EdBlogs

How is Sankranthi Celebrated Differently Across Various States in India?

Sankranthi, one of India's most significant harvest festivals, is a celebration of the sun's journey towards the northern hemisphere, marking the beginning of longer days and warmer temperatures. While the festival is observed across the country, each state has its unique traditions, customs, and ways of celebrating Sankranthi. As we traverse the country, let's delve into the diverse ways Sankranthi is celebrated across India.
Andhra Pradesh & Telangana: Sankranthi
In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Sankranthi is celebrated for three days. On the first day, Bhogi, people clean their homes, discard old items, and burn them to symbolize new beginnings. The second day, Sankranthi, is dedicated to prayers for the Sun God and food offerings. The third day, Kanuma, focuses on cattle, with rituals performed for animals, especially bulls, which are vital for farming. Special foods like pulihora and sweets made from sesame seeds and jaggery are prepared and shared with loved ones.
Tamil Nadu: Pongal
In Tamil Nadu, Sankranthi is celebrated as Pongal over four days. The first day, Bhogi, involves discarding old items and cleaning homes. On the second day, Pongal, a sweet and savory rice dish made with freshly harvested rice, milk, and sugarcane is cooked and offered to the Sun God in gratitude for the harvest. The third day, Mattu Pongal, is dedicated to cattle, with prayers and decorations for cows and bulls. The fourth day, Kaanum Pongal, is for family reunions, where people visit relatives, exchange gifts, and enjoy music, dance, and folk performances like kolam and silambam(a martial art).
Maharashtra: Makara Sankranthi
Makar Sankranthi in Maharashtra is a lively festival celebrated with various customs, including the exchange of tilgul (a sweet made from sesame seeds and jaggery) with the greeting “Tilgul ghya, god god bola,” promoting harmony and goodwill. Kite flying is a key tradition, filling the skies with color. Families enjoy sweets like Puran Poli and tilgul ladoos, while cattle are decorated and worshipped in rural areas. The day includes socializing, community events, and folk music, celebrating the harvest and the season’s warmth, symbolizing renewal, unity, and gratitude.
Punjab: Lohri & Maghi
In Punjab, Lohri and Maghi celebrate the end of winter and the start of the harvest season. Lohri, the first day, is a lively festival with bonfires, traditional songs, Bhangra and Gidda dancing, and offerings of sesame seeds, jaggery, and sugarcane to honor the harvest. The next day, Maghi is more spiritual, with people taking holy dips in rivers and praying to the Sun God for health and prosperity. Lohri celebrates abundance, while Maghi focuses on rituals and prayers, together bringing the community together in celebration and spiritual practices.
Gujarat: Uttarayan
Uttarayan in Gujarat is one of the grandest celebrations of Sankranthi.’Uttara’ means ‘north’ and ‘Ayan’ means ‘movement’. It is particularly famous for the grand tradition of kite flying. On this day, the skies are filled with colorful kites, and people gather on rooftops to engage in friendly kite-flying competitions. Special sweets like undhiyu (mixed vegetables dish) and tilgul are prepared and shared, and families visit each other to exchange gifts and enjoy meals. In rural areas, it is also a time for cattle worship and celebrating the harvest.
Assam: Magh Bihu
In Assam, Magh Bihu and Uruka are key parts of the Bihu festival. Uruka, celebrated on the eve of Magh Bihu, is a day for family and community gatherings, featuring a feast and the Meji (bonfire) to mark the end of the old year and the start of the harvest season. Traditional foods like pitha (rice cakes), larus (sweet balls), and local delicacies are enjoyed. Magh Bihu, the main day, celebrates the harvest of crops like rice, mustard, and sugarcane with community gatherings, Bihu dance, and games. In rural areas, bullock cart races, cockfights, and other games add to the festive spirit.

Though Sankranthi is celebrated across India, its regional variations showcase the diversity of the country. From the sugarcane offerings in Tamil Nadu to the kite flying in Gujarat, the harvest festival transcends regional boundaries, connecting people through a shared sense of gratitude and joy. Regardless of how it’s celebrated, Sankranthi remains a time for renewal, reflection, and celebration of the abundance of nature. It is a festival that reminds us of the importance of family, tradition, and community, all while bringing together people from different walks of life in a vibrant celebration of culture.

"HAPPY SANKRANTHI"


Author Bio:
G.V.L.Saranya
3rd year B.Tech ECE (Andhra University)
 



All Add Comments

Venkatesh Panyam(PV Sir)    3 m ago

I love this blog

  • 0 Likes
  • |
  • Reply
  • You may also like

    • K. Hanumantha Rao
      Published 7d+

    Think Differently

    A glance at Indian history reveals that India was not only a knowledge society but also an industrial society. Our intellectuals and researchers were called rishis. India was a rich and prosperous country,

    • Padala Satyanarayana (SN Sir)
      Published 7d+

    Quantum Computers

    Abstract—This research suggests that quantum computing brings together ideas from classical information theory, computer science, and quantum physics. This modern way of computing is based on the

    • VENKATESH PANYAM
      Published 7d+

    JEE Mains-2019-Physics Analysis

    To succeed in any competitive exam students should know how the questions were framed in the exam. To understand this every teacher recomends the students to solve the previous exam papers.When a student

    • Dr.Lakshmi Hymavathi.K
      Published 7d+

    Basics are basic!

    Basics are basic!I enjoy myself conversing with my sister’s two daughters who are in their teenage.  They bring in lots of joy, childish blabber, innocent laughter, filmy jokes, surprise,

    • Dr. Ravi Saripalle
      Published 7d+

    Story of a boy from GVP to Apple!

    The Story of a boy from GVP to Apple! Humble Beginning to Whopping Package! Studious to Super coder!! Read this Interesting Story of a GVPcian!Dear Students and FriendsAs I said before, I met a GVPCE

    • Edgroom
      Published 7d+

    Choosing Law as a Career

    In any society, a certain set of rules has to exist for citizens to abide by. Laws are made by experienced jurists to ensure peace and harmony in the society. In the absence of these laws, people are bound

    • Dr. Ravi Saripalle
      Published 7d+

    Sunny, Storm and Serene: An inspiring story of Vivekananda

    Writing this Story with my Heart! Story of My Dearest Student Vivekananda 1.0 as Student and Vivekananda 2.0 as Entrepreneur with Tallest Adversity Quotient! Sunny, Storm and Serene! Life in 3 Words! Dear

    • Dr. Ravi Saripalle
      Published 7d+

    Seiryu-Miharashi

    This Railway Station is created for a Purpose, without an Entrance, Exit or a Ticket Machine! Did you create such stations in your life journey or only planning to stop at the final Carriage and Wagon

    • Dr. Ravi Saripalle
      Published 7d+

    The You of Yesterday Won’t Be the You of Tomorrow—How Does Your Situation Reflect That?

    The You of Yesterday Won’t Be the You of Tomorrow—How Does Your Situation Reflect That?Dear Friends,Samsung's remarkable journey began in 1938 as a grocery trading business in Daegu,

    • Edgroom
      Published 7d+

    Law Entrance Exams

    Nowadays the students choosing LAW as a career has increased a lot. In order to get an admission they need to write a lot of admission tests . To help such students , a list of popular Law entrance exams

    • Dr. Ravi Saripalle
      Published 7d+

    Don’t ask for Hike! Ask for Mike

    Is it an End of Great Resignation and welcoming Stagflation or high misery index? Are you Dear to Your Boss? Else, you will end up Dear to your Loss? Don't ask for a Hike! Ask for a Mike!! Read this

    • Dr. Ravi Saripalle
      Published 7d+

    Embracing the Flame

    Embracing the Flame: Raghu Prakash's Inspirational Journey into IIT Bhubaneswar Thermal EngineeringDear Friends and StudentsHeart-touching story of our student! I am also equally happy to read