Makar Sankranti 2025: Makar Sankranti has different names, know the tradition and ways of celebrating the festival

The festival of Sankranti is one of the major Hindu festivals of the country which is celebrated in the first month of the year according to the English calendar. It can also be considered as the first Hindu major festival of the year. The festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated almost all over the country, but according to the states, people celebrate it with different names and traditions. It symbolizes the entry of the Sun into Capricorn and the beginning of the increase in the day. The festival of Makar Sankranti is mainly celebrated in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. This day is also known as the festival of Khichdi in Uttar Pradesh, because on this day khichdi and laddus of jaggery, sesame and peanuts are made from the new crop.

Makar Sankranti is not only a harvest festival but it is also a symbol of the northward movement of the Sun and positive energy. It is celebrated in every region in its traditional style, which reflects the cultural diversity of India. Let us know how Makar Sankranti is celebrated in different ways across the country. By what names is Makar Sankranti known and what is the tradition of celebrating it.

Traditions and ways of celebrating the festival

Makar Sankranti has many names according to the states. Like in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar it is called Makar Sankranti. In Punjab-Haryana, the festival of Lohri is celebrated. In Assam, Bhogali Bihu is celebrated, while in Gujarat and Rajasthan, the festival of Uttarayan is celebrated. In Tamil Nadu it is called Pongal, in Maharashtra it is called Tilgul festival, in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka it is called Sankranti, in Kerala it is called Makaravilakku and in Jammu and Kashmir it is called Uttarayan.

Festival of Uttarayan in Gujarat and Rajasthan

Here, kite flying is organized on the occasion of Uttarayan. People climb on the roofs and fly kites and celebrate it like a big festival. Uttarayan is considered to be the time of light. On this day, the rays of the Sun God shine on the earth for a long time. It is considered to be the day of the gods. On this day, there is a provision of yagya, donation and auspicious works.

Festival of Maharashtra and North India

On the occasion of Tilgul festival in Maharashtra, sweets made of sesame and jaggery are eaten and distributed. On this day, sesame and jaggery laddus are also made. There is also a saying in Maharashtra, "Tilgun Ghya, God God Bola" i.e. eat tilgul and speak sweetly.

Lohri of Punjab-Haryana

On the day of Lohri, a fire is lit and sesame, jaggery, peanuts and rewadi are offered in it. It is believed that farmers express their gratitude to God by offering the new crop in the fire. Then they take the heat of the same fire and dance and sing Bhangra-Gidda. The festival of Lohri is a symbol of harvesting of Rabi crops. It is also a symbol of the end of winter days. The festival is dedicated to ripening of crops and good farming. Lord Surya and Agni Dev are worshipped on this day.

Pongal festival of Tamil Nadu
Rice is cooked from the new paddy crop, which is called Pongal. This is a four-day festival in which the Sun God is worshipped. The festival of Pongal is also a symbol of prosperity and happiness after the harvest. On this day, farmers express their gratitude to nature, God, Sun and Indra Dev and cattle. Rain, sunlight and things related to agriculture are worshipped for prosperity.