The Sun's Joyful Journey
Celebrating the Harvest and Light
Makar Sankranti is one of India's most ancient and vibrant festivals, marking the sun's northward journey. It's a day of joyous celebration, a thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest, and a time to revel in the simple pleasures of flying kites, sharing sweets, and welcoming longer, brighter days.
The Many Meanings of Sankranti
More than just a festival, Makar Sankranti is a celestial event, a cultural milestone, and a spiritual observance all rolled into one.
The Sun's Transit (Uttarayan)
The festival marks the astronomical moment when the Sun God, Surya, begins his journey into the zodiac sign of Makara (Capricorn). This transition, known as Uttarayan, signals the end of winter and the beginning of longer, warmer days. It's a celebration of light's triumph over darkness.
A Farmer's Thanksgiving
Across India, Sankranti is a time to celebrate the harvest. Farmers give thanks for the abundance of the earth and pray for a prosperous future. The festival is known by many names—Pongal in the south, Lohri in the north, Bihu in the east—but the spirit of gratitude for nature's bounty is universal.
An Auspicious Time
The period of Uttarayan is considered highly auspicious in Hindu traditions. It is a time for new beginnings, spiritual practices, and letting go of negativity. The great warrior Bhishma from the Mahabharata famously waited for this day to leave his mortal body, believing it would grant him salvation (moksha).
A Celebration of Traditions
The joy of Makar Sankranti unfolds through a variety of colorful and meaningful rituals that bring communities together.
Step 1: Holy Dips & Prayers
Devotees take holy dips in sacred rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna, believing it cleanses them of past sins. They offer prayers to the Sun God, Surya, to express gratitude and seek blessings for the coming season.
A Taste of the Festival
Sankranti celebrations are incomplete without their special foods, made from the season's first harvest, which provide warmth and energy.
Tilgul
Sweets made from sesame (til) and jaggery (gur), shared with the saying, "Tilgul ghya, goad goad bola" (Eat tilgul and speak sweet words).
Khichdi
A wholesome dish of rice and lentils, symbolizing unity and the new harvest. It is a staple offering and meal on this day.
Gajak & Chikki
Brittle sweets made from peanuts, jaggery, and sesame, popular in Northern India for their warmth and crunch.
Pongal
A sweet dish from the South made with newly harvested rice, milk, and jaggery, boiled until it overflows to symbolize abundance.