Makar Sankranti is a major festival of India, which is celebrated to mark the entry of the Sun into Capricorn. This festival is celebrated with different names and traditions in every state. In North India, it is called Khichdi festival, where bathing in the Ganges and charity have special significance. In Punjab and Haryana, it is celebrated as Lohri, where Bhangra-Giddha is performed in the joy of the new crop.
There is a kite-flying festival in Gujarat and Rajasthan, which is called Uttarayan. In South India, it is celebrated as Pongal, which lasts for four days. Magh Bihu in Assam and Paush Sankranti in West Bengal are celebrated with great pomp. The specialty of this festival is that even though it is celebrated with different customs, its message is the same—worship of the Sun and welcoming new energy.
Makar Sankranti in Eastern India: Pithe-Payesh and Ganga Sagar Mela
Eastern India has a unique identity of Makar Sankranti celebrations across India. This festival is celebrated with great pomp in states like West Bengal, Odisha and Assam. In West Bengal, it is called Paush Sankranti, and on this day, Pithe-Payesh (sweet dishes made of rice and jaggery) are specially prepared in the houses. Also, Ganga Sagar Mela is the biggest event of this region, where thousands of devotees earn merit by bathing in the holy confluence of the Ganges.
In Odisha, this festival is famous as Makar Mela, in which Lord Sun is worshipped and special dishes are prepared. In Assam, this festival is welcomed as Magh Bihu, in which traditional dishes are prepared and cultural programs are held.
The celebration of Makar Sankranti in Eastern India reflects not only religious but also cultural diversity.
Unique colors of Makar Sankranti in Central India
Makar Sankranti celebrations across India are very special in Central India. This festival is celebrated in different ways in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. In Madhya Pradesh, people make dishes made of sesame and jaggery and the tradition of charity is followed. Kite flying is the main attraction here, where children and adults are all engrossed in flying colorful kites.
In Chhattisgarh, it is called Tila Sankranti. Here in rural areas, people visit each other’s house and enjoy the dishes and increase mutual harmony. In Rajasthan, there is a tradition of celebrating the festival by making Gatte ki Khichdi and Sesame Laddu on this day. People wish each other and wish for happiness and prosperity.
This festival of Makar Sankranti in Central India is not only religious but also a symbol of social harmony.
Lohri celebrations in Punjab and Haryana
Makar Sankranti celebrations across India begin with the Lohri festival in Punjab and Haryana. Lohri is celebrated a day before Makar Sankranti and is associated with harvesting. On this day, people light a fire with wood, dry leaves and cow dung cakes and perform Bhangra-Giddha around it. Family and friends gather together and enjoy peanuts, Revdi, sesame and Gajak.
New harvest is welcomed with Lohri. This festival is especially special for newly married couples and newborn babies. In Punjab, people make maize roti and mustard greens in their homes on the day of Lohri. This festival is also celebrated with great enthusiasm in Haryana.
Magh Bihu enthusiasm in Assam
Magh Bihu is a major festival in Assam under Makar Sankranti celebrations across India, which is celebrated with great pomp on the occasion of harvest. This festival lasts for three days and begins with ‘Uruka’, in which people of rural areas enjoy a community feast. At night, songs and dances are performed by lighting bonfires in the fields.
On the main day of Magh Bihu, people bathe early in the morning and prepare traditional dishes like pitha, laddu and fish dishes. On this day, there is a practice of spending the night in huts specially built in the fields and celebrating the festival by sitting near the bonfire.
Conclusion
Makar sakranti this festival, we not only worship the Sun but also spread the message of unity, brotherhood and positivity. It is celebrated with different names and rituals in different states, but its purpose everywhere is the same—welcoming new beginnings and prosperity. Whether it is kite flying in Gujarat, the sweetness of tilgul in Maharashtra, or the excitement of Lohri in Punjab and Haryana, Makar Sankranti emerges as a symbol of unity across India. This festival makes us feel unity in our cultural diversity.
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