Thai Pongal in Tamilnadu and Makar Sankranti are festivals that falls on the same date each year because it is based entirely on the solar calendar. Regarded as a holy festival and also an occasion to mark the harvest, different states celebrate the festival in their own unique ways.
Makara Sankranti is celebrated in Karnataka with a ritual called "Ellu Birodhu” where women exchange “Ellu Bella” (regional delicacies made using freshly cut sugarcane) with at least 10 families. Farmers celebrate as “Suggi” or ‘harvest festival’ and decorate their bulls and cows
Makar Sankranti is celebrated in Kerala as thousands throng to see the Makara Vilakku (flame on Ponnambalamedu hill) near the Sabarimala temple when the Makara Jyothi, the celestial star appears in the sky.
Makara Sankranti is celebrated in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for four days - Bhogi Panduga, Pedda Panduga, Kannuma and Mukannuma being the four days. On Pedda Panduga (Big Festival), the house is decorated with “muggu” designs, i.e. rangoli patterns and flowers
Makar Sankranti is known as “Uttarayan” in Gujarat and is celebrated for two days. The first day is Uttarayan, and the next day is Vasi-Uttarayan (Stale Uttarayan). The Gujarati people celebrate it with - “Patang” - kites, “Undhiyu” - a spicy curry and “Chikkis”
People celebrate Makara Sankranti in Maharashtra by exchanging til-gud as tokens of goodwill. People greet each other(til-gud ghyaa, aani goad-goad bola)" meaning, ‘Accept these sweets and utter sweet words.’
In Odisha, people have a form of Friendship Day on Makara where they pick a best friend for the whole year. The custom is called "Makara Basma"
In Uttarakhand, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as the festival of the migratory birds as they believe it is the season for the birds to end their migration. The locals give khichdi and other food as charity and organise fairs and meet-ups.
In whichever way you celebrate this holy festival, wish you and your family a very happy Makar Sankranti!
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