Makar Sankranti – A Festival of Harvest, Hope, and Happiness

Hello dear readers,  

I’m Girish Kallihal, and I’m excited to share the joy and significance of one of India’s most cherished festivals – Makar Sankranti! As we step into this beautiful occasion, let’s explore why this festival holds a special place in our hearts, especially in Karnataka and across India.  

The Significance of Makar Sankranti 

Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun into Capricorn (Makara Rashi), signaling the end of winter and the arrival of longer, warmer days. Unlike most Indian festivals that follow the lunar calendar, Makar Sankranti is based on the solar cycle, making it one of the few festivals that fall on a fixed date every year – January 14th or 15th.  

It is not just a festival; it’s a celebration of harvest, prosperity, and gratitude. Farmers rejoice as their hard work bears fruit, and communities come together to share joy, sweets, and traditions.  

How India Celebrates Makar Sankranti 

What makes Makar Sankranti unique is the way different regions celebrate it with their own customs and names:  

1. Pongal (Tamil Nadu): A four-day festival where people prepare sweet rice called Pongal and thank the Sun God for a bountiful harvest.  

2. Lohri (Punjab): Bonfires light up the night as people dance to Bhangra beats, offering sesame seeds, jaggery, and peanuts.  

3. Uttarayan (Gujarat): The sky turns colorful with kite-flying competitions, filling the air with shouts of "Kai Po Che!"  

4. Bhogali Bihu (Assam): People feast, dance, and sing, celebrating the harvest season with great enthusiasm.  

5. Khichdi (Uttar Pradesh & Bihar): Special dishes like khichdi (a mix of rice and lentils) are prepared, and people take holy dips in rivers like Ganga.  

6. Suggi Habba (Karnataka): A festival dedicated to farmers, where houses are decorated with rangoli, cows and bulls are adorned with flowers, and people exchange ellu-bella (sesame seeds and jaggery), saying "Ellu bella thindu olle maathadi", meaning "Eat sweet and speak sweet."  

Traditions and Rituals  

1. Kite Flying: The skies are painted with vibrant kites, symbolizing the rise of positivity and new beginnings.  

2. Holy Bath & Charity: Many people take a holy dip in rivers and donate food, clothes, and money to those in need.  

3. Ellu-Bella & Special Foods: In Karnataka, families prepare and exchange ellu-bella, signifying harmony and friendship. Traditional dishes like yellu sakkare (sesame sugar balls), sakkare achchu (sugar figurines), and sweet pongal are also enjoyed.  

4. Kicchu Haayisuvudu: In rural Karnataka, cattle are decorated, worshipped, and paraded, and in some places, they even jump over fire in a ritual called Kicchu Haayisuvudu, believed to remove negative energy.  

A Festival of New Beginnings 

Makar Sankranti is a festival of gratitude, sharing, and the importance of nature. It is a time to reflect on our blessings, set new goals, and move forward with warmth and positivity—just like the Sun moving into its new phase.  

So, as you celebrate this festival, fly high like a kite, embrace the warmth of the Sun, and spread sweetness like ellu-bella!  

Wishing you all a very Happy Makar Sankranti!  

-Girish Kallihal