Festival of "Kites"

Each state and region has its own way to celebrate maker sankranti. Makar sankranti has celebrated in different cultural forms in almost all parts of India. People believed that on this day, spring has been arrived in India and they started celebrating this day as a traditional event every year. By celebrating this festival, People from all over India used to thank God for harvesting their first crop.

This day is associated with the healthy relationship of a Father and Son. On this day Sun visits the house of his son “ Shani” who is the swami of Makar Rashi, The Puranas say that. Son has the responsibility to fulfill his father’s dream and continue his family.

This festival also represents the end of negativities and beginning of an new era which is full of positivity and right things because on this day Lord Vishnu Finishes the Asuras and ended the terror of them on earth.

India is a land of “Unity in Diversity” and our festivals are no different. The festival of makar sankranti is celebrated with the different names, under different regions with different rituals in different parts of India. Some other names of Makar Sankranti are Pongal, Bihu, Bhogi, Poki and Hadaga.

Makar Sankranti is celebrated in the North Indian States of India. Kite flying is the most exciting thing about this festival. People purchase colorful kites and flying for the whole day. People believed that the direction of the wind changes on this day. Sesame-jaggery based ladoo is a traditional sweet which is exchanged and eaten on Makar Sankranti. In north Indian States, til is considered to be the most essential item used in making their traditional sweets such as Til ka Ladoo. Kheer, Peanuts, Gudpatti, raibdi are also a part of this festival.

In Bihar and Jharkhand, Dahi choora and Khichdi is eaten on this festival. People have celebrated the festival of Pongal in the south region. The newly harvested rice is cooked and this goes over four days. Bihu is celebrated at different stages of cultivation of Paddy. It is the principle crop of Assam. Bhogi is celebrated in the honor of Indradev (God of Rain).This day begins with the oil bath and in the evening, there is a bonfire in which all the rubbish things are burnt. Poki is the occasion in which all the old things are removed. Naturally, rain is revered as it plays a very important role in our lives. In hadaga festival, Pictures of elephant are drawn everywhere to invite the God, as elephant is god Indira’s vehicle. People in Maharastra used to pray for a good monsoon and a good harvest as Indra is the god of rain.

Happy Makar Sankranti

Preeti Nagar 

HIMCOM