Top 5 Delicacies to Relish on Makar Sankranti
January is here and we are done with the winter holidays and the new year celebrations. So, what’s next? Of course, it is Makar Sankranti, the first festival of the new year. The countdown to Makar Sankranti has begun and the excitement is clearly seen! People have started their shopping and other preparations for this festival, already!
This festive extravaganza is all about togetherness, be it family gatherings, uncontrollable laughter, and thrilling kite-flying competitions that’ll leave you cheering for more! Yes, flying kites is one of the top activities of this festival. It is called Uttarayan as well and is majorly celebrated in Gujarat. But, the celebrations are done nationwide.
As the sun shines brighter, and we have longer days, Makar Sankranti becomes a vibrant celebration of light, warmth, and fresh starts. It also marks the onset of the spring season. The Makar Sankranti treats are to die for. Imagine a symphony of flavours and textures: sweet and sticky, spicy and savoury, crunchy and crispy. There are so many food items to try during this festival. Get ready to indulge in a world of gastronomic delights that’ll leave your taste buds dancing with joy!
There are so many food items that people enjoy during the Makar Sankranti. But, In this blog post, we are going to talk about the Top 5 Delicacies to Relish on Makar Sankranti. You simply cannot miss having these delicacies at this festival.
We want to give a little heads-up that reading this blog post is going to make you drool for sure. So, either be ready to treat yourself later or wait until the 14th of January and eat these delicacies in the right spirit.
Now, let’s dive into the best dishes, right here.
- Khichdi
We begin our blog post with the most important staple of Makar Sankranti and that is khichdi. If you visit Bihar, Jharkhand, and the UP side of India then you will understand the importance of this meal on this day. Khichdi is made in every household on this day. It is considered auspicious and customary. Khichdi, the ultimate comfort food, takes centre stage as one of the simplest yet most satisfying Makar Sankranti treats! There is no doubt about this one.
This dish is made with just two main ingredients: rice and moong dal. But, there are so many variants for this like dal khichdi, veg khichdi, masala khichdi, and more. Traditionally served for lunch during Makar Sankranti celebrations, khichdi is best savoured with a generous dollop of golden ghee, which adds richness and depth to this wholesome dish. Khichdi is best served with aachaar, papad, dahi, chatni, and chokha. All these are a must staple with Khichdi, you cannot enjoy this meal without these. And that’s not all – khichdi also holds a special place in Indian culture, symbolizing the values of togetherness and humility. It’s a staple dish in many Indian households, often served at family gatherings and community events as well.
- Til ke Laddoo
One of the most auspicious things to eat on Makar Sankranti is the til ke laddoo. This is one of the main rituals to do on this festival. Every house either prepares til ke laddoo or buys them to eat on this day. Most families have this as the first eatable thing on this day. Do you know what’s better than biting into a warm, Til Laddoo? It is making them with loved ones. It is a delight to see the entire family asking for these laddoos on this day. Everyone sits together and savours this delight.
There’s something special about toasting sesame seeds and melting jaggery together, filling your kitchen with that incredible aroma. It’s like a big hug in a tiny ball of sweetness. It feels sticky but tastes heavenly. It’s not very sweet and this is the reason most people enjoy it. And let’s be real, the best part is sharing those laddoos with family and friends, creating memories that’ll last long after the celebrations are over. The combination of nutty sesame seeds and earthy jaggery is absolute perfection – it’s like a taste of warmth and togetherness in every bite! So, if you have never eaten this, this Makar Sankranti is the time.
- Puran Poli
Coming right from South India to Maharashtra. Puran Poli is a Maharashtrian dish. Maharashtrians also celebrate Makar Sankranti and this is one of the top dishes they enjoy on Makar Sankranti. Get ready to meet Puran Poli, the Maharashtrian superstar of sweet treats! Yes, once again we have a sweet dish which proves that people do enjoy a lot of sweet dishes on this festival. Well, if you think, most Indian festivals are all about having sweets in major quantities. Oh, and also a variety of them!
This scrumptious paratha is the perfect festival food, stuffed with a mouthwatering mix of moong dal and jaggery. It tastes so delicious that you cannot have enough of this crazy dish. Its presentation is also very gorgeous. The soft, flaky wheat flour paratha wraps around the sweet filling like a warm hug, making each bite a delight. And the best part? Making Puran Poli is an art form – rolling, cooking, and watching it turn golden brown is a ritual in itself! Not everyone can make great Puran Polis and it is a fact. This beloved dish is a staple of Makar Sankranti celebrations, spreading joy and making special occasions even sweeter.
- Payesh
The people of South India do not celebrate Makar Sankranti but Pongal. And payesh is a dish that is eaten on Pongal. But, with the diversity in our culture payesh has been tried by people of other cultures as well. They might have started eating it on Pongal but with time it became a major staple for Makar Sankranti as well. See, that is the beauty of India that we are talking about. So, get ready to indulge in a sweet treat that’s a staple in South Indian celebrations! Say hello to Payesh, a rich and creamy dessert that’s similar to North India’s beloved Kheer. Yes, it is a sweet dish and it is very much like kheer only.
This pudding-like delight is made with a trio of tasty ingredients: rice, milk, and jaggery. The jaggery adds a unique, earthy sweetness that’ll leave you craving more. Some people also make it with sugar but that’s now how it should be made. Payesh is typically saved for special occasions and festivals, including Makar Sankranti. It’s a mouthwatering showcase of South India’s rich culinary heritage. So, go ahead and treat yourself to a bowl of Payesh – your taste buds will thank you!
- Chuda Dahi
Finally, the last one on the list of Top 5 Delicacies to Relish on Makar Sankranti is Chuda dahi. Again, this one is a staple dish to enjoy on Makar Sankranti. People coming from Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal, UP, and Jharkhand know the importance of this meal on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. This iconic Oriya delicacy is a masterful blend of flavours and textures, featuring a sweet and crunchy mixture of flattened rice (chuda) soaked in a creamy and tangy yogurt (dahi) sauce, often infused with a hint of sugar, cardamom, and a sprinkle of chopped nuts.
Most people just enjoy chuda and dahi like a sweet dish and some people also make it savoury with extra additions. As a Makar Sankranti staple, Chuda Dahi is typically served as a snack or dessert, offering a refreshing and cooling respite from the warmth of the winter sun. Mostly, people have this as breakfast. Its significance goes beyond taste, too – Chuda Dahi is often exchanged as a gift among friends and family during Makar Sankranti, symbolizing the joy of sharing and the sweetness of new beginnings. It is a great dish to enjoy and is also healthy. You can also have it everyday.
Conclusion
As the vibrant kites dot the sky and the warm sunshine casts a golden glow, Makar Sankranti is truly a celebration to savour! Makar Sankranti is one of the happiest and the most delightful festivals for sure. Every cast and culture in India celebrates this festival as per their rituals. One of the top things to do during the Makar Sankranti festival is eat loads of local delicacies.
The best way to enjoy this festival is with a plate full of scrumptious delicacies. Savouring on the best dishes is the ultimate comfort joy of this festival. From the crunchy til gud to the sweet and sticky gajar ka halwa, each dish shows the diversity of Indian cuisine. Whether you’re a foodie, a culture enthusiast, or just someone who loves a good celebration, Makar Sankranti has something for everyone. You are in for a ride when you decide to be a part of this festival’s celebrations. So go ahead, indulge in these top 5 delicacies, and let the festive spirit take over! With full bellies and happy hearts, let’s welcome the longer days and warmer nights, and make this Makar Sankranti one to remember!
January is here and we are done with the winter holidays and the new year celebrations. So, what’s next? Of course, it is Makar Sankranti, the first festival of the new year. The countdown to Makar Sankranti has begun and the excitement is clearly seen! People have started their shopping and other preparations for this…