Makar Sankranti 2024: How is auspicious festival celebrated across different states in India?

Makar Sankranti 2024: India is a land of immense devotion and festivities, where we have a plethora of cultures and traditions. When it comes to the Hindu culture, Makar Sankranti is one significant festival dedicated to Lord Surya or the Sun God.

Makar Sankranti heralds the end of winter and the start of longer days as the sun moves northward. And this period is known as Uttarayan and is considered to be very auspicious.

As Makar Sankranti falls on January 15, 2024 this year, let us read about how the auspicious festival is celebrated across different states in India. 

How Makar Sankranti is celebrated in different parts of India 

Punjab, Delhi and Haryana: In Punjab, Delhi, and Haryana celebrated as Makar Sankranti, on this auspicious day, all brothers visit their married sisters and bring them warm clothes and sweets. Married women show their affection and respect for their in-laws by giving them shawls, sweets, clothes, and other items. Families congregate in one location to celebrate the festival.

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Tamil Nadu: Makar Sankranti is known as the Pongal festival in Tamil Nadu. This festival is held for four days in a row, with each day having a different meaning. People clean and declutter their homes, as well as decorate them, on the first day. Aside from that, they wear new, colourful clothes while discarding the old ones.

Gujarat: This festival is known as Uttarayan in Gujarat and the state is well-known for its International Kite Flying Festival. After finishing their morning prayers, people gather on their terraces with colourful kites. 
During the kite flying festival, you can hear people shouting "Kai Po Che" to the losing team. Aside from that, people eat delicacies like Chikki, which is made of sesame seeds and peanuts, and Undhiyu, which is made of winter vegetables.

Assam: In Assam, it is celebrated as Bihu and marks the start of the Assamese New Year. People dress in traditional attire such as dhoti, gamosa, and saadar mekhela on this day. They also sing traditional folk songs and dance to celebrate.

Uttarakhand: In Uttarakhand, Makar Sankranti is known as Gughuti, or the festival of welcoming migratory birds. People feed Khichdi and other food items as a charity and organise donation camps.

Himachal Pradesh: Magha Saaji is celebrated as Makar Sankranti in Himachal Pradesh. Sankranti is known as Saaji in India, and Magha is the name of the month. On this day, people bathe in the holy rivers of the area and visit temples to seek the Lord's blessings.

Also Read: From Nagara architecture to 5 Mandaps: Key features of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya

Makar Sankranti marks a message, that the winter season is now clearly, leaving.

 Happy Makar Sankranti!
                     

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