Different States Celebrate Makar Sankranti in India

 

Makar Sankranti Celebrated is a popular Indian festival celebrated to mark the transition of the sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn. This festival is celebrated in different ways throughout India and has different names in different states. From Karnataka to Maharashtra, each region has its own unique way of celebrating the joyous occasion of Makar Sankranti. Join us as we explore the various ways in which this Indian festival is celebrated across the country!

 

1 Maharashtra StatesCelebrate Makar Sankrant

Makar Sankranti marks the sun’s journey from south to north, known as the Uttarayan. People celebrate this day by exchanging colorful thread bracelets, called ‘mauli’, and til-gul laddoos made from sesame and jaggery. Kites are flown in the sky in honor of the occasion and bonfires are lit to ward off evil spirits.

Maharashtrians also observe a tradition of offering prayers at local temples. On this day, people usually wear yellow attire as it symbolizes happiness and prosperity. Special feasts are organized where people cook traditional dishes like puran poli and sheera. Some villages in Maharashtra also observe a five-day long kite-flying event which takes place during Makar Sankranti.

Overall, Makar Sankranti is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Maharashtra and it is a time for families to come together and make memories.

 

2 Gujarat States Celebrate Makar Sankrant

 

Makar Sankranti is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India, with various names and traditions according to the region. In Gujarat, it is known as Uttarayan and it is celebrated with a lot of zeal and enthusiasm. People exchange sweets and greetings and engage in kite-flying competitions.

The night before the festival, people light a bonfire and perform rituals to pay respect to the sun god and seek his blessings. During the day, markets are filled with vibrant kites in all shapes and sizes, and kite-flying competitions are held in most localities.

The festival marks the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of longer days, signifying the arrival of spring and harvest season. People dress up in traditional attire and cook delicious meals for their families. At night, families gather around the bonfire for a special prayer and exchange sweet treats with each other. Makar Sankranti is definitely a festival worth celebrating in Gujarat!

 

3 Karnataka States Celebrate Makar Sankrant

 

Makar Sankranti, also known as Makara Sankranti, is an important Hindu festival celebrated in Karnataka. It marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Makara (Capricorn). This day falls on January 14th and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy throughout the state.

The festival begins with the lighting of lamps and offering of prayers to Lord Sun for his blessings. People dress up in traditional attire and prepare delicious sweets like Holige and Patoli. The streets are filled with festive music and people dancing to the beats of drums and cymbals. People exchange gifts and sweets, and many indulge in kite-flying competitions.

On Makar Sankranti, people also take a holy dip in rivers like Kaveri, Krishna and Godavari to purify their souls and seek divine blessings. A special pooja called Puja for Devas is performed on this day. The festival is also marked by the distribution of traditional dishes like Puran Poli, Kheer and Halwa.

 

4 Andhra Pradesh States Celebrate Makar Sankrant

 

In Andhra Pradesh, Makar Sankranti is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm. The festival is known by many names such as Sankranthi, Pedda Panduga, and Bhogi. On this day, people worship the sun god and exchange gifts such as sweets, fruits, and even money.

Traditional rituals like taking a holy dip in sacred rivers, flying kites, and lighting bonfires are all part of the celebrations. People also make small mud-huts and then burn them, signifying that they are ready to get rid of old habits and start anew. Makar Sankranti is a time for feasting and celebrating with family and friends!

 

5 Tamil Nadu States Celebrate Makar Sankrant

 

Makar Sankranti is a popular festival that is celebrated throughout India, with each state having its own unique way of celebrating the festival. In Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti is known as Pongal, and it is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fanfare. T

he celebrations start four days before the main festival day, and they continue till the third day after.

On the first day, also known as Bhogi Pongal, people in Tamil Nadu perform a special puja (ritual) dedicated to Lord Indra (God of rain) for a good harvest. This is followed by the lighting of bonfires to burn all the old things that are not required anymore. On this day, everyone wears new clothes and decorates their houses with kolams (Rangolis).

The second day of Pongal is called Surya Pongal and is dedicated to the Sun God.

People offer prayers to the Sun God to thank him for providing light and energy. On this day, people prepare an offering of sweet rice, called ‘Pongal’, which is served to the Sun God along with other offerings like sugar cane, coconuts and bananas.

On the third day of Pongal, Mattu Pongal, cows are worshipped and thanked for their contribution in farming activities. People decorate cows with garlands and perform special rituals dedicated to them. This is followed by Kite-flying which is a popular activity on this day, where people fly kites from the rooftops of their homes.

The fourth and final day of Pongal is known as Kaanum Pongal, which marks the end of the celebrations. People visit family and friends, exchange sweets and gifts, and enjoy traditional performances like Karagam and Thappattam.

Makar Sankranti is celebrated with much joy and fervour in Tamil Nadu, in the form of Pongal. From performing traditional rituals to flying kites and enjoying traditional performances, there is something for everyone in Tamil Nadu during Makar Sankranti.

 

6 Kerala States Celebrate Makar Sankrant

 

On the day of Makar Sankranti, people take an early morning dip in holy rivers and visit temples to offer prayers. After that, they celebrate the harvest with feasts and dances. People also fly kites to signify joy and prosperity. On this day, farmers give thanks to God for a successful crop and pray for more success in the coming year.

The main highlight of Makar Sankranti in Kerala is the traditional boat race called Vallam Kali. The race is conducted along the backwaters and features colourful boats manned by skilled oarsmen. This event draws huge crowds from all over the world who come to watch these majestic boats race against each other.

Apart from the traditional customs, Makar Sankranti is also celebrated with sweets, gifts and feasting in Kerala. Sweets like Kadumanga (mango pudding) and Payasam (rice pudding) are prepared for the festival and exchanged among family and friends. Special feasts are organized where traditional dishes like beef curry, sambar and avial are served.

Makar Sankranti is a special time of celebration in Kerala. With its unique rituals and customs, it serves as a reminder of the importance of hard work, abundance, and gratitude.

 

7 West Bengal States Celebrate Makar Sankrant

 

In West Bengal, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Poush Sankranti. The festival is marked with delicious sweets like pantua and sandesh, which are made with cottage cheese, flour, and sugar. People take part in traditional activities such as flying kites and playing games like gaaner uttejana, where a group of people form a circle and try to break it by stretching their hands outward. Moreover, married women gather together in the afternoon and exchange saris as a sign of friendship and bond. The festive spirit of Poush Sankranti is further highlighted with a traditional feast of khichuri and labra that is accompanied by singing and dancing.

 

8 AssamStates Celebrate Makar Sankrant

 

Makar Sankranti is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India, and it’s celebrated with much enthusiasm in the state of Assam as well. The festival is known by various names here, such as Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu. It is a major harvest festival which marks the end of the harvesting season in Assam. On Makar Sankranti, people start preparing special dishes like ‘Pitha’ (rice cakes) and curd made from jaggery, and they also prepare traditional sweets like til-laddoo.

On this day, people decorate their houses with rangolis and lights, wear new clothes and exchange gifts. During the night, young people gather around bonfires to perform folk songs and dances. Fireworks are also an important part of the celebrations.

This festival is a great opportunity to thank nature for the bountiful harvest and seek its blessings for the future. This year, make sure to join in the festivities of Makar Sankranti and experience the traditional culture of Assam!

 

9 Bihar States Celebrate Makar Sankrant

 

Makar Sankranti, the harvest festival of India, is celebrated differently in different parts of the country. In Bihar, Makar Sankranti is popularly known as ‘Khichdi’ and is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm.

People gather to exchange sweets and gifts and visit the local temples to seek blessings of the gods. Many people prepare a special dish known as ‘Til Khichdi’ to celebrate the festival. This dish is made from til (sesame seeds), jaggery, gram flour and ghee. People also participate in kite-flying competitions during this festive occasion. Thus, Makar Sankranti is a delightful festival for people in Bihar where they celebrate the spirit of joy and harmony.

 

10 Madhya Pradesh

 

In Madhya Pradesh, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as the festival of Khichdi. On this day, families come together and enjoy a meal of Khichdi, prepared using rice, lentils, and vegetables. This is served with traditional Indian sweets such as til gud laddoos and puran poli. After lunch, people take a holy dip in rivers and lakes. They also fly kites to celebrate the end of winter season.

The whole state comes alive with kite-flying competitions taking place in different parts of the city. People spend the day flying kites from their balconies, roofs and terraces, competing against each other for the most beautiful kite. With Makar Sankranti being celebrated with such enthusiasm and joy, it’s no wonder why this festival is cherished so deeply by Madhya Pradesh residents.