MAKAR SANKRANTI IN DIFFERENT NAMES

MAKAR SANKRANTI is celebrated across India under various names and with diverse customs, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of the country. While the essence of the festival remains same - marking the transition of Sun into Makar or Capricorn zodiac sign and the onset of harvest season, regional variations add unique flavours to its observance.

With the festival’s core values of gratitude, renewal and community bonding being universal, the event is to honor Sun God, seek blessings for prosperity and celebrate the fruits of hard work. This vibrant festival not only marks a celestial transition but also serves as a reminder of the enduring bond between humanity and nature.

Here’s an in-depth look at how Makar Sankranti is celebrated in different states of India.

LOHRI – PUNJAB & HARYANA

In Punjab & Haryana, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Lohri, a festival dedicated to the harvest of sugarcane and winter crops. Families and friends gather around large bonfires in the evening, offering sesame seeds, jaggery, peanuts, and popcorn to the flames while singing traditional songs. The bonfire symbolizes warmth and light during the cold winter months, as well as a gesture of gratitude to the Gods for a bountiful harvest. Lohri also marks the end of winter and is considered a time for new beginnings, especially for newlywed couples and newborns.

MAGHA SAAJI – HIMACHAL PRADESH

In Himachal Pradesh, the festival is celebrated as Magha Saaji, marking the onset of new year according to the local calendar. People wake up early, bathe in rivers or springs and visit temples to offer prayers. Houses are cleaned and decorated, traditional dishes get prepared, while families gather for feasting and merriment. Folk songs and dances add to the festive spirit. Lohri night is part of the Maghi celebrations in Himachal Pradesh villages, which is known as Masant.

KHICHDI PARV – UTTAR PRADESH

In Uttar Pradesh, Makar Sankranti is commonly referred to as ‘Khichdi Parv’. The day begins with a holy dip in sacred rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Sarayu, which is believed to cleanse sins and invite spiritual blessings. Devotees offer donations, including sesame seeds, jaggery, and warm clothes to the needy. A special dish called khichdi, made from rice and lentils is prepared and served with ghee and pickles. Kite flying is another popular activity, with skies filled with colorful kites symbolizing freedom and joy.

GHUGHUTIYA & KALE KAUVA - UTTARAKHAND

In Uttarakhand, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Ghughutiya or Kale Kauva, which highlights the connection between humans and nature. The festival embodies the community's respect for birds and environment, marking the change of seasons. Families prepare ghughute, a sweet dish made of fried flour shaped into garlands, which are offered to crows and other birds. The act of feeding birds is seen as a gesture of inviting prosperity and harmony. Children enjoy wearing ghughute garlands and calling out to birds with songs.

On the other hand, while the spiritual-minded take a holy dip in a river on this day, special prayers are performed in households for good health and happiness. People share traditional delicacies among neigbours and distribute ‘Khicadi’ (a mixture of rice and pulses) to those around. Visiting ‘Uttarayani Ka Mela’, or fairs that depict the local culture and heritage through dance and songs is also a popular merriment.

UTTARAYAN - GUJARAT

In Gujarat, Makar Sankranti is known as Uttarayan and is synonymous with the vibrant tradition of kite flying. The festival spans two days, with the first day being called Uttarayan and the second day is referred to as Vasi Uttarayan. People gather on rooftops to compete in kite battles, shouting "Kai Po Che" when they cut another’s kite. In addition to offering prayers at temples, cows and trees are also worshipped on this day since human existence depends on them. ‘Khichdo’ is ceremonially cooked with grains from the new harvest, special delicacies such as Undhiyu, a mixed vegetable dish and Chikki, a sweet made of sesame seeds and jaggery are prepared and shared among friends and family. Uttarayan is not just a festival but also a social event that brings communities together.

SAKRAAT - RAJASTHAN

In Rajasthan, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Sakraat, where families prepare sesame and jaggery sweets like til-gud laddoos and gajak. Kite flying is a major part of the festivities, with people of all ages participating enthusiastically. Rajasthan’s royal heritage is reflected in the colorful kites and the spirit of competition. The day is also marked by feasting, with traditional dishes like Dal Baati Churma being enjoyed with loved ones.

MAGHI SANKRANT - MAHAHRASHTRA

In Maharashtra, Makar Sankranti is known as Maghi Sankrant and Haldi Kumkum. The festival is celebrated with the exchange of til-gud sweets and the saying, “Til-gud ghya, god god bola," which translates to "Take these sesame and jaggery sweets and speak sweetly." This practice emphasizes harmony and goodwill among people. On the other hand, married women invite friends and relatives for haldi-kumkum ceremonies, where they exchange Haldi and Kumkum to symbolize their marriage and wish for their husbands long lives, praying for matrimonial bliss, while distributing gifts and sweets. Kite flying is also a significant activity, adding vibrancy to the celebrations.

PONGAL – TAMIL NADU

In Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti is observed as Pongal, a four-day harvest festival dedicated to Sun God. The first day, Bhogi, involves cleaning homes and burning old items to signify new beginnings. The second day, Thai Pongal, is marked by cooking the special dish Pongal, made with newly harvested rice, jaggery and milk, which is offered to Sun God. The third day, Mattu Pongal, is dedicated to cattle, which are decorated and worshipped for their role in agriculture. The final day, Kaanum Pongal, is a time for family reunions and social gatherings. Houses are adorned with kolam rangoli designs, adding to the festive spirit.

MAKARA VILAKKU - KERALA

Makar Sankranti, known as Makara Vilakku in Kerala, is a three-day festival that takes place during the first five days of Makaram. The festival's key rituals include Kalamezhuthu Pattu, Nayattu Vili and Guruthi. That apart, people bathe in rivers and ponds, fly kites, enjoy seasonal dishes and offer food to Sun God.

Makara Vilakku is celebrated in a big way at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple in Kerala. The festival marks the culmination of annual pilgrimage to Lord Ayyappa’s temple and is a time of deep spiritual devotion and austerity. During these days, devotees gather at the Sabarimala Temple to see the Makara Jyothi, a celestial star that appears in the sky. It is believed that Lord Ayyappa Swami appears in the form of this star to bless His devotees.

SUGGI HABBA - KARNATAKA

In Karnataka, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Suggi Habba, which is primarily a harvest festival for farmers. People decorate their homes with rangoli, light oil lamps, wear new clothes, reunite with family and friends and offer prayers to Sun God. Newly harvested crops are offered to Gods as a gesture of gratitude. Farmers adorn their cows and bulls with colourful ornaments, while women exchange offerings called "ellu-bella," which consist of sesame seeds, jaggery, coconut and sugarcane. Joyful activities include flying kites, performing traditional dances and bonfires.

PEDDA PANDUGA - AP & TELANGANA

In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Makar Sankranti is known as Pedda Panduga, or the ‘big festival’. It is celebrated over three days. The first day, Bhogi, involves discarding old items and lighting bonfires. The second day is dedicated to worshipping the Sun God and preparing traditional dishes like ariselu and pulihora. The third day, Kanuma, is dedicated to cattle and agricultural prosperity. People decorate their cattle and participate in rural sports and cultural activities.

MAGH BIHU - ASSAM

In Assam, Makar Sankranti is observed as Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu, which is a celebration of abundance, community bonding and gratitude. The festivities begin with Uruka, an evening of community feasts and bonfires, a day before Magh Bihu. Traditional Assamese dishes like pitha, larus (sweets) and fish are prepared.

The next day, on Sankranti, people take bath and burn the ‘Meji’ built with bamboo and wood and pray to the Holy Fire with offerings of ‘Maah Khorai’ and ‘Pithas. That apart, people worship cattle, play traditional games and engage in cultural performances. The traditional breakfast of Magh Bihu comprises ‘Chira’ or flattened rice, Akhoi or puffed rice, forms of native glutinous rice like Bora Saul, Kumol Saul along with fresh cream, curd and jaggery.

POUSH SANKRANTI – WEST BENGAL

In West Bengal, Makar Sankranti is called Poush Sankranti and is marked by the famous Ganga Sagar Mela. Thousands of devotees gather at the confluence of Ganges and Bay of Bengal to take a holy dip, people offer prayers at temples and donate food and clothes to the poor. The festival is famous for traditional Bengali sweets like pithas, which is why the occasion is also called ‘Pitha Parbon’. Newly harvested paddy and date palm sourced Khejurer Gur and Patali are used for preparing this sweet delicacy where rice flour, coconut, milk and 'khejurer gur' are the main ingredients.

DAHI CHURA & TIL SANKRANTI - BIHAR

In Bihar, Makar Sankranti is known as Dahi-Chura or Til Sankranti, highlighting the simplicity of rural life. The main ritual involves consuming dahi-chura (curd and flattened rice) along with tilkut, a sweet made from sesame seeds and jaggery. Families gather to enjoy traditional meals and perform prayers to honor Sun God. Sharing food and sweets is a key part of the celebrations, symbolizing unity and goodwill. Til Sankranti is a time of gratitude, focusing on tradition, togetherness, and spiritual well-being.

TUSU PARAB - JHARKHAND

In Jharkhand, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Tusu Parab, a vibrant tribal harvest festival, which is a colorful and lively event, reflecting Jharkhand’s region’s deep-rooted traditions. The centerpiece of the celebration is ‘Tusu chauk’, a decorated bamboo structure honoring Tusu - the harvest Goddess. Women sing traditional Tusu songs, narrate folklore and express joy for the new harvest. At the same time community gatherings, fairs and processions showcase local crafts and culture. People prepare festive meals with rice, jaggery and sesame-based sweets. Tusu Parab underscores the importance of agricultural abundance and cultural pride.

MAKAR CHAULA - ODISHA

In Odisha, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Makar Chaula. Devotees take a holy dip in rivers and ponds, considered to wash away sins and offer prayers in temples. As the festival marks the beginning of agricultural season, people pray for a prosperous harvest. Natives prepare a special dish called Makar Chaula, made with newly harvested rice, milk, jaggery and fruits, and offer it to Sun God. Kite flying and folk dances are also an integral part of the celebrations. It is a time of joy, gratitude, and togetherness, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and deep-rooted traditions.

BACK TO ⇨ SANKRANTI