Makar Sankranti 2024: How to Celebrate the Sun’s Journey with Family and Friends

The duration of Makar Sankranti celebrations varies among states, with some observing it for a day and others extending festivities over three-four days. Traditionally, the primary Makar Sankranti festival is observed on January 14, except during leap years. As the year 2024, being a leap year, the festival will be celebrated on January 15.

Makar Sankranti holds cultural and historical significance, rooted in legends. The celebration is named after a deity who vanquished the evil Sankarasur, and the subsequent day is known as Kinkrant or Karidin, commemorating the defeat of Kinkarasur by Devi. Panchang, the Hindu Almanac, offers insights into Makar Sankranti, presenting information on its structure, age, movement, attire, and development. In India, the festival symbolises the sun’s northward movement, transitioning from shining on the Southern Hemisphere. Hindus view this period as Uttarayana, signifying a time of auspiciousness. In the Mahabharata, Bhishma Pitamah anticipated the sun’s shift to Uttarayana as he awaited death.

Makar Sankranti is celebrated with vibrant traditions across India. People adorn new attire and relish homemade delights, often made with jaggery and til. Here’s how it’s celebrated in different parts of the country.

- Tamil Nadu: In Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Pongal, a vibrant festival where locals partake in consuming a special dish made from rice boiled with fresh milk and jaggery.

- Gujarat and Rajasthan: The festival takes on a grand scale in Gujarat and Rajasthan with the celebration of Uttarayana or Makar Sankranti, marked by the popular kite-flying festival known as Patang Utsav.

- Bihar and Jharkhand: In these regions, Makar Sankranti is celebrated with a cultural blend of river plunges and feasting on seasonal delicacies like Chura, offering a celebration of the harvest season.

Celebrations at home involve waking up early, cleaning the house, wearing new clothes, planning special meals, decorating the Puja room, visiting religious centres, sharing sweets with neighbours, enjoying a family meal, flying kites, and caring for cattle by offering them fruits or greens. Here are some tips to make your home celebration more enjoyable and memorable.

- Prepare some delicious Makar Sankranti dishes, such as Sesame Seeds and Jaggery Ladoo, Til-Gur Poli, Khichdi with Til and Ghee, Patishapta, and Kite-shaped Kaju Katli. These dishes are not only tasty but also nutritious, as they provide energy and warmth to the body during the winter season.

- Decorate your home with colourful rangoli, flowers, lamps, and kites. You can also use eco-friendly materials like paper, clay, or natural colours to create your own decorations. These will add a festive touch to your home and create a positive atmosphere.

- Fly kites with your family and friends, either from your terrace or balcony, or in a nearby open space. Kite-flying is a fun and exciting activity that symbolises freedom, joy, and hope. You can also make your own kites using paper, sticks, and string, and decorate them with your favourite colours and designs.

- Donate food, clothes, or money to the needy, especially to the farmers who work hard to produce the crops. Makar Sankranti is a time to express gratitude and generosity, and to share your happiness with others. You can also volunteer for a social cause or help someone in need.