Makar Sankranti across India: A quick look of this biggest festival

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New Delhi : Makar Sankrati marks the beginning of festival calender in India. The country with diverse culture and beliefs looks almost same when they celebrate this biggest festival in their unique style. Makar Sankranti is celebrated in different parts of India with different names and each identity holds different historical importance and is celebrated with different names in different states. Let's take a quick look at how people across the country are celebrating Makar Sankranti 2019 on January 14 and 15.

Punjab

People in Punjab celebrate Lohri by lighting bonfire, worshipping it, wearing new clothes, distributing sweets, and eating rewri, gajjak, pop corn and bajre ki khichdi. This festival marks the harvest of winter crops.

Rajasthan 

In Rajasthan, it is celebrated by the name of maker sankranti only. There is a huge celebration with the making of special Rajasthani delicacies, dancing and getting together with family. The women offer 13 other married women gifts. The first makar sankranti after marriage holds special signifance as the parents invite their married daughter at their house and make them feel special.

Gujarat

Gujarati people celebrate makar sankranti in the name of Uttarayan which last for two days. The word originates from the course that the sun takes as it starts to move along the northern sky. The festival is celebrated on January 14 and 15 where 14 is Uttarayan and 15 is Vasi Uttarayan. People also fly colorful kites and make the sky look gorgeous.

Uttar Pradesh

In Uttar Pradesh, Makar Sankranti involves traditional bathing and worshipping God. This year Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj will see million people taking holy bath in the Triveni Sangam.

Maharashtra

Makar Sankranti in Maharashtra is celebrated for three days. In the festival, people exchange multi coloured halwa, puran poli and til-gul laddoo and greet each other with good wishes.Married women invite friends/family members and celebrate Haldi-Kunku. Women wear black clothes which is otherwise not allowed on festival days.

West Bengal 

Makar Sankranti in West Bengal is known as Posh Sankranti. The sweets exchanged include the freshly harvested paddy, the date palm syrup in the form of Khejurer Gur and Patali.The Goddess Lakshmi is usually worshipped on the day of Sankranti. It is called Baharlakshmi puja as well.

Assam

Known as Maghu Bihu/Bhogali Bihu, the festival marks the end of harvest season. It is celebrated with feasting, dancing, and celebration of bonfires. Bonfires are called mejis and again, sweets made of sesame, peanuts are distributed.

Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti in the name of Pongal is celebrated for four days. On day 1, people destroy and burn old clothes to let go of the bad past and emergence of new future. On day 2, rice is boiled and offered to the god. On day 3, Cattles are decorated and worshipped as a sign of thanks for their role in agricultural processes. And, on day 4, People wear new clothes and visit relatives, exchange gifts.

So, now that you have come across the Makar Sankranti celebration across India, spare some time to enjoy the festival.

Happy Makar Sankranti!