Makar Sankranti in Different States of India

India is known worldwide for its festivals and vibrant religious customs. Every day of the year is celebrated as a festival in some other part of the country.  Most of the festivals welcome the seasonal changes in nature in different forms, such as the seasons of the year, the harvest, the rains, or the full moon too. And some celebrate spiritual occasions like birthdays of divine beings, saints, gurus, or the arrival of a new year. Many festivals are common all over India but are celebrated with different names in different states. One among them is Makar Sankranthi. Which is also known as Thai Pongal (Tamilnadu) / Uttarayan(Gujarat)/ Lohri (Punjab)/ Poush sôngkr?nti (Bengal)/ Suggi Habba (Karnataka)/ Makara Chaula (Odisha)/ Maghi Sankrant (Maharashtra and Haryana)/ Magh/Bhogali Bihu (Assam)/ Shishur Saenkraat (Kashmir)/ Khichdi Parv (UP and Bihar). 

Significance of Sankranti:

The day the Sun is believed to enter the zodiac sign of Capricorn(Makara) is an important religious occasion in almost all parts of the country. Makar Sankranti is celebrated as the Sun begins its six-month-long journey towards the north, also known as Uttarayan. It's regarded as an auspicious time—this transition of the Sun from one constellation to another in the month of Magha. There are 12 Zodiac signs and 12 Sankranti, but two have significance: Mesha Sankranthi and Makar Sankranthi. 

In many states, the Makar Sankranthi celebration is characterized by a particular offering of rice and pulses cooked together with or without jaggery & clarified butter. 

Common Rituals of Makar Sankranti:

Sankranti is typically celebrated  for three to four days, with various  activities like rituals related to it day by day. 

1. Kite flying

2. Folk songs and dances.

3. People bathe in holy rivers.

4. An offering of prayers for success.

5. Exchange of food with relatives and friends.

About Maghi Sankrant in Maharashtra:

People celebrate Makara Sankranti in Maharashtra by exchanging til-gud (mixture of sesame and Jaggery) as tokens of goodwill. people greet each other with wishes like  'Accept these sweets and utter sweet words.' The underlying thought is to forgive and forget the past ill feelings, resolve the conflicts, speak sweetly and remain friends. Married Women perform a special 'Haldi-Kumkum' ceremony (social gatherings) . 

About Thai Pongal in Tamil Nadu:

Makar Sankranthi or Thai Pongal in Tamil Nadu is celebrated as one of the most important festive occasions. It is celebrated as the Harvest Festival, which is associated with happiness in one's life. The famous sweet Pongal is made of rice, milk as part of celebrations of Thai Pongal.

About Uttarayan in Gujarat:

Makar Sankranti is celebrated   as "Uttarayan" in Gujarat with  two-day celebrations. The first day is Uttarayan, and  the next day is Vasi-Uttarayan. The Gujaratis  celebrate it with - kites, Chikkis and with a spicy curry made of winter vegetables.  

About Makara Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh:

Makara Sankranthi is celebrated in Andhra Pradesh  state for three days. On the initial day, it is  celebrated as Bhogi Panduga, the Second day it's marked as Pedda Panduga or Makara Sankranthi, the third day as Kanuma. In some parts of Andhra Pradesh the fourth day is also part of Sankranti and  they celebrate as Mukkanuma. 

About Lohri in Punjab:

Lohri is well known the night before Sankranti or Maghi. Folks celebrate Lohri by singing folk songs and dancing around bonfires and praying to Lord Agni for blessings of abundance in their lands. . Farmers begin their financial year on the day after Maghi. 

About Poush sôngkr?nti in Bengal:

Makar Sankranti - is known as Poush Sankranti in West Bengal. The most common food for the celebration is known as "Pithe," made up of rice flour and jaggery , and the festival is also called Pithe Parbon. People offer prayers and unique food items to Goddess Lakshmi or Lord Vishnu.

About Suggi Habba in Karnataka: 

Makar Sankranti - is known as Suggi Habba in Karnataka. This festival is celebrated with great zeal. People cook exceptional food items. Especially they exchange ‘’Ellu Bella`` made with sesame, peanuts, Til, and jaggery with loved ones on this auspicious day.  

About Makara Chaula in Odisha: 

Makar Sankranti - is known as Makara Chaula in Odisha. This festival is celebrated with singing, dancing, and enthusiasm. Each household  celebrates it with  the traditional food "Makara Chaula," which is made up of jaggery, milk, chhena, banana, and sugarcane. 

About Bhogali Bihu in Assam:

Makar Sankranti - is also known as Bhogali Bihu or Magh Bihu in Assam. This festival is honored with sweets, snacks and Meji ( a bonfire).  aAbout Shishur Saenkraat in Kashmir:

Makar Sankranti - is also known as Shishur Saenkraat in Kashmir which marks the solar transition to pleasant and warm seasons from extremely cold winters   and is celebrated with sweets made of jaggery and sesame.

About Khichdi Parv in UttarPradesh:

Makar Sankranti - is also known as Khichdi Parv in Uttar Pradesh and where people prepare Khichdi on this auspicious occasion and offer it to Sun God. People consider taking a holy bath in Prayag in Allahabad as an essential ritual. 

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