Rituals of Makar Sankranti celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, and UP
14th/15th January is one of the biggest dates in India. It is so because there are many festivals celebrated on this date. India is known for many festivals already and this date is crazy because every religion in India celebrates their unique festival on this day. One of the major festivals of the day is Makar Sankranti. Makar Sankranti is widely celebrated in India and it is a major festival of Bihar, Jharkhand, and UP. So, in this blog post, we are going to talk about the celebrations of this festival in these states.
In the vibrant states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh, Makar Sankranti is a two-day extravaganza! The festivities kick off with a refreshing ceremonial bath in nearby water bodies, followed by the sharing of traditional delicacies. There is no dearth to the delicacies you will be enjoying on this day. On the second day, people eat traditional meals like khichdi and chokha, and indulging in joyful activities like kite flying and attending local melas.
Makar Sankranti is a significant festival in India that celebrates the Sun’s journey into the Capricorn zodiac, referred to as Makar Rashi. This auspicious day is dedicated to Lord Surya, the Sun God, and is observed with great enthusiasm across the country. It’s a time for harvesting, feasting, and merriment! People start their day with a ceremonial bath, watching the first rays of the Sun, and then indulge in sweet treats, new clothes, and joyful celebrations. Wearing new clothes is also a prime thing to do on this day. It’s a festival that marks the beginning of longer days, warmer weather, and a fresh start.
Makar Sankranti is a time of celebration for India’s farmers, marking the end of the harvest season. They express gratitude to their loyal cattle, trusty tools, and fertile land for a bountiful harvest. It is also celebrated as Lohri in Punjab. As they pray for a prosperous year ahead, the festival becomes a symbol of good fortune and blessings. Across India, diverse regions observe unique customs and rituals, making Makar Sankranti a vibrant tapestry of traditions.
Let us read about the different rituals of this festival in detail.
- The Sacred Ganga Snaan
As we mentioned earlier, the first thing to do on Makar Sankranti is to take a holy dip in the Ganga, Yamuna, or Kaveri Rivers. This is something most people do in Bihar, Jharkhand, and UP. They make sure to take a holy dip in any river nearby them at sunrise time. This is done before eating anything. People do this to seek blessings, ask for forgiveness, and to ask for salvation. Devotees do this to cleanse their sins and bestow spiritual merit.
There is a huge crowd in almost all river points because devotees flock over there to take the best dip. They also perform some puja rituals and while returning from the rivers they exchange sweets, donate some sweets to the less fortunates and start their day by having tilkut or til ke laddoo. Mostly, the elderly people do this activity but these days we are seeing a rise in the number of youths who are performing these activities.
- The Traditional Meal Party
Makar Sankranti is all about hearty traditional meals. Get ready to dive into the festive fun of Makar Sankranti, also known as Khichdi Parv in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and even Jharkhand! This is the main lunch to enjoy on this day. But, before that, people enjoy a hearty breakfast like chuda dahi, til ke laddoo, tilkut, and more.
Imagine taking a refreshing dip in the sacred Ganges River, followed by heartfelt prayers and offerings to the divine. This is the first thing that most people do and post that they start with these traditional meal-eating fests. That’s exactly what millions of people do every year in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand!
The excitement reaches its peak at Allahabad, Varanasi, and Haridwar, where over 2 million devotees gather to take the holy dip. It’s a sight to behold! And, guess what? The famous Kumbh Mela, one of the world’s largest spiritual gatherings, takes place during Khichdi Parv! People from all over India and the globe flock to Uttar Pradesh to seek blessings, connect with others, and experience the magic of this incredible festival!
Khichdi is prepared in most Hindu households on this day that is accompanied with chokha, chatni, ghee, aachaar, papad, begun bhaja, and curd. Eating all these is a must on this day.
- Paika Dance
This is an authentic Jharkhandi activity carried out in the outskirts of the state by the natives. Makar Sankranti is also called Tutu Parab in Jharkhand. It is one of the main festivals of the state. In the vibrant villages of Jharkhand, Makar Sankranti comes alive with traditional dances like the energetic Paika dance. The villagers dance to the rhythmic beats in their colourful costumes. Their infectious enthusiasm showcases the rich cultural heritage of the region. Paika Nritya, is a folk dance from the Munda tribe of Jharkhand. The Paika dance is a dynamic display of martial artistry, performed to honour esteemed guests or as part of vibrant religious processions, showcasing the community’s warm hospitality and deep devotion.
Paika dance is a high-energy performance where teams of 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11 dancers come together to show off their synchronised moves. They wear shields and swords and are ready for action in their attires! They rock traditional dhotis with fancy peacock feathers that add a touch of drama to their dynamic dance. The beat drops and the music begins – Nagara drums, Dhak beats, Shehnai melodies, and Narsingh harmonies all come together to create an unforgettable experience!
- Religious Songs Around the Bonfire
One of the main rituals of Sankranti is organising a bonfire and performing different activities around it. Bonfires are lit with sesame seeds offered to the gods. It is somewhat similar to Lohri. Religious songs about Tila Sakraat are sung by the people. People also exchange different sweets and delicacies of the day around the fire. It is a merry time that is highly awaited by people.
- Maghi Mela
Get ready for the ultimate festive bash in Bihar! Yes, you can call it that. In Gaya, the Maghi Mela is the place to be during Makar Sankranti! Imagine thousands of pilgrims gathering to take a refreshing dip in the sacred river, followed by prayers, songs, and dances that’ll lift your spirits! This is one of the biggest melas of the state that is held and attended by so many devotees. It’s a vibrant celebration of culture, faith, and community – think colourful processions, lively folk performances, and delicious local treats! It is a delight and a whole new experience to attend the Maghi Mela.
- Auspicious Donations
It’s time to spread the love and sweetness during Makar Sankranti! People exchange thoughtful gifts like jaggery and sesame seeds, symbolising the joy of sharing and caring. And, in a heartwarming tradition, parents shower their married daughters with love and kitchen goodies – think shiny new pots, pans, and utensils to make their cooking lives easier and more delightful! Some food items are also given to the Brahmins or priests as that is considered auspicious on this day.
Legends of Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is a festival packed with fascinating legends and stories! We are sure you know some, and you might not know many. Let’s dive into some of the coolest tales surrounding this celebration. Our culture is so wide that there is always something to learn about. Imagine the Gods taking a snooze during the month of Poush, only to wake up refreshed and ready to party during Makar Sankranti! Doesn’t this sound cool or let’s say we made it sound fancy? Well, but it is the story surrounding it. Let’s read more. This marks the beginning of an auspicious phase, making it the perfect time for important events like weddings and naming ceremonies.
One month from December 14 to January 14 is not considered auspicious for doing nice activities like weddings, naming ceremonies, buying new things, etc. So, Makar Sankranti marks the end of this all. It is also the beginning of the harvest season in our culture.
But that’s not all! There are more stories to it. Did you know that Bhishma, the legendary warrior from the Mahabharata, chose to leave his mortal body on this special day? It’s believed that those who pass away on Makar Sankranti are freed from the cycle of rebirth. They attain param moksha. And then there’s the amazing story of Lord Krishna lifting the entire Govardhan Parvat mountain with his little finger to save the villagers from a major storm! Talk about superhero skills! So, there are so many stories about Makar Sankranti that make it a great festival.
Makar Sankranti is also a day of forgiveness and reconciliation. According to legend, Lord Sun forgives his son, Lord Shani, on this day, teaching us the importance of letting go of past conflicts and nurturing our relationships. Most of our festivals have a story like this. This shows that our festivals teach us so much. These stories and many more make Makar Sankranti a festival that’s steeped in mythology, spirituality, and fun!
14th/15th January is one of the biggest dates in India. It is so because there are many festivals celebrated on this date. India is known for many festivals already and this date is crazy because every religion in India celebrates their unique festival on this day. One of the major festivals of the day is…