abundance. The Sun God is worshipped, and the dish is offered as prasad.
• Mattu Pongal: The third day is dedicated to cattle, especially bulls, which play a crucial role in agriculture. Cattle are bathed, decorated, and worshipped. Jallikattu, a traditional bull-taming sport, is also held on this day.
• Kaanum Pongal: The final day, Kaanum Pongal, is a day for socializing and family reunions. People visit relatives and friends, and various cultural events are organized.

Makar Sankranti in Gujarat and Maharashtra

Gujarat – Uttarayan

In Gujarat, Makar Sankranti is known as Uttarayan, a festival synonymous with kite flying. The skies are filled with colorful kites of all shapes and sizes as people compete to cut each other’s kites. The rooftops and terraces are bustling with activity, and the festival has a vibrant and energetic atmosphere. Special foods like undhiyu (a mixed vegetable dish) and chikki (a sweet made from sesame seeds and jaggery) are prepared and shared among family and friends.

Maharashtra

In Maharashtra, Makar Sankranti is marked by the exchange of sweets made from sesame seeds and jaggery, such as tilgul and tilache ladoo. The exchange of these sweets is accompanied by the phrase “Tilgul ghya, goad goad bola,” which means “Accept these sweets and speak sweet words.” Women dress in black sarees, as black is considered to absorb heat and provide warmth during the cold season. Haldi-kumkum ceremonies are held, where married women exchange haldi (turmeric) and kumkum (vermilion) as a symbol of their married status.

Magh Bihu in Assam

In Assam, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu, a festival that marks the end of the harvest season. The celebrations begin on the eve of Magh Bihu, known as Uruka, with a community feast. People build temporary huts called mejis and bhelaghars from bamboo and thatch, where they cook and share meals. The next morning, the mejis are burnt, and people pray to the fire god. Traditional Assamese games like tekeli bhonga (pot-breaking) and buffalo fighting are organized, and various delicacies like pitha (rice cakes) and laru (sweet balls) are prepared.

Makara Sankramana in Karnataka

In Karnataka, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Makara Sankramana. The festival is marked by the exchange of ellu-bella, a mixture of sesame seeds, jaggery, coconut, and peanuts. This exchange symbolizes the wish for a healthy and sweet year ahead. Women decorate their houses with rangoli (colorful patterns drawn on the ground) and exchange sugarcane sticks and haldi-kumkum with other married women. Special dishes like sakkare achu (sugar figurines) and pongal (a sweet rice dish) are prepared and offered to the gods.

Poush Sankranti in West Bengal

In West Bengal, the festival is known as Poush Sankranti, named after the Bengali month of Poush. The festival is marked by the preparation of various traditional sweets called pithe, made from rice flour, jaggery, and coconut. The day is also significant for the Ganga Sagar Mela, a large fair held at the confluence of the Ganges and the Bay of Bengal, where thousands of pilgrims take a holy dip. The celebrations also include kite flying, fairs, and cultural performances.

Uttarayani in Uttarakhand

In Uttarakhand, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Uttarayani. The festival is marked by fairs and markets where people buy and sell various goods. The Bageshwar fair, one of the largest in the state, attracts a large number of visitors. Devotees take holy dips in rivers and offer prayers to the deities. Traditional Kumaoni songs and dances are performed, and special dishes like khichdi and til laddoos are prepared.

Conclusion

Sankranthi is a festival that transcends regional boundaries, bringing people together in a celebration of nature’s bounty and the promise of new beginnings. Whether it is called Lohri in Punjab, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Uttarayan in Gujarat, or Bhogali Bihu in Assam, the essence of the festival remains the same – a time for gratitude, joy, and community bonding. The diverse customs and traditions associated with Sankranthi across India reflect the country’s rich cultural tapestry and the harmonious coexistence of different communities. As we celebrate this festival, let us embrace the spirit of unity and shared heritage that Sankranthi represents, and look forward to a year filled with prosperity and happiness.