Which festival is celebrated in winter in India?
Every January 14th, people celebrate Makar Sankranti to celebrate the Sun’s move into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makara). The event is considered lucky according to Indian tradition and indicates that the sun will start shining for more hours.
Astronomically, it heralds the transition to longer days, as the Sun begins to move northward (Uttarayana). However, despite the lengthening daylight, much of northern India continues to experience winter chill throughout January.
Agricultural and Seasonal Significance
In most rural areas of India, Makar Sankranti is greatly linked to agriculture and the gathering of crops. It marks the beginning of the new harvest season which is after the Rabi crops are brought in. Farmers thank nature and the Sun God for the abundance in their crops which is why Makar Sankranti is a celebration of hope, prosperity and thankfulness.
Regional Variations and Celebrations
Even though Makar Sankranti is most widely known, Indians celebrate the festival with many other names and traditions.
- Pongal is a four-day Tamil Nadu celebration when people cook new rice with milk and jaggery.
- Punjab’s Lohri is marked by bonfires, dance and special songs to thank nature and celebrate more sunlight.
- People gather in Gujarat during Uttarayan to compete in kite flying which in turn makes the sky a colorful spectacle.
- Assam’s Magh Bihu involves a lot of eating, bonfires and traditional music at the end of harvesting season.
- In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, people observe Khichdi Parv by preparing khichdi for their friends, relatives and the poor.
Cultural Traditions
Typical Makar Sankranti celebrations include:
- Flying kites has a long history, mainly in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
- At these festivals, people light bonfires and dance in the streets.
- Making til-gud laddoos with sesame seeds and jaggery as a sign of harmony and good wishes.
- Participating in ceremonial baths in the Ganges or Godavari rivers, because it is believed to wash away sins and give blessings.
- Attiring in new outfits, going to temples and exchanging presents with one another are part of it.
Other Winter Festivals in India
Besides Makar Sankranti, people in India observe a number of other festivals during winter.
- A common way to celebrate Christmas (on December 25th) is with midnight masses, decorating and special meals.
- In Punjab, Lohri is celebrated on its own date, January 13th.
- On Republic Day (January 26th) people enjoy parades, celebrate patriotically and enjoy festivities.
- Vasant Panchami (occurs in January or February): Though technically the onset of spring, Vasant Panchami still falls in the winter calendar period in many years
Conclusion
Overall, Makar Sankranti is celebrated throughout India because of its traditions, religion and ties to agriculture. Because people celebrate Pongal, Lohri and Uttarayan, people across different regions of India enjoy the winter time as a community.
