Makar Sankranti is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India, marking the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn, or ‘Makara.’ This festival is observed every year and it symbolises the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of longer, warmer days. In 2025, Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on January 14, and the day is set to bring celebration of cultural traditions across the country.
The significance of Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti holds great astronomical and spiritual significance. It is a festival that celebrates the Sun’s northward journey, known as ‘Uttarayan,’ which signifies the increase of light and positivity in life.
According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that taking a holy dip in sacred rivers like the Ganges, Yamuna, or Godavari during this time cleanses one of sins and leads to spiritual growth. The festival also marks the beginning of the harvest season, a time of prosperity for farmers across India.
How is Makar Sankranti celebrated across India?
Punjab: Lohri
In Punjab, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Lohri, a harvest festival that honors the hard work of farmers. Families gather around a bonfire in the evening, offering sesame seeds, jaggery, and popcorn while singing traditional folk songs. It is a day of feasting, dancing, and joy.
Gujarat: Kite festival (Uttarayan)
In Gujarat, Makar Sankranti is synonymous with Uttarayan, the famous Kite Festival. The skies are filled with vibrant, colorful kites as people compete to cut each other’s strings. Special dishes like undhiyu (a mixed vegetable dish) and sesame sweets are prepared to mark the occasion.
Tamil Nadu: Pongal
In Tamil Nadu, the festival is celebrated as Pongal, a four-day-long harvest festival. The second day, called Thai Pongal, is dedicated to cooking the dish Pongal, made with freshly harvested rice, jaggery, and milk. Houses are decorated with beautiful kolams (rangoli), and prayers are offered to the Sun God for a bountiful harvest.
Maharashtra: Sharing of tilgul
In Maharashtra, people exchange tilgul (sesame and jaggery sweets) with the phrase ‘Tilgul ghya ani goad goad bola,’ which translates to ‘Take this sweet and speak sweetly.’ Families prepare puran poli and sesame ladoos, emphasising the spirit of unity and harmony.
West Bengal: Ganga sagar mela
In West Bengal, Makar Sankranti is marked by the Ganga Sagar Mela, where thousands of devotees gather at the confluence of the Ganges and the Bay of Bengal to take a holy dip. This act is believed to purify the soul and bring blessings from the divine. West Bengal: Ganga sagar mela.
Traditional sweets of Sankranti across India
Food and festival go hand in hand in India and celebration of Makar Sankranti is no exception. Across India, sweets made of sesame seeds and jaggery are a common delicacy. In North India, people enjoy gajak, rewri, and til laddoos. Down south, dishes like Pongal and sugarcane juice take center stage. These foods not only signify the bounty of the harvest but also provide the necessary warmth and energy during winter.
Makar Sankranti transcends regional and cultural boundaries, bringing people together in celebration. It is a day to express gratitude for nature’s abundance, foster community bonds, and embrace new beginnings. This year, like every other year, Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on January 14, 2025.
