Makar Sankranthi is one of the most auspicious festivals in India. It marks the transition of the Sun from Dhanu rashi (Sagittarius) to Makara rashi (Capricorn). It also signifies the movement of the Sun from the inauspicious Dakshinayana to the auspicious Uttarayana, according to astral positions. 

 

While dates of all Hindu festivals keep changing as per the Gregorian calendar, the date of Makar Sankranti remains constant on January 14. After this event, days start becoming longer and warmer and chill of winter declines. It is believed that any auspicious and sacred ritual can be sanctified in any Hindu family, this day onwards. This is also traditionally the month of weddings. Makar Sankranti is the only festival people from every community celebrate. This  is celebrated differently in different parts of the country.

 

Maharashtra

 

In Maharashtra on the Sankranti day people exchange multi-colored tilguls made from til (sesame seeds) and sugar and til-laddus made from til and jaggery. Til-polis are offered for lunch. While exchanging tilguls as tokens of goodwill people greet each other saying – ‘til-gul ghya, god god bola’ meaning ‘accept these tilguls and speak sweet words’. The under-lying thought in the exchange of tilguls is to forget the past ill-feelings and hostilities and resolve to speak sweetly and remain friends.

 

This is a special day for the women in Maharashtra when married women are invited for a get-together called ‘Haldi-Kumkum’ and given gifts of any utensil, which the woman of the house purchases on that day. People also celebrates by flying of kites. The entire sky becomes a medley of colourful kites of various sizes and shapes.

 

Uttar Pradesh

 

 In Uttar Pradesh, Sankranti is called ‘Khichiri’. Taking a dip in the holy rivers on this day is regarded as most auspicious. A big one-month long ‘Magha-Mela’ fair begins at Prayag (Allahabad) on this occasion. Apart from Triveni, ritual bathing also takes place at many places like Haridvar and Garh Mukteshwar in Uttar Pradesh, and Patna in Bihar.

 

Bengal

 

In Bengal every year a very big Mela is held at Ganga Sagar where the river Ganga is believed to have dived into the nether region and vivified the ashes of the sixty thousand ancestors of King Bhagirath. This mela is attended by a large number of pilgrims from all over the country. 

 

Tamil Nadu

 

In Tamil Nadu Sankranti is known by the name of ‘Pongal’, which takes its name from the surging of rice boiled in a pot of milk, and this festival has more significance than even Diwali. It is very popular particularly amongst farmers. Rice and pulses cooked together in ghee and milk is offered to the family deity after the ritual worship. In essence in the South this Sankrantiis a ‘Puja’ (worship) for the Sun God. 

 

Andhra Pradesh

 

In Andhra Pradesh, it is celebrated as a three-day harvest festival Pongal. It is a big event for the people of Andhra Pradesh. The Telugus like to call it 'Pedda Panduga' meaning big festival. The whole event lasts for four days, the first day Bhogi, the second day Sankranti, the third day Kanuma and the fourth day, Mukkanuma.

 

Karnataka

 

In Karnataka, the festival is marked by visiting one's friends and relatives to exchange greetings, and by the preparation of a dish called Ellu (made with sesame seeds, coconuts, sugar blocks, etc). A common custom found across Karnataka is the exchange of sugarcane pieces and Ellu with one's neighbors, friends and relatives. In Karnataka, Pongal is known as 'Sankranti', and cows and bullocks are gaily decorated and fed 'Pongal'- a sweet preparation of rice. Special prayers are offered. In the evening, the cattle are led out in procession to the beat of drums and music. In the night a bonfire is lit and the animals are made to jump over the fire. 

 

Makar Sankranti is marked by men, women and children wearing colorful clothing; visiting near and dear ones; and exchanging pieces of sugarcane, a mixture of fried til, molasses, pieces of dry coconut, peanuts and fried gram. On this auspicious day, people in Karnataka distribute Yellu and bella (Sesame seeds and Jaggery) and greet with the words " “Ellu bella thindu, Olle Maathu Aadu” (Eat sesame seeds and speak only good). The significance of this exchange is that sweetness should prevail in all the dealings.

 

Gujarat

 

In Gujarat Sankranti is observed more or less in the same manner as in Maharashtra but with a difference that in Gujarat there is a custom of giving gifts to relatives. The elders in the family give gifts to the younger members of the family. The Gujarati Pundits on this auspicious day grant scholarships to students for higher studies in astrology and philosophy. This festival thus helps the maintenance of social relationships within the family, caste and community.

 

Punjab

 

In Punjab where December and January are the coldest months of the year, huge bonfires are lit on the eve of Sankranti and which is celebrated as "LOHARI". Sweets, sugarcane and rice are thrown in the bonfires, around which friends and relatives gather together. The following day, which is Sankrant, is celebrated as MAGHI. The Punjabi's dance their famous Bhangra dance till they get exhausted. Then they sit down and eat the sumptuous food that is specially prepared for the occasion. 

 

Kerala

 

The 40 days anushthana by the devotees of Ayyappa ends on this day in Sabarimala with a big festival. On Makar Sankranti evening, at the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa’s Sabarimala in Kerala , lakhs of pilgrims witness a celestial light. It is believed that this brilliant flame of light is the aarathi performed by the Gods. Known as Makar Jyoti, this miracle occurs at the time of the evening prayer time.

 

Bundelkhand

 

In Bundelkhand and Madhya Pradesh this festival of Sankranti is known by the name ‘Sakarat’ and is celebrated with great pomp & merriment accompanied by lot of sweets. 

 

Tribals of Orissa

 

Many tribals in our country start their New Year from the day of Sankranti by lighting bonfires, dancing and eating their particular dishes sitting together. The Bhuya tribals of Orissa have their Maghyatra in which small home-made articles are put for sale. 

 

Assam

 

In Assam, the festival is celebrated as Bhogali Bihu. The festival is marked by feasts and bonfires. Young people erect makeshift huts, known as meji, from bamboo, leaves and thatch, in which they eat the food prepared for the feast, and then burn the huts the next morning.