Makar Sankranti Or More? How Many Festivals Are We Celebrating In India Today?

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Makar Sankranti

Everyone these days is talking about the Khumb Mela or festivals like the Makar Sankranti, Lorhi and more. Whatever these festivals might be, it certainly reinforces the rich culture of India where in a single day several different festivals seem to be happening all at once in various parts of the country.

Here we take a look at which festivals are taking place today across India.

Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is among the biggest festivals celebrated in India and is actually observed in different ways across the country. The harvest festival marks the end of winter with the Sun transitioning from the zodiac of Sagittarius (dhanu) into the sign of ‘Capricorn’ hence the name ‘makar’.

The festival is observed in many different ways with people performing religious rituals to melas and gatherings taking place where devotees can collect and seek blessings, and give offerings to their Gods along with many also having fun and celebrating the occasion.

Kite flying is a big way of celebrating the festival.

Pongal

Pongal one of the most important festivals from Tamil Nadu also corresponds with Makar Sankranti and falls on 14th January 2025. The Hindu harvest festival that spans four days is dedicated to the Sun God and marks the end of winter solstice.

Celebrated primarily by Tamil Hindus, the name Pongal means “to boil” or “overflow” and refers to the traditional dish of the same name made from the newly harvested rice boiled with milk and jaggery. Families decorate their houses with kolam artworks or rangoli made from rice powder.

Each day of the festival has a different significance and name to it.

  • The first day which Bhogi Pongal is all about cleansing and renewal,
  • Surya or Thai Pongal is the second day and honours the Sun God with Pongal being made as an offering,
  • Mattu Pongal on the third day is a tribute to the cattle that are the most essential for farmers,
  • The festival concludes with Kaanum Pongal on the fourth day being dedicated to cultural activities and making merry.


Read More: Breakfast Babble: Wish I Could Celebrate Festivals The Way Bollywood Movies Do


Ganga Sagar Snan

Gangasagar Mela, Gangasagar Snan or Gangasagar Yatra takes place on Makar Sankranti with people coming all the way to Sagar Island in West Bengal to take a scared dip into the holy waters of the Ganga River. It is believed that doing so will rid one of their sins and help them attain Moksha or salvation.

The festival happens in West Bengal on the banks of the Hooghly River where the river Ganga meets the Bay of Bengal ocean. This sacred meeting point of a river and the ocean (sagar in Hindi) is called Gangasagar and it is believed that taking a dip at this point during this time is equal to the merit gained from performing 100 Ashwamedha Yagnas (a grand Vedic ritual).

After the Kumbh Mela, the Gangasagar Mela is considered second among the largest religious gatherings in India.

Maghe Sankranti

Maghe Sankranti is a Nepali festival called ‘Ghyo Chaku Sannu’ by the Newa people in Kathmandu. According to a report by Kathmandu Post, the term in the Newa dialect stands for “‘Ghyo’ and ‘Chaku’ mean ghee and molasses, respectively, whereas ‘Sannu’ or ‘Sankranti’ means the first day of the month ‘Magh’, per the Nepali calendar. A piece of chaku covered with ghee on top of it is called ‘Ghyo–chaku’, a special Newa delicacy.”

Devotees also take a dip in the Bagmati River before going to the temple. The festival usually occurs on the 14th of January or the first “Magh in the Vikram Sambat (B.S) or Yele calendar”. The Tharu people, an ethnic group indigenous from southern Nepal observe it as their new year.

Uttarayana Punyakala

Uttarayana is a festival holding particular significance in Gujarat and Rajasthan. The festival marks the Sun’s auspicious transition into the northern hemisphere. The festival is a more regional take on the otherwise known Makar Sankranti festival, with Uttarayana dedicated to Lord Surya (the Sun God).

Those who believe in the festival hold deep respect for it, believing it to lead devotees toward prosperity, spiritual growth, and harmony.

People perform rituals and offer their respect and gratitude to the Sun while seeking blessings for a positive year ahead. The festival has its own unique culinary dishes, with Undhiyu, a spicy baked medley of winter vegetables being a big favourite.

The dish is paired with winter favourites like Chikkis made from sesame seeds, jaggery, and peanuts, which all invoke warmth and fullness.

Hazarat Ali Birthday

The birthday of Hazrat Ali or Ali ibn Abu Talib falls on 14th January 2025. Considered to be the first Imam by Shia Muslims and the fourth Rashidun Caliph by Sunnis, his birthday is based on the 13th day of the Islamic month of Rajab.

Friends and family get together to offer their prayers to the figure in their local mosque along with elaborate foods being prepared. Hazrat Ali is also said to be the first person to be born in Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam.

While it’s an optional holiday in the rest of the country, Uttar Pradesh marks it as a public holiday.


Image Credits: Google Images

Sources: Economic Times, Moneycontrol, Hindustan Times

Find the blogger: @chirali_08

This post is tagged under: Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Ganga Sagar Snan, Maghe Sankranti, Uttarayana Punyakala, Hazarat Ali, Hazarat Ali birthday

Disclaimer: We do not hold any right, or copyright over any of the images used, these have been taken from Google. In case of credits or removal, the owner may kindly mail us.


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