Makar sankranti celebration in Uttar Pradesh

 

In UP, Sankranti is called “KICHERI”. The most important aspect of this day is to have a dip

at holy places. A sea of humanity can be seen bathing in the Sangam at Prayag (Allahabad) where the rivers Ganga, Jamuna and Saraswathi flow together. At the confluence of these holy rivers every year Kumbh Mela is held for full one month.

Makar sankranti celebration in Punjab

Sankranti is celebrated in Punjab as LOHARI. December and January being the coldest months of the year, huge bonfires are lit on the eve of Sankranti. Sweets, sugarcane and rice are thrown in the bonfires, around which friends and relatives gather around. The following day, which is Sankranti is celebrated as MAGHI. A sumptuous meal is prepared on

this day, and revelers also celebrate the festival through dance, like the Bhangra.

Makar sankranti celebration in Bundelkhand and Madhya Pradesh

In Bundelkhand and Madhya Pradesh, Sankranti is known by the name “SUKARAT” or “SAKARAT” and is celebrated with great pomp merriment accompanied by lot of sweets.

Makar sankranti celebration in Gujarat

The observance of Sankranti in Gujarat is more or less the same as in Maharashtra. In addition, there is also a custom of giving gifts to relatives. The elders in the family give gifts to the younger members of the family. Gujarati Pundits on this auspicious day grant scholarships to students for higher studies in astrology and philosophy. This festival is thus an important way to maintain the social relationships within the family, caste and community.

Makar sankranti celebration in Maharashtra

In Maharashtra on Sankranti, people exchange multi-coloured til-guds made from til (sesame seeds) and jaggery and til-laddus made from til and sugar. Til-polis are offered for lunch and these are specialties of Maharashtrian cuisine. When exchanging tilguls as tokens of goodwill, people greet each other saying – “til-gul ghya, god god bola” meaning “accept these tilguls and speak sweet words”. The under-lying thought in the exchange of tilguls is to forget the past ill-feelings and hostilities and resolve to speak sweetly and remain friends.

Makar Sankranti is a special day for women in Maharashtra. Married women are invited for

a get-together called “Haldi-Kumkoo” and give each other gifts of utensils by the lady of the

house.