Makar Sankranti festivals in India

Makar Sankranti festivals in India: One short glimpse

Monoswini Sarmah

 “Makar” refers to Capricorn, and “Sankranti” denotes the movement of the sun into a new celestial orbit. This celestial phenomenon signifies the triumph of light over darkness, heralding longer, sunlit days. 

Makar Sankranti also referred to as Uttarayana, Makara, or simply Sankranti is a Hindu observance and a festival. Usually falling on the date of 14 January annually (15 January on a leap year).

This occasion marks the transition of the sun from the zodiac of Sagittarius (dhanu) to Capricorn (makara).

Since the sun has made this transition which coincides with moving from south to north, the festival is dedicated to the solar deity, Surya,and is observed to mark a new beginning. Many multi-day festivals are organised on this occasion all over India.

Every year Makar Sankranti is celebrated in the month of January. This festival is dedicated to the Hindu religious sun god Surya.Makara Sankranti is also associated with the birth and coming of the final Avatar of the Hindu God Vishnu, Kalki.Makara Sankranti is an important pan-Indian solar festival, known by different names though observed on the same date, sometimes for multiple dates around the Makar Sankranti.

It is known as Pedda Panduga/Makara Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh, Makara Sankranti in Karnataka, Telangana, and Maharashtra, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Magh Bihu in Assam, Magha Mela in parts of central and north India, as Makar Sankranti in the west, Makara Sankranti or Shankaranti in Kerala and by other names.

     Besides religious person agriculturally, Makar Sankranti marks the threshold of the harvest season, prompting farmers to express gratitude for a fruitful yield and to seek blessings for a prosperous future. The festival becomes a time for communities to come together, sharing the joy of abundance and fostering a sense of collective gratitude.

    Each state celebrates Makar Sankranti with unique customs and traditions, transforming the festival into a thread that intricately weaves the cultural tapestry of the nation. This diversity becomes a source of strength, fostering a sense of belonging among the diverse communities that make up the fabric of India.

    Here some Makar Sankranti Indian festivals are described:

1. Magh Bihu: Magh Bihu also called Bhogali Bihu or MagharDomahi is a harvest festival celebrated in Assam, North-East India, which marks the end of harvesting season in the month of Magh (January–February).A bonfire (Meji) is lit for the ceremonial conclusion and prayer to the God of Fire.

Young people erect makeshift huts, known as Meji and Bhelaghar, from bamboo, leaves and thatch, and in Bhelaghar they eat the food prepared for the feast, and then burn the huts the next morning. The celebrations also feature traditional Assamese games such as ‘’tekelibhonga’’ (pot-breaking) and buffalo fighting.The night before is “Uruka”  when people gather around a bonfire, cook dinner, and make meji.

During Magh Bihu, people of Assam make rice cakes with various names such as Sunga Pitha, TilPitha etc and some other sweets of coconut called Laru.The bonfires are usually made with fireword, green bamboo, hay and dried Banana leaves. People take bath before setting up the bonfire, as a tradition. The ritual of MejiJwaluwa (Firing the Meji) is very enjoyable.

Worshipping the Bhoral and Meji is done by offering Chicken, Rice cakes, Rice beers, Chira, Pitha, Akhoi, Horoom, Curd, and other eatables. At the end, the Bhelaghar is also burned and people consume a special preparation known as Mah-Karai, which is a roasted mixture of rice, black gram. In the breakfast and lunch, people consume various traditional dishes like various Fish, Duck, Chicken and Mutton curries along with rice, ‘tenga’, ‘aloo pitika’ and ‘doisira’. The ashes of the bonfire Meji and Bhelaghar are used in the trees and crops to increase the fertility of the gardens or fields.

1. Lohri:Lohri is a popular winter Dogra and Punjabi folk festival celebrated primarily in Northern India. The significance and legends about the Lohri festival are many and these link the festival to the Duggar region and Punjab region.The festival is celebrated by lighting bonfires, eating festive food, dancing and collecting gifts. In houses that have recently had a marriage or childbirth, Lohri celebrations will reach a higher pitch of excitement. Most North Indians usually have private Lohri celebrations, in their houses. Lohri rituals are performed, with the accompaniment of special Lohrisongs.Singing and dancing form an intrinsic part of the celebrations. People wear their brightest clothes and come to dance the bhangra and gidda to the beat of the dhol. Punjabi songs are sung, and everybody rejoices. Sarson da saag with makki di roti is usually served as the main course at a Lohri dinner. Lohri holds great importance for farmers.

1. Maghi Sankranti: It is a Nepali festival observed on the first of Magh in the Vikram Sambat or Yele calendar marking the end of the winter solstice and the month of Poush. The Tharu people celebrate this day as their new year.In Nepal, agriculture is a significant part of the economy, and Maghe Sankranti is also a celebration of the harvest season. It is a time to give thanks for the bountiful crops and to pray for a prosperous year ahead.Maghe Sankranti is a time for family reunions and gatherings. Families come together to celebrate the festival, share traditional foods, and enjoy each other’s company.In the Newar community, Maghe Sankranti is known as “GhyaChakuSalhu.” On this day, Newars prepare and eat special foods like ‘Til ko laddu’ etc particularly dishes made from clarified butter (ghya) and sesame seeds (til). Elders put Mustard oil (BhutekoToriko Tel) on the heads of their family members as a blessing for prosperity and well-being. The festival is marked by vibrant cultural dances and music, showcasing the rich heritage of the Magar community. Elders take this opportunity to pass down wisdom to the younger generation, emphasizing the importance of cultural traditionsDuringMaghi, families gather for communal feasts, sharing traditional Magar dishes that not only satisfy the palate but also strengthen familial ties.The bullfight festival in Nuwakot during Maghe Sankranti is a traditional event where bulls come together for friendly competition.

1. Pongal:Pongal also referred to as Thai Pongal, is a multi-day Hindu harvest festival celebrated by Tamils. The festival is named after the “Pongal” dish, which forms the festival’s most significant practice. The dish is prepared by boiling freshly harvested rice in cow milk and raw cane sugar.Additional ingredients such as coconut and ghee along with spices such as cardamom, raisins and cashews are also used. The cooking is done in a clay pot that is often garlanded with leaves or flowers, sometimes tied with a piece of turmeric root. It is either cooked at home, or in community gatherings such as in temples or village open spaces.The cooking is done in sunlight, usually in a porch or courtyard and the dish is dedicated to the Sun god, Surya. After it is traditionally offered to the gods and goddesses first, followed sometimes by cows, then to friends and family gathered. Temples and communities organize free kitchen prepared by volunteers to all those who gather. Portions of the sweet pongal dish (Sakkarai Pongal) are distributed as the prasadam in temples.The festival is marked with colorfulkolam artwork. Kolam is a form of traditional decorative art that is drawn by using rice flour often along with natural or synthetic color powders. It includes geometrical line drawings composed of straight lines, curves and loops, drawn around a grid pattern of dots.
2. Uttarayana:The term Uttarāyaṇa (commonly Uttarayanam) is derived from two different Sanskrit words – “uttaram” (North) and “ayanam” (movement) – thus indicating the northward movement of the Sun.It is one of the most anticipated occasions in Gujarat. Activities include flying kites, making sweets and indulging in delicious khichdi. The Uttarayan festival is much more than just worship and sweets, as Gujaratis look forward to shouting “Kai Po Che” to the kites flying in the sky.
3. Poush Sankranti: It also known as Poush Boron, is a traditional Bengali festival that marks the celebration of the harvest season.The freshly harvested paddy and the date palm syrup in the form of Khejurer Gur and Patali is used in the preparation of a variety of traditional Bengali sweets made with rice flour, coconut, milk and ‘khejurergur’ (date palm jaggery) and known as ‘Pitha’.begins on the day before Sankranti and ends on the day after. The Goddess Lakshmi is usually worshipped on the day of Sankranti. It is called Baharlaxmi Puja as the idol is worshipped in an open place. With the coming of age, this humble harvest sweet has also seen a makeover. As much as the traditional pithes are in demand, people are also more inquisitive to try the newer variety.

1. Maghi:Maghi is the regional name of the Hindu festival of Makar Sankranti celebrated in Punjab, Haryana,Jammu division and Himachal Pradesh.In Punjab, Maghi is celebrated by people eating kheer such as Rauh di kheer which is an old dish where rice is cooked in sugarcane juice. The dish is prepared in the evening before Maghi and is kept to cool. It is served cold next morning on Maghi with red-chili mixed curd.In some parts of Punjab, India, it is also traditional practice to eat Khichdi mixed with lentils, consume raw sugarcane and jaggery. Fairs are held at many places in Punjab on Maghi.
2. SuggiHabba:SuggiHabba is Karnataka’s way of welcoming the harvest season, mirroring the spirit of Makar Sankranti in Karnataka. The festival holds a special place in the hearts of the locals, celebrated with great enthusiasm and traditional fervour.Farmers, the true heroes of the occasion, adorn themselves in new clothes, offer prayers to the gods, and decorate their homes with sugarcane stalks and mango leaves.SuggiHabba isn’t just about the festivities; it’s about a spirit of community, of togetherness. It’s a time for families to reunite, for friends to bond, and for strangers to connect over shared traditions and laughter. It’s a reminder that even in the hustle and bustle of modern life, the simple joys of harvest, gratitude and human connection still hold immense power.

Makar Sankranti holds deep cultural and religious importance. It marks the end of the winter solstice, ushering in longer days and the promise of abundant harvests.Each state celebrates Makar Sankranti with unique customs and traditions, transforming the festival into a thread that intricately weaves the cultural tapestry of the nation. This diversity becomes a source of strength, fostering a sense of belonging among the diverse communities that make up the fabric of India.

Monoswini Sarmahis from Sivsagar, Assam

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