January 14th and 15th is known for its cultural and religious importance across India and Nepal for celebrating Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Lohri. But if you want to know why these harvest festival is so sacred, then you have arrived at the beat resources available. Lets see how it all began.
History of Makar Sankranti
Hindus in India and Nepal celebrate Makar Sankranti to commemorate the sun’s entry into the Makara zodiac sign (Capricorn). It usually occurs on January 14th and is observed with customary rites including bathing in sacred waterways and flying kites. Additionally, the event is known by several names in other parts of India, including Pongal in Tamil Nadu and Maghi in Punjab. Hinduism has always observed Makar Sankranti, which has a major religious and cultural importance. Additionally, it is a harvest festival that ushers in a new agricultural cycle and signifies the conclusion of the winter solstice.
Importance of Makar Sankranti
Hindus celebrate Makar Sankranti as the beginning of the harvest season and the sun’s entry into the sign of Makara (Capricorn). It is observed with a variety of cultural and religious practices in different regions of India and Nepal, including flying kites, taking holy baths in rivers, and exchanging sweets. Making donations and participating in religious ceremonies are also regarded as being auspicious on this day. It has scientific significance as well because it signifies the conclusion of the winter solstice and the beginning of longer days.
How Makar Sankranti is celebrated across India
Different Indian states observe Makar Sankranti in different ways. It is observed in a variety of ways, including:
- To commemorate, people in Maharashtra fly kites and consume til-gul, a confection consisting of sesame seeds and jaggery.
- People in Gujarat celebrate by kite-flying and swimming in the Sabarmati River.
Sankranti is a holiday observed in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana that involves bullock cart racing and the sharing of jaggery and til sweets (sesame seeds). - Pongal, a sweet meal made from rice, milk, and jaggery, is one of the traditional foods prepared in Tamil Nadu to honor the sun god.
People in Uttar Pradesh observe the holiday by bathing in the Ganges and praying to the sun. - People in Uttar Pradesh observe the holiday by bathing in the Ganges and praying to the sun deity.
- People in West Bengal observe the holiday by bathing in the Ganges, praying to the sun deity, and preparing and sharing treats consisting of sesame seeds and jaggery.
- People in Assam commemorate by praying to the agricultural deity and cooking traditional foods like Pitha, which is comprised of rice flour, molasses, and sesame seeds.
- People in Karnataka commemorate by engaging in ritualistic pooja, bathing in sacred rivers, cooking traditional foods like ellu-bella, and drawing Rangoli patterns on the ground.
- These are just a few instances of how Makar Sankranti is observed in various Indian states; there are several more regional variants throughout the country.
Here are some ideas for How to celebrate Makar Sankranti:
- Take a dip in a holy river: On Makar Sankranti, many people take a dip in a holy river, such as the Ganges, Yamuna, or Godavari, since it is thought to cleanse the soul and bring luck.
- Prepare traditional foods: In South India, Makar Sankranti is observed by creating Pongal, a sweet dish made of rice, milk, and jaggery; in North India, Laddu is observed by preparing til (sesame seeds); and in Assam, Pitha is observed by preparing rice flour, sugar, and sesame seeds.
- Many people trade sweets and savory foods with their buddies and is a symbol of love and friendship.
- Kite flying is frequently associated with Makar Sankranti. Kites are frequently flown during celebrations from rooftops or in open spaces.
- Ritualistic activities: Makar Sankranti is seen as an auspicious day for engaging in ritualistic activities, such as praying to the sun deity, visiting temples, and giving to the needy.
- Rangoli Making: People use vibrant Rangoli patterns, which are created of powder and flowers, to beautify their homes.
- Bonfire: The evening before Makar Sankranti, some communities celebrate by burning a bonfire.
- Bullock cart races: To commemorate, some communities have bullock cart races.
- Weddings: Makar Sankranti is also regarded as a lucky day for nuptials and fresh starts.
About Pongal
Pongal
As we know on the very auspicious occasion of Sankranti in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana in southern India parts celebrates Pongal, a well-known traditional festival. The harvest season officially begins on the first day of the Tamil month of Thai (often in January). The four-day holiday is known as Thai Pongal, which literally translates to “the boiling over of the rice pot.”
Rice is cooked in a fresh clay pot with milk, jaggery (unrefined sugar), and cardamom as part of the primary Pongal ritual. When the rice boils over, it is regarded as a sign of fortune and abundance. The rice is subsequently presented as a thank-you for a successful harvest to the sun god and other gods.
On Bhogi, the first day of Pongal, people clean their homes and get rid of unwanted objects. The primary celebration day is the second day, Thai Pongal, when the Pongal feast is prepared and sweets are exchanged with family and friends. Cattle, which are viewed as a symbol of wealth and prosperity, are honored on the third day, which is known as Mattu Pongal. Families typically get together on the fourth day, known as Kaanum Pongal, to take in the outdoors.
Pongal is a significant event for farmers as it ushers in a new growing season and signals the end of the northeast monsoon.
About Lohri
On the day of Sankranti, especially the northern Indian states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and parts of Delhi all observe the Lohri festival. Every year on January 13th, when the winter solstice ends and the lengthening of the days begins, it is observed. The principal Lohri ritual involves starting a bonfire, which is regarded as a representation of the sun and the start of a new season.
People congregate around the bonfire during the festival to sing traditional songs and perform the Bhangra dance. Sesame seeds, gur (jaggery), popcorn, and sugarcane are also thrown into the fire as a sacrifice to the fire god and a sign of appreciation for a bountiful crop.
The celebration also commemorates the beginning of the Kharif (summer) crop and the separation of the Rabi (winter) crop. For farmers, Lohri has special significance because it ushers in the sowing season and signals the end of the winter season.
Sweets and particularly prepared foods such sesame sweets, gajak, peanuts, etc. are also traded. The Maghi Mela, a harvest celebration, is observed the day after Lohri.
Wrapping Up,
In conclusion, the cultural essence of Lohri, Sankranti and Pongal is same. Its just that they all have unique cultural and religious importance, they all revolve on celebrating the harvest and the start of the longer days. Lohri is largely seen in the northern Indian states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and portions of Delhi. Pongal is primarily observed in the southern Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. Makar Sankranti is observed throughout much of India and Nepal. Every event has its own distinct celebration style, traditions, and delicacies. They are all significant components of India and Nepal’s cultural legacy. So, this is all about Makar Sankranti Pongal Lohri.