Makar Sankranti 2023: 11 Different Names and Ways of Celebrating This Harvest Festival

Every January 14th, Makar Sankranti is celebrated throughout India. One of the few Indian holidays that always falls on the same day is this one. The holiday is enthusiastically observed throughout India. The first Indian holiday on the Gregorian calendar is Makar Sankranti, which is observed as a solstice feast. 

One of the few national holidays that always falls on the same day is this one. Every state in India celebrates Makar Sankranti in a unique style, and some of the neighboring nations also participate.

Nepal- Maghe Sankranti

The celebration of Makar Sankranti is known as Maghe Sankranti, and like most other locations, it is celebrated there with sesame seeds. According to one tradition, a businessman had a sack of sesame seeds that never seemed to empty long ago. Sesame seeds became lucky as he dug inside the bag and discovered an idol of Lord Vishnu. The auspicious period begins after Makar Sankranti, and all ceremonies are performed in Nepal during this time.

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana- Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is a four-day festival that is enthusiastically celebrated throughout Andhra and Telangana. Families join together to celebrate it in a customary manner and with lots of sweets. Bhoghi is the first day, Makara Sankranti is the second, Kanuma is the third, and Mukkanuma is the fourth. 

The customs and festivities vary from day to day. For example, although the first three days call for a strict vegetarian diet, on Mukkanuma an animal is sacrificed to the god and meat is enjoyed.

Bihar and Jharkhand- Sakraat or Khichdi

The two-day celebration takes place in Bihar and Jharkhand, and it involves holy river baths in the morning followed by bonfires when sesame seeds are offered. Sesame seeds and jaggery are used in the preparation of foods. Village women gather to celebrate the occasion while preparing simple yet filling dishes like rice and lentils or curd and rice/puffed rice with some vegetables.

Delhi and Haryana- Sakraat

In the states of Delhi and Haryana, the Makar Sankranti celebration has special significance since it also honours the unique relationship between brothers and their married sisters. When brothers visit their married sisters, they give them candy and warm clothing. On this day, the ladies also give gifts to their husbands' relatives and in-laws. The men and women gather in one location to sing songs and listen to music as they celebrate the festival.

Himachal Pradesh- Magha Saaji

The term "Sankrant" in the local language is "Saaji," while "Magha" refers to the month and the sun sign (Capricornian) that begin when the celebration does. People welcome spring by bathing in holy water or having a river plunge on the day that the seasons change. When they visit their neighbours, they give them treats like khichdi or chikki and ghee (clarified butter). On this day, locals do several acts of charity and visit temples. Folk dances and songs are performed to enjoy the evening.

Karnataka- Suggi

Suggi is Karnataka's harvest festival, which is primarily observed by women and farmers. In a custom called Ellu Birodhu, the women visit each other's homes and bring a plate of gifts and treats to trade. Sesame seeds, jaggery, fried ground nuts, coconut, sugar sweets, chunks of sugar cane, and other nuts are all present on the platter. Outside of their homes, women also create rangolis, paint the horns of their livestock, and decorate them with colourful decorations.

Gujarat- Uttarayan

Gujarat also hosts a unique international kite flying festival in addition to a grandiose Makar Sankranti celebration. People who are on leave stay at home and gather with their kites on terrace tops in the morning after prayers. There are several kite contests and kite battles. People share treats with one another, including chikki and a special Undhiyu dish ( a mix of spcied vegetables is made). The state throws a grandiose holiday celebration.

Uttarakhand- Ghughuti or Kale Kauva

As they believe it to be the time when the birds' journey comes to an end, the people of Uttarakhand commemorate Makar Sankranti as the festival of the migratory birds. The residents host fairs and get-togethers and donate food as charity, including khichdi. Fried sweetened flour is used to make sweetmeats, which kids are instructed to give to crows as a blessing for the migratory birds on their return trip.

Punjab- Maghi

Maghi, which is also observed as Lohri, marks the arrival of warmer weather and is particularly beloved by the people of Punjab. Early in the morning, they take a bath and light lamps with sesame oil to chase away the night and usher in wealth. They spend their days socialising, enjoying a large supper with sesame sweets, and having enormous bonfires in the nights.

Tamil Nadu- Pongal

Tamil Nadu celebrates Pongal for four days, with each day having a unique importance, just like Andhra. On the first day, everyone cleans and decorates their homes, dons new attire, and throws out or donates all of their old possessions. The primary Pongal day is the second day, which is when people celebrate by eating sweets and rice reparations. 

With milk and jaggery, the rice is brought to a boil before being left to continue cooking on its own. There is a special cry made the instant the rice boils over, and Pongal is celebrated. The people share the rice after it has been offered to the god. The other two days are spent visiting the family and worshipping the animals.

West Bengal- Poush Parbon

West Bengal celebrates Poush Parbon. The event is called after the Hindu month of Magha since it occurs on the final day of the previous month, Poush, which marks the start of Magha. To make sweets and delights, Khejurer Gur, a unique palm jaggery that is only accessible at this time, is used. On the day of Sankranti, people worship the goddess, Lakshmi. However, the event is observed as Magey Sakrati and Lord Shiva is worshipped in Darjeeling.