As the New Year begins, most regions in India wear a festive look with the Makar Sankranti celebrations. Also known as the ‘Festival of Kites’, it is observed after Lohri. You can witness young kids and adults practice kite flying from the beginning of January.

Celebrating ‘Sankranti’ in India is more than just enjoying a festival holiday. It’s about being a part of the diversity that makes India a single nation. Along with Makar Sankranti, India is ready to welcome the winter cold. Every year in January, a varied range of customs and traditions come together for this vibrant celebration that showcases the richness of Indian culture. This auspicious day is celebrated in various ways by different regions, creating an exciting combination of cultural customs.

Are you thinking about what is the first day of Pongal known as? It is celebrated as ‘Bhogi’. On this day, people discard old and unused items from their homes like wood, clothes, etc. These items are thrown into a fire made of wood and cow dung cakes. The tradition is known as “Bhogi mantalu” and is meant to eliminate old and negative aspects of your life and focus on new beginnings. Women wear new clothes and chant mantras around the holy fire. The second day is celebrated as Makar Sankranti with colorful decorations. An essential part of this day is the “Sankranti Muggulu,” which are beautiful and creative rangoli designs drawn on house entrances. 

Are you thinking of celebrating 2024 Sankranti in India to experience the different traditions of this festival? Then search for cheap flights to India now and book your tickets right away. 

How can you make Sankranti Rangoli(muggulu) Designs?

Usually, rice flour or chalk powder is used for drawing such designs, which include various designs and patterns inspired by nature like flowers, birds, etc. Making Sankranti Muggulu is a popular custom that welcomes good fortune and represents prosperity. The essence of Makar Sankranthi in India comes alive as families get together to make these lovely designs, connecting communities in the name of art and culture.

Let’s explore the best places in India where you may embrace the positive energy of Sankranti and discover its true essence.

Gujarat- A Sky Full of Kites

In Gujarat, the international kite festival brings enthusiasm to the city in addition to Sankranti celebrations. The skies in cities like Ahmedabad in January become a colorful playground for an endless number of kites. This is more than just a fun game, it turns into an intense race with the sound of kite conflicts resonating through the sky. In addition to being a visual treat, this festival attracts kite lovers from all over the world. 

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana-The Colorful Rangoli

The Sankranti festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Drawing rangoli of colors and flowers in front of the house, which is locally known as  Muggulu, is an important aspect of the festival. These rangoli are more than just decorations; they are detailed, colorful pieces of art that are drawn in front of houses. Usually, they have unique design ideas, regional customs(Gobbemmalu), and natural themes. During this time of year, making these rangoli is an act to welcome luck and wealth into households.

Tamil Nadu: A Joyful Pongal

Sankranti begins with joy in Tamil Nadu with the traditional Pongal celebration, an engaging four-day harvest festival. Cooking the primary crop of rice of the season is a tradition that represents gratitude and prosperity. Kolam designs are skillfully decorated to give houses a festive feel.  Pongal, a delicious meal prepared with fresh rice, milk, and jaggery and cooked as a form of offering to the Sun God, is the tradition of this festival. This celebration reflects Tamil Nadu’s rich ethnic and culinary tradition.

Read More: Things you should know about the Festival of Makar Sankranti 2023

Punjab: Lohri Celebrations

Similar to the Pongal festival in India, the Lohri festival in Punjab brings people together to celebrate the winter harvest in a welcoming and cultural way. A big bonfire is the highlight of Lohri celebrations, where people gather and toss in sweets, popcorn, and puffed rice. This gesture represents welcome wealth and expressing gratitude for the crop. During the festival, people also take part in traditional folk dances and music. Like the sense of togetherness and thankfulness observed at Pongal celebrations across India, it’s a time when communities come together and share the joy of the season.

Makar Sankranthi in India is a celebration of life, traditions, and cultures. The celebrations become diverse and interconnected as each region brings its special touch. Every place provides a different experience to feel the festive feelings, whether it’s the cheerful Pongal in Tamil Nadu or the enthusiastic kite-flying in Gujarat. This Sankranti, take advantage of the chance to travel to these places with Indian Eagle flights and immerse yourself in the diverse cultural life of India.

Indian Eagle’s last-minute flights are the cheapest and most convenient way of traveling from USA to India for the Sankranti celebrations. So, why wait? Book your international flight today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which sweet is prepared most in Makar Sankranti?

Different states prepare various sweets for Makar Sankranti. Kurmure Chikki is prepared widely in Maharashtra, Rewari in Punjab and Rajasthan etc. But ‘til ke laddu’ is a common sweet across most places. 

What are special food items in Sankranti?

Some of the special food items prepared for Sankranti are til ladoo, puran poli, makara chaula, khichdi, payesh, pinni etc. 

What sweets are prepared on festivals?

Depending on the festival, a range of sweets are prepared in India. For instance, gujiya is prepared for Holi, til ke laddu are eaten during Makar Sankranti, Sheer Khorma is made on Eid-Al-Fitr and Rum Cake is widely made during Christmas.

-Travel Diary

The post Places to Celebrate Sankranthi in India to Experience the Festive Vibe appeared first on Travel Blog | Travel Inspiration, Tips and News | Travel Diary.

If you are living in the United States and are planning to experience the festivities of Makar Sankranti this year, you can still book your cheap last minute flights to India with Indian Eagle. Hurry, as there isn’t much time left for the festival day – January 14, 2023.

Other names for Makar Sankranti

The popular Indian festival is celebrated country-wide and is known by different names according to the region. Here’s what Sankranti is called in different parts of India:

• Lohiri (Punjab)
• Pedda Panduga or Sankranti Panduga (Andhra Pradesh)
• Poush sôngkranti (West Bengal)
• Makara Chaula (Odisha)
• Uttarayan (Gujarat)
• Pongal (Tamil Nadu)
• Magha Saaji (Himachal Pradesh)
• Suggi Habba (Karnataka)
• Magh/Bhogali Bihu (Assam)
• Shishur Saenkraat (Kashmir Valley)
• Sakraat (Bihar and Jharkhand)
• Kicheri (UP)

Significance of Makar Sankranti

The harvest festival occurs in January every year when the Sun moves into the Zodiac sign of Makar (Capricorn). Sankranti has a great religious as well as seasonal significance. The festival is dedicated to the Hindu deity of Surya (Sun God) and marks the end of the winter season and the beginning of the spring season with good harvests and lengthier days to spend.

What should be done on Makar Sankranti?

On the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti, most Hindus try to invoke the blessings of the Sun God (Surya) by doing the following:

• Taking a dip in the holy waters of Ganges, Yamuna, Krishna, or Godavari River.
• Performing a Surya Namaskar or sun salutation early in the morning before starting the day.
• Making offerings of cow’s milk in copperware to the Sun God.

People prepare traditional Sankranti dishes and sweets and distribute them to the neighbors. Sankranti food staples include Til Ladoo, Halwa, Puran Poli, Makar Chaula, Payesh, Pinni, and Pongal.

Legend surrounding Makar Sankranti

Legend has it that the Sun God and his son Shani never had good relations of father and son and on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti, Sun God visits the abode of his son to forgive him. For this reason, this day is also seen by Hindus as a day for forgiving people and forgetting about all the past battles with friends.

How is Sankranti celebrated across India?

The festivities of Makar Sankranti also vary across the country just as the names vary with the regions. Let’s have a look at Sankranti tradition in a few states.

Sankranti in Gujarat:

In the state of Gujarat where the festival is known as Uttarayan, the denizens of the state, both young and old fly kites under the blazing sun to mark the festivities of Makar Sankranti. The popular belief here is that exposure to the hot sun while flying kites on this auspicious day would burn the germs and detoxify the bodies.

Sankranti in Uttar Pradesh and Odisha:

In some states like Uttar Pradesh and Odisha melas or fairs are an integral part of Makar Sankranti. The most famous of the fairs are the Kumbh Mela and the Ganga Sagar Mela.

Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana:

Sankranti is one of the biggest festivals in the Telugu states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and is celebrated with much fervor. The festival lasts for three days: Bhogi, Sankranti, and Kanuma. People decorate their homes with marigold flowers, mango leaf thoranams, put up colorful rangoli in front of homes and traditionally put a gobbemma (made with cow dung) at the center of the rangoli.

The three-day-long festivities begin with Bhogi Mantalu (bonfire). Old agricultural wastes and household articles that aren’t of any use are discarded in the blazing fire while people sing and rejoice at the coming of the new harvest season. Pongali, a type of porridge, is cooked with rice, milk, and jaggery.

Makar Sankranti is observed with prayers, new clothes, kite flying competitions, and elaborate feasts. One can see Haridasus and Basvannas visiting every home in the villages. On the third day, i.e., Kanuma, cattle are worshiped and people also pay homage to the elements of nature for the good harvest. Cockfights and bullfights are also common in some areas. Get your flight tickets booked at the best price with us now and travel to AP state this festive season for an insight into Andhra Pradesh culture and traditions. The neighboring state of Tamil Nadu also celebrates Sankranti in a more or less similar fashion.

Also Read: Know about the Unique Telangana Culture and Tradition

Sankranti in Karnataka and Maharashtra:

Sankranti is a three-day festival in Maharashtra and Karnataka too.  Flying kites is a major part of Makar Sankranti celebrations in Maharashtra. Sweet delicacies like puran poli, til ladoos, halwa, ellu bella (in Karnataka) are exchanged on this day while uttering a regional saying which is meant to encourage each other to give up hostilities and foster good relations. Women in Maharashtra come together and perform the Haldi-Kumkum rituals. Dressing up cows and bulls in colorful costumes is another interesting Sankranti tradition in Karnataka.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sankranti on 14 or 15?

Usually Sankranti is celebrated on 14th January every year. Sankranti 2023 will be celebrated on 14th January. 

What is special about Sankranti?

Sankranti is a festival that marks the end of winters and the beginning of spring, which is also the best time for harvest in India. The preparation of mouthwatering dishes, traditional garments, and people flying color kites together is what makes Sankranti special. 

What Sankranti means?

Sankranti is derived from the Sanskrit word, ‘sankramana’, which means ‘to begin to move’. 

Where is Sankranti celebrated?

Sankranti is celebrated in nearly all states of India. It might have different names in various states but the significance is nearly the same. It is celebrated on a wide scale in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana etc. 

Why is Makar Sankranti celebrated?

Makar Sankranti is observed to celebrate the Sun God, Surya. It marks the first day of the sun moving into the Makara rashi. 

How do you celebrate Makar Sankranti at home? Comment below and share your family traditions with us! 

–Travel Diary

The post Things you should know about the Festival of Makar Sankranti 2023 appeared first on Travel Blog | Travel Inspiration, Tips and News | Travel Diary.