Makar Sankranti, one of the oldest festivals in India, traces its roots to Vedic times. It marks the sun‘s transition into the zodiac sign Capricorn (Makara) and the end of the winter solstice.
Celebrated as a harvest festival, it signifies the sun’s northward journey (Uttarayana), bringing longer days and prosperity. References to the festival can be found in ancient texts like the Mahabharata and Puranas. It commemorates Surya (the Sun God) and is considered auspicious for new beginnings, charity, and community bonding.
The festival’s significance in India transcends time, blending spiritual, cultural, and agricultural traditions. This year, in 2025, Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on January 14.
Here is a glimpse of celebrations Across India:
North India
- Punjab: The harvest festival of Lohri falls on the same day as Makar Sankranti in Punjab. In addition to enjoying dishes like Sarson ka Saag, Makki di Roti, rewri, and peanuts, people light bonfires and dance to traditional music. It’s a time for happiness and neighbourhood get-togethers.
- Uttar Pradesh: A rice and lentil meal called khichdi is prepared to commemorate the event. At sacred rivers like the Ganges, people also conduct ceremonies and distribute til-gud, or sweets made with sesame and jaggery.
Western India
- Gujarat and Rajasthan: Celebrated with tremendous fervor, both states are well-known for their vibrant kite celebrations. Kites light up the skies, while friends and family exchange treats like chikkis and til-papdi. Gujarat’s highlights are the Uttarayan festival comprising kite flying and a hearty meal comprising the slow-cooked vegetable mix known as Undhiyu.
- Maharashtra: Women show hospitality by exchanging haldi-kumkum and tilgul — sweets made with sesame and jaggery. The spirit of harmony is embodied in the words “Tilgul ghya, god god bola.” (greeting referring to sweets following sweet dialect)
Eastern India
- Bihar and Jharkhand: The event is called Khichdi, and the food of the same name is a mainstay. Another well-liked snack is Tilkut, which is prepared with sesame and jaggery. Giving to charity and taking a bath in a sacred river are common rituals in this region.
Southern India
- West Bengal: Known as Poush Sankranti, the event is well-known for its sweet treats, which include pithe, patishapta, and payesh. These are cooked with rice, coconut, and date palm jaggery. It is a time to celebrate family ties and agricultural practices.
- Tamil Nadu: Known as Pongal, this four-day celebration has a special meaning for each day. One of the main rituals is making Sakkarai Pongal, a sweet rice delicacy. Families give appreciation to nature and adorn their homes with kolams, or rangoli.
- Telangana and Andhra Pradesh: The celebration includes traditional foods like Murukku and Ariselu as well as vibrant rangolis. Cattle are worshipped as part of the festivities.
- Karnataka: As a token of goodwill, Elu-Bella, a concoction of peanuts, coconut, jaggery, and sesame seeds, is given out. Sugar figures known as Sakkare Achchu and Pongal meals are also well-liked.
Northeastern India
- Assam: Celebrated as Magh Bihu, the festival emphasizes community feasts, bonfires, and traditional sweets like Pithas and Laru. It’s a time of joy, marking the end of the harvest season.
- other Northeastern States: In Meghalaya and Tripura, local variations of rice-based dishes and community gatherings reflect the region’s cultural diversity.
Traditional Practices
Across India, certain traditions are universally followed during Makar Sankranti:
Kite Flying: Symbolizing freedom and festivity, kite flying is a popular activity in western and northern India.
- Ritual Baths: Taking a dip in holy rivers is considered auspicious, as it is believed to cleanse one’s sins. The Mahakumbh, one of the holiest bathing ceremonies, is occurring this Makar Sankranti at Prayagraj (Kanpur) after 144 years. Read more about it here.
- Charity: Donating food, clothes, and other essentials to the needy is a common practice, emphasizing the values of sharing and compassion.
The Bottom Line
Makar Sankranti is more than just a festival; it’s a celebration of life, nature, and community. With its myriad regional flavours and traditions, it exemplifies the cultural richness of India.
From the kite-filled skies of Gujarat to the sweet-filled kitchens of West Bengal, Makar Sankranti is a festival that unites the nation through joy, gratitude, and the promise of new beginnings. Share with us in comments what marked your Makar Sankranti in 2025.
