How Makar Sankranti is Celebrated in Different States

Makar Sankranti in Uttar Pradesh

In Uttar Pradesh, Makar Sankranti is known as Kichha Sankranti. People take a dip in the holy rivers, especially in the Kumbh Mela, which is considered very auspicious. They believe it cleanses them of their sins and brings good fortune. The celebration also includes feasting on delicacies like til laddoo (sesame seeds balls) and paying respect to the Sun God.

Makar Sankranti in Bihar

In Bihar, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Khichdi. The festival is marked by preparing and enjoying rice and lentil khichdi, along with sesame seeds and jaggery sweets. People exchange sweets with their neighbors and friends, reinforcing the spirit of sharing and togetherness.

Makar Sankranti in West Bengal

West Bengal celebrates Makar Sankranti as Poush Parbon. This festival is associated with the Bengali month of Poush and involves feasting on traditional sweets like pithe, a rice variety pudding. Families gather to share these sweets and enjoy the festive mood together.

Makar Sankranti in Gujarat

Gujarat celebrates Makar Sankranti with great fervor. People fly kites, which is a popular tradition. The sky is filled with colorful kites of all shapes and sizes. Kite flying symbolizes the human endeavor to reach higher, symbolizing the ascent of the sun. They also enjoy traditional sweets like til laddoo and undhiyu.

Makar Sankranti in Karnataka

In Karnataka, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Gollu or Sankranti. Families prepare the “Ellu Bella” (a mixture of roasted til, sugar or jaggery, pieces of coconut, groundnuts, etc. rolled into a ball and then flattened), and exchange them with neighbors. They also perform the “Bhoa Shevla” ceremony, where the new crop is offered to the Gods before it is used for human consumption.

Makar Sankranti in Maharashtra

In Maharashtra, Makar Sankranti is celebrated by exchanging sweets made of sesame seeds, such as til laddoos and halwa. The tradition of exchanging greetings and sweets is called "tilgul Pola." People greet each other with the words "tilgul pola" and "tilgul ghya god bola" (accept these sweets and speak sweet words).

Makar Sankranti in Assam

Assam celebrates Makar Sankranti as Bihu. This is a significant agricultural festival celebrated in three parts: Rongali or Bohag Bihu, Kati or Kangali Bihu, and Bhogali or Magh Bihu. The Bhogali Bihu, which coincides with Makar Sankranti, involves community feasts, singing, and dancing. People prepare different types of sweets like lakhsher and choddo.

Makar Sankranti in Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti is known as Pongal. This festival is four days long and is celebrated to thank the sun for its bounty and to mark the beginning of the harvest season. The fourth day of Pongal is called Kannum Pongal, where people visit their friends and relatives and exchange greetings.