By Vinay Nalwa
"सूर्यः प्रचोदयात् देवः शान्तिं प्रचयतु शुभम्।
आदित्यं तमसः पारं सुतरामण्यमेव च॥"
"Suryaḥ prachodayāt devaḥ śāntiṁ pracayatu śubhamĀdityaṁ tamasaḥ pāraṁ sutāramaṇyameva ca"
"May the Sun, the divine source of light, guide us towards peace and auspicious beginnings,leading us beyond darkness, towards the supreme good."
Makar Sankranti marks the Sun’s transition into Capricorn (Makara Rashi) and its northward journey, symbolizing warmth, light, and hope. Rooted in astronomical precision, this festival reflects the Hindu ethos of harmony with cosmic rhythms and nature’s cycles.
Signalling longer days and the harvest season, Makar Sankranti emphasizes humanity’s interdependence with nature. It is a reminder of the Hindu philosophy of sustainability and gratitude for Earth’s abundance. The Sun, revered as a deity, represents vitality, knowledge, and renewal, inspiring reflection, generosity, and spiritual growth.
In today’s context, Makar Sankranti underscores the need to live in harmony with nature and strengthen community ties. For the Hindu diaspora, it is a source of cultural pride and a bridge to ancestral heritage. This celebration of science, spirituality, and sustainability is a timeless beacon guiding us towards unity, purpose, and inner growth.
Regional Celebrations and Diverse Traditions of Makar Sankranti Across India
Makar Sankranti, while rooted in a shared reverence for nature and the harvest season, comes alive through the diverse customs and traditions across India. With each state infusing the festival with its unique cultural expressions, showcasing the unity in diversity that defines India’s heritage.
In Karnataka, the festival, known as Suggi, is a time of joy and sharing, particularly for farmers. On this day, girls dress in new clothes and carry plates filled with a mixture of sesame seeds, groundnuts, jaggery, and candy molds as a gesture of goodwill. The tradition of giving bananas to married women for five consecutive years adds a special touch to the day, with the number of bananas given increasing each year. In northern Karnataka, the skies are filled with the excitement of community kite flying, a cherished tradition.
In Andhra Pradesh, Makar Sankranti is a four-day affair that begins with Bhogi, a day dedicated to letting go of old belongings to make room for the new. The following day is marked by lighting bonfires, symbolizing renewal and transformation. On the main festival day, people dress in new clothes, pray to the sun, and make offerings to their ancestors. The third day, Kanuma, is all about honoring cattle, as farmers showcase their prized animals, and girls feed birds and animals in a spirit of sharing. The fourth day, Mukkanuma, sees people flying kites and enjoying meat, a food that’s restricted during the first three days.
Maharashtra celebrates the festival with sweet treats like til-gul laddoo and halwa, exchanged among friends and family. The tradition of sharing sweets signifies the importance of sweetening relationships and letting go of past grievances.
In Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti takes the form of the grand four-day festival of Pongal. The first day, Bhogi, involves burning old clothes to signify the end of the old and the beginning of the new. The second day, Thai Pongal, sees families preparing a special sweet dish, also called Pongal, made with rice, milk, and jaggery, which is offered to the Sun God in gratitude for the harvest. The third day, Maattu Pongal, is dedicated to cattle, with animals decorated and honored for their role in farming. The festival ends with Kaanum Pongal, a day for family visits and celebration.
Assam’s Makar Sankranti is known as Magh Bihu, and it is celebrated with feasts, bonfires, and traditional games. Young people build temporary huts, called Meji, to burn the next day as part of the rituals. The festivities also include traditional games like pot-breaking and buffalo fighting.
In Gujarat, Makar Sankranti, or Uttarayan, is a spectacular kite-flying event. For two days, the skies are filled with colorful kites, and the goal is to cut down your competitors’ kites. The festival is a community celebration, with special kite-flying zones set up to accommodate enthusiasts of all levels.
Punjab’s Makar Sankranti, known as Maghi, sees devotees taking a holy dip in rivers to cleanse themselves of sins and offer prayers for prosperity. In the evening, the energetic folk dance of bhangra is performed, and families come together to enjoy special dishes like kheer and khichdi.
These diverse regional celebrations of Makar Sankranti reflect the rich Hindu cultural fabric and its deep connection to the cycles of nature and the harvest. Whether through food, dance, or prayer, this festival is a time for renewal, gratitude, and community bonding.
(The writer holds a Ph.D. in Sociology and is an author, with her latest book being Blood in the Sea: The Dark History of Hindu Oppression in Goa.)
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