Traditional Indian Foods For Makar Sakranti

What is Makar Sakranti?

Makar Sankranti is an ancient Indian festival that marks the beginning of the harvest season and the end of the month with the longest night (Paush/Magha) according to the Hindu lunar calendar. It is celebrated every year on January 14th, and is one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar. In this article, we dive into the key Indian foods for Makar Sakranti.

Makar Sankranti is a festival that is steeped in tradition and culture, and is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm throughout India. The festival is celebrated in different ways across the country, with each region having its own unique customs and traditions. It is a time for people to come together and celebrate the end of the winter solstice and the start of the harvest season.

The festival is celebrated by taking a dip in holy rivers, flying kites, performing puja and offering prayers, and exchanging sweets and savouries with friends and family. People also visit temples and offer prayers to the Sun God, Surya, seeking blessings for a bountiful harvest and happiness. The festival is also associated with the Hindu deity Lord Surya, who is considered the god of light and energy.

Origins of Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti has been celebrated in India for thousands of years, and its origins can be traced back to the Vedic period. The festival is mentioned in many ancient texts, including the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. It is believed that the festival was first celebrated to mark the beginning of the harvest season, and to thank the Sun God for the warmth and light that he provides.

Key traditions and ways to celebrate Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal across India, and is one of the most important festivals in the Hindu calendar. Some of the key characteristics of the festival include:

• Taking a dip in holy rivers: It is believed that taking a dip in holy rivers on Makar Sankranti washes away one’s sins and brings good luck.
• Flying kites: Makar Sankranti is also known as the Kite Festival, and people of all ages can be seen flying kites on this day.
• Exchanging sweets and savouries: It is a custom to exchange sweets and savouries with friends and family as a sign of love and friendship.
• Performing puja and offering prayers: People visit temples and offer prayers to the Sun God, Surya, seeking blessings for a bountiful harvest and happiness.

Regional variations

Makar Sankranti is celebrated in different ways across India, with each region having its own unique customs and traditions. Some of the popular regional variations of Makar Sankranti include:

Gujarat

Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Uttarayan in Gujarat, and is known for its colorful kite flying festival. People of all ages can be seen flying kites from the early hours of the morning till late at night.

Maharashtra

Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Til Gul Ghya, God God Bola in Maharashtra. On this day, people exchange til-gul, a sweet made from sesame seeds and jaggery, and exchange greetings.

Andhra Pradesh

Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Pedda Panduga in Andhra Pradesh. On this day, people prepare special dishes like Pongal and offer it to the Sun God.

Tamil Nadu

Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Pongal in Tamil Nadu. On this day, people prepare special dishes like Pongal and offer it to the Sun God. They also decorate their homes with kolams (rangolis) made of rice flour, and participate in bull-taming events called Jallikattu.

West Bengal

Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Poush Sankranti in West Bengal. On this day, people prepare special dishes like pithe (sweet rice cakes) and offer it to the Sun God. They also participate in traditional folk performances like dhali and kumari puja.

Bihar

Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Maghi in Bihar. On this day, people take a dip in the Ganges river and offer prayers to the Sun God. They also participate in traditional folk dances and songs, and exchange sweets and savouries with friends and family.

Karnataka

Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Suggi in Karnataka. On this day, people prepare special dishes like ellu-bella (a mixture of sesame seeds and jaggery) and offer it to the Sun God. They also participate in traditional bull-taming events called Kambala.

Makar Sankranti is a vibrant and ancient festival that brings together people from all walks of life to celebrate the end of the winter solstice and the start of the harvest season. The festival is steeped in tradition and culture and is celebrated in different ways across the country, each region having its own unique customs and traditions. It is a time for people to come together and celebrate the warmth and light provided by the Sun God, seeking blessings for a bountiful harvest and happiness.

Traditional Indian Foods for Makar Sakranti

Makar Sankranti is a traditional Indian festival that marks the beginning of the harvest season and is celebrated in various parts of India. Here are some traditional Indian foods that are typically enjoyed during Makar Sankranti:

Tilgul / Til Ladoo / Sesame laddoo

Til ke Ladoo Recipe

Til ke Ladoo, also known as Til Ladoo or Sesame Ladoo, is a traditional Indian sweet made from sesame seeds, jaggery, and a few other ingredients. It is a popular sweet in northern India, especially during the winter months and on festivals like Makar Sankranti and Lohri. The ladoo is known for its rich nutty flavor and is a great source of energy due to the presence of sesame seeds. It is also rich in magnesium, calcium, and other minerals.

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Tilgul is a sweet made with sesame seeds and jaggery. It is often given as a prasad (offering) during Makar Sankranti. On of the most common Indian foods for Makar Sakranti.

Pithla bhakri

Pithla is a lentil-based dish that is often served with bhakri, which is a type of Indian flatbread made from millet or sorghum.

Pithla Bhakri Recipe

Pithla Bhakri is a traditional Maharashtrian dish that is made from a simple dough of gram flour (besan) and water and is served with a spicy and flavorful Pithla (watery gram flour curry) made from gram flour, onion, garlic, and various spices. This dish is commonly consumed by farmers as it is easy to make and isa very filling dish. It is a very popular dish in rural areas of Maharashtra and is often made during festivals and special occasions. It is also known as "Pithla-Bhakri" in Maharashtra, "Pithla-Bhakri" in Gujarat and "Pithla-Bhakri" in Goa.

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Dubki Kadhi

Dubki Kadhi is a traditional dish from Maharashtra, it’s a curry made from yogurt and besan (gram flour), and it’s seasoned with cumin and mustard seeds.

Gajak

Gajak is a type of sweet made from sesame seeds and jaggery. It is a popular winter snack and is often enjoyed during Makar Sankranti.

Gajak Recipe

Gajak is a traditional sweet that is made from sesame seeds and jaggery. It is a popular sweet that is often served during the festival of Lohri, which is celebrated in the northern parts of India. Gajak is a crunchy and sweet treat that is made by roasting sesame seeds and mixing them with jaggery or sugar. The mixture is then shaped into small bars or balls and can be enjoyed as a snack or a sweet treat. Gajak is known for its nutty flavor and is considered as a healthy sweet as sesame seeds are rich in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.

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Khichdi

Khichdi Recipe

Khichdi, also known as Huggi or Kitchari, is a dish made with a mixture of rice and lentils, seasoned with spices and often served with a dollop of ghee. It is a staple food in many Indian households, particularly in northern and western India, and is considered to be a comfort food. The dish is made by cooking rice and lentils together with spices, such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chili powder, until they are soft and tender. The end result is a delicious, warm and comforting dish that is perfect for any time of the day.

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Khichdi is a dish made from rice and lentils, it’s a comforting and hearty dish and it’s often enjoyed during Makar Sankranti.

Gud Papdi

Gud Papdi is a sweet made from wheat flour and jaggery. It’s a popular snack and prasad (offering) during Makar Sankranti.

Peanut chikki

Peanut chikki is a sweet made from peanuts and jaggery, it’s a popular snack and prasad (offering) during Makar Sankranti.

Sesame chikki

Sesame chikki is a sweet made from sesame seeds and jaggery, it’s a popular snack and prasad (offering) during Makar Sankranti.

Kale Chane ki Kadhi

Kale chane ki kadhi is a dish made from black chickpeas and yogurt, it’s seasoned with cumin and other spices. It’s a popular dish during Makar Sankranti.

Pongal

Pongal is a dish made from rice and lentils, it’s a popular dish in South India and is often enjoyed during Makar Sankranti.

Chakli

Chakli is a type of deep-fried snack made from a mixture of flours and spices, it’s a popular snack during Makar Sankranti.

Kite-shaped sweets

Kite-shaped sweets are a popular prasad (offering) during Makar Sankranti as kite flying is a popular activity during this festival.

Gud Gulia

Gud Gulia is a sweet made from puffed rice and jaggery, it’s a popular snack and prasad (offering) during Makar Sankranti.

Sesame chikki

Sesame chikki is a sweet made from sesame seeds, jaggery and other ingredients such as dry fruits and nuts. It’s a popular prasad (offering) during Makar Sankranti.

Roti with Ghee and Jaggery

Roti with ghee and jaggery is a simple but delicious dish that is often enjoyed during Makar Sankranti. The ghee and jaggery provide a sweet and rich flavor that is perfect for the cold winter months.

Mixed Vegetable Curry

Mixed vegetable curry is a dish made with a variety of vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and green beans. It’s seasoned with a variety of spices and is often enjoyed with roti or rice during Makar Sankranti.

Vada Pav

Vada Pav is a popular street food in Maharashtra, it’s made with a deep-fried potato dumpling (vada) that is sandwiched between two slices of bread (pav) along with some chutneys, it’s a staple food during Makar Sankranti.

The Indian Foods For Makar Sakranti vary depending on the region and community, and many families have their own unique recipes and traditions associated with Makar Sankranti. Some of these foods may also be enjoyed throughout the year, but they are especially popular during the festival.

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