Makar Sankranti celebrations in Maharashtra

Makar Sankranti, a harvest festival, is celebrated across the nation but with different names and in different ways. Pongal, Lohri, Uttarayan, Maghi, Khichdi, Bhogali Bihu, Pedda Panduga, Bhogi Pandigai and Makaravilakku are some other names for the same festival. It is called the harvest festival because this is the time when harvesting is completed followed by celebrations.

Makar Sankranti gets the name from the significant movement of the Zodiac on this day, when the sun enters the sun-sign of Capricorn or 'Makar'. 'Sankranti' signifies the movement of the sun from one zodiac sign to another. Thus, the name of the festival literally means the movement of the sun into Capricorn.

We will take you through the celebration of Makar Sankranti in Maharashtra.

"Til-gul ghya ani gud gud bola"

This means "eat these sesame seeds and jaggery and speak sweet words".

As it happened in the rest of the country, in Maharashtra too it is part of the tradition to exchange sweets made of sesame and jaggery, or Til-Gul, on this day. The exchange of sweets symbolises resolving hostilities and leaving behind ill-feelings and remaining friends. The agricultural significance is, the first sugarcane crop for the year is harvested during the period.

Also, since the festival falls in winter, eating sweets made of sesame and jaggery is beneficial for health as they are warm foods. Both black and white sesame have been known to generate heat in the body after digestion. Jaggery is another favorite winter staple which helps in combating against cold and is known to have heating properties. Sesame and jaggery compliment each other in taste as well as health benefits.

So the distribution of the sweet signifies bonding and good health.

It is also a part of the tradition to wear black clothes because during the winter month of January, black colour absorbs heat and retains it. Marathi married women are also invited for a get-together called ‘Haldi-Kunku’, meaning turmeric-vermillion, and given gifts such as utensils, clothes etc.

Another tradition followed in Maharashtra is of kite-flying. Colorful kites, made of different shapes and sizes, are also flown even in cities to reach out to the Gods.

This blog is powered by Baidyanath Life Sciences, who bring you authentic Ayurvedic wellness treatments through its centres in Nagpur. Contact us at (0712) 2551413/(0712) 2440020 to schedule an appointment.