Exploring Makar Sankranti Across India
Makar Sankranti is a festival celebrated across many states in India, each with its own unique customs and traditions. It's fascinating to see how different regions adapt this event, blending their local culture into the celebration.
Lohri in Punjab
In Punjab, Makar Sankranti is known as Lohri. It's a vibrant festival celebrated with great enthusiasm, marked by the lighting of bonfires. Friends and family gather around the fire, singing and dancing to traditional folk songs. People throw sweets, puffed rice, and popcorn into the fire while chanting, "Aadar aaya, Bahu laaya, Lohri da bhojan khaya." This is a way of seeking blessings for good harvest and prosperity.
Kite Flying in Gujarat
Gujarat celebrates this festival with a keen interest in kite flying. The sky is filled with colorful kites of various shapes and sizes. It's a time when people go up on their rooftops to fly kites, competing with each other. The traditional Gujarati meal includes dishes like sweet rice, til ladoos, and sesame seeds, symbolizing the bond of love and friendship.
Magha Snan in Uttar Pradesh
In Uttar Pradesh, the festival is celebrated as Magha Snan. People take a holy dip in the rivers, especially in Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati. It is believed that taking a bath in these rivers during this time absolves one of their sins and brings good fortune. Alongside, the festival is also celebrated with special pujas and cultural programs.
Yerramsetti in Andhra Pradesh
In Andhra Pradesh, the festival is known as 'Makara Sankranthi'. The festival here is celebrated for four days: Bhogi, Makara Sankranti, Kanuma, and Mukkanuma. People decorate their homes and streets with rangolis made of rice flour. On the day of the festival, people exchange gifts, wear new clothes, and enjoy traditional sweets like 'Maddigalu' and 'Pongali'. It's a time for family reunions and delicious feasts.
Pongal in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu celebrates the festival as Pongal. It is a time to thank the gods for a bountiful harvest. The word 'Pongal' itself means 'overflow', symbolizing abundance. Homes are thoroughly cleaned and decorated with kolams, intricate designs made with rice flour and bordered with red mud. The highlight of the festival is the preparation and offering of a special dish called 'Pongal', made from freshly harvested rice, and offered to the sun god.
Magh Bihu in Assam
In Assam, it's known as Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu. It is celebrated with great pomp and show. People build temporary huts called 'Bhelaghar' and 'Meji' and celebrate with bonfires, feasts, and traditional Bihu dances. Young people collect firewood during the day and build the Meji, which is lit at night, symbolizing the end of the old and the beginning of the new.
Paush Sankranti in West Bengal
In West Bengal, the festival is known as Paush Sankranti. It's celebrated with great fervor. People visit temples, exchange sweets, and engage in community feasts. The traditional dance, Dhunuchi Nach, is performed, where dancers hold earthen pots filled with burning coconut husks and dance to the beats of the dhol and dhunuchi.
Conclusion
Makar Sankranti or the other names it goes by in different states, signifies a time of joy, thanksgiving, and unity. Each state adds its unique flavor, making this festival a tapestry of diverse traditions and customs. It's a beautiful reminder of the interconnectedness of our lives and the importance of nature in our celebrations.
