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Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Lohri History and Significance: Cultural celebrations are held across many states of India under different names – Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Magh Bihu, etc. on January 14. Unlike many Hindu festivals, the date for these festivals is largely fixed. This year it is being celebrated on January 15 in some parts of India, as 2024 is a leap year.
What is the significance of these festivals and how are they celebrated in unique ways, although with some common threads? We explain.
The day is a marker for a change of season – warmer months are close and we are moving away from winter, which is seen as a period of inactivity in many ways. It is said that the northward journey of the sun (Uttarayan) begins on this day. In the Hindu belief system, the end of January heralds the beginning of longer days. It marks the Sun changing directions and shifting its trajectory towards the north, therefore, entering the Makara or Capricorn zodiac sign.
Astronomically, the Earth revolves around the Sun in an elliptical orbit that requires about 365 1/4 days to complete, as it continues to rotate on its own axis. As the US agency NOAA notes, “The earth’s spin axis is tilted with respect to its orbital plane. This, along with its distance from the Sun, determines the change in seasons for life on Earth.”
Further, “For the Northern Hemisphere, the axis points most toward the sun in June (specifically around June 21), and away from the sun around December 21. This corresponds to the Winter and Summer Solstice (solstice is Latin for “the sun stands”). For the Southern Hemisphere, this is reversed.” India falls in the Northern Hemisphere.
Unlike most festivals that follow the lunar cycle, Makar Sankranti follows the solar cycle and thus, is celebrated almost on the same day every year. Sankranti is worshipped as a God, who legends believe killed the devil Sankarasur.
Sankranti activities, like taking a bath, offering Naivedhya (food offered to the deity) to the Sun god Lord Surya, offering charity or Dakshina, performing Shraddha rituals and breaking fast should be done during Punya Kaal. If Makar Sankranti happens after sunset, all Punya Kaal activities are postponed till the next sunrise.
Worshippers usually bathe in sacred rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery. To celebrate the day, they wake up early in the morning at the time of sunrise. For believers, taking a dip absolves them of their sins; it is also seen as a time of peace and prosperity, and spiritual deeds are performed on this day.
There are some regional variations in celebrations. The four-day Pongal festival in Tamil Nadu begins with bhogi, the day marked for cleaning the house and decorating its entrances with rice powder kolam or rangoli made with dried and coloured vegetables and grains.
The main festival is celebrated on the second day; the third day is celebrated as Mattu Pongal. With mattu meaning bull in Tamil and ponga meaning the abundance of rice, the festival honours the toil of bulls in ensuring a good harvest. Every year, farmers assemble at the temple to offer prayers and seek blessings from Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha and Lord Krishna.
Pongal, a dish of rice mixed with boiled milk and sugar is a treat prepared by all during this festival. Other festive dishes include lemon and tamarind rice, vadas, vegetable gravies and Payasam (a sweet rice pudding).
In Karnataka, the saying “Ellu bella thindu olle mathaadi” is heard, which translates to “eat the mixture of sesame seeds and jaggery and speak good words”. According to the state government’s culture website, this saying follows a very important tradition called ‘Ellu Birodhu’. Interestingly, a similar saying is popular in Marathi: “Tilgul ghya aani god god bola” (Here, have til-gud and speak sweetly).
Women and children go door-to-door exchanging plates containing a piece of sugarcane, a mixture of sesame seeds and jaggery and candy made out of caramelised sugar. This tradition symbolises the virtues of sharing and spreading happiness. Farming communities also dress their cattle in vibrant costumes and jewels and make them jump across a big pit of fire. This showcase of cattle is locally known as ‘Kicchu Haisodu’.
In northern India, sesame and jaggery ladoos or chikkis are distributed. In Bihar, the festival is called ‘Khichdi’ and a dish of the same name (rice and lentils) is prepared. Bonfires are organised in Punjab and elsewhere, with people walking around the fire and throwing groundnuts, even popcorn in the present-day, into the blaze. Kite-flying takes place in parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat, along with the International Kite Festival held annually in Ahmedabad. In the evening, sky lanterns are flown.
