Makar Sankranti is celebrated across India in many ways and the cultural significance varies according to each state. Here's how it is celebrated in Gujarat.
Makar Sankranti is celebrated across India in various ways and the cultural significance of this festival varies according to different regions of the country. As you move from one state to another, you will see every state celebrating and welcoming the upcoming new season in their own indigenous way.
It is known that Makar Sankranti is the first Indian festival that falls in the New Year. It is one of the major harvest festivals that is celebrated on January 14, of every year. It is considered to be an important festival of the Hindu and is celebrated everywhere in the country in various cultural forms and different names.
Every region celebrates the festival in numerous ways according to the geographical area, culture, and traditions. Read on to know how is Makar Sankranti is celebrated in Gujarat:
Makar Sankranti in Gujarat
Many people release a lantern into the air as a mark of the upcoming season, also called the Uttaryan celebration in Gujarat. There is no better place to celebrate this festival than the state of Gujarat. This state located in the western regions of the country comes alive during the festival of Makar Sankranti, which symbolises the end of the cold season and the beginning of the longer days. You will witness the festive spirits days before the festival begins.
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Popularly known as the Festival of Kites, the state of Gujarat celebrated this version of Makar Sankranti with great enthusiasm.
Also known as 'Uttarayan' in Gujarat, the festival is celebrated for two days. The first day is called 'Uttarayan' and the next day is called as 'Vasi-Uttarayan'. The people of Gujarat celebrate this glorious festival with Kites, 'Undhiyu' and 'Chikkis'.
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The biggest thing to watch is the kites flying high in the sky. Hundreds of contests from across the world come to participate in this Kite Festival.
You will find children and adults spending hours on terraces, flying kites and giving instructions to cut other kites in the sky. You will see them screaming Kai Po Che when they finally manage to cut the kite.
ALSO READ | Makar Sankranti 2020: Know The Best Places To Fly Your Beautiful Kite In Maharashtra
Makar Sankranti Cuisine
Another big part is the food. Undhiyu and Chikki are the two famous dishes from Gujarat that is savoured all across the country. Undhiyu is prepared by combining all the winter vegetables and spicy curry. The dish will definitely leave you mouth-watering. Next comes the Chikki which is a sweet that is prepared from sesame seeds, peanuts and jaggery.
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Makar Sankranti 2020: Check Out These Places In Uttar Pradesh To Fly Kites
Makar Sankranti 2020 falls on January 14 today and here are the few locations in UP where you can stroll through and take Instagram worthy pictures. See details
Kite flying is a famous tradition that is celebrated during Makar Sankranti. It is usually celebrated on 14th of every January. It is a nostalgic tradition that has been followed since the times of our great grandfathers. In Uttar Pradesh, the locations like Aminabad and Hazratganj are full of colourful kites in all shapes and sizes.
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Makar Sankranti 2020 celebrations in Uttar Pradesh
In Uttar Pradesh, the festival is called as Kicheri where the people go through the religious bathing traditions on this day. Around two million people gather at Allahabad, Haridwar, and Varanasi on this day to dip in the holy Ganges on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. people eat laddoos made of sesame and jaggery, it was called as 'tillava' in Bhojpuri. People celebrate Makar Sankranti in many states including UP, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Varanasi
Varanasi kite festival has been celebrated for hundreds of years ago, people celebrate this festival for good fortune as well as meet socially on this day. People from any age, sex and race celebrate the kite festival by locating the tallest buildings to fly their kites from. Basically the kites festival is won by the one who kept the kites on the sky for a longer time by using skilful flight techniques.
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Lucknow
Kankawwa is the Lucknowi style of kite that was made during the times of Nawabs. The kites are heavy and are usually shaped like a bird flying. People consider kite flying as a trending competition during Makar Sankranti. The jamghats are arranged across the whole city in Lucknow. Special ghats are arranged for these kite flying festivals where people gather and some may even follow betting practices on who will win the kite flying festival.
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Makar Sankranti 2020: Know The Best Places To Fly Your Beautiful Kite In Maharashtra
Makar Sankranti is one of the favourite festivals in India. On this day, people enjoy flying kites. Know where in Maharashtra you can enjoy kite-flying
Makar Sankranti is a fun festival. This is probably the time you will see a colourful sky, filled with colourful kites. On this festive day, people celebrate by flying kites and have fun with their family and friends. To fly a kite, you need the proper amount of wind and space. Here are a few places where you will find people flying their beautiful kite in Maharashtra and catch some Instagram-worthy pictures:
Best Instagram worthy pictures this Makar Sankranti
Amarsons Garden:
This is the best spot for kite flying as it has palm trees all over, a beach, pathways, and beautiful view. You can go to Amarsons Garden with your family or friends and enjoy Makar Sankranti on the beach. You will find good space and wind there. You can also enjoy some good food along with flying kites. This place is beautiful during Makar Sankranti as the sky is colourful, the beach is next to you and the palm trees keep you calm. Here you can grab on some worthy pictures for your Instagram for sure.
Read: Makar Sankranti 2020: All About The Hindu Festival Of India
Juhu Chowpatty
You will love flying here as it is a big open. The fresh air at the beach is another plus point to the festivities. However, a major downfall is that the place is always filled with tourists as the Juhu Chowpatty is a popular tourist spot in the city. If you are okay with the crowd, then you should definitely consider going there on a festive day and click a picture with the crowd and show their love for Makar Sankranti.
Read: Makar Sankranti 2020: Maharashtrian Dishes Prepared On The Auspicious Day
Shivaji park
Shivaji Park is one of the best spots for flying kites as it is big and open. There are also cricketers playing there. This park is the best choice if in case you have a kid along, kids will absolutely love this park for flying kites. The park is located in Dadar west and it is open all day long.
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When Is Makar Sankranti In 2020? Know All About The Kite Flying Festival In India
When is Makar Sankranti? People are often wondering if ‘Makar Sankranti on January 14 or January 15.’ read here to know the date and all about the festival
When is Makar Sankranti this year? People are often wondering if ‘Makar Sankranti is on January 14 or January 15.’ Usually, the festival is celebrated on January 14, but in some exceptions, Makar Sankranti dates can differ.
In 2020, Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on January 15. As per reports, Makar Sankranti is set by the solar cycle of the Hindu lunisolar calendar. It is observed on a day which usually falls on January 14 of the Gregorian calendar, but sometimes on 15 January.
Makar Sankranti is celebrated with a lot of fervour in India. The festival is a religious celebration as well as a seasonal observance and marks the winter solstice. This day is also known as Maghi and it also marks the first day of the Sun’s transit into Makar (Capricorn) and is observed in the month of January.
Also read | Makar Sankranti 2020: Maharashtrian Dishes Prepared On The Auspicious Day
What is Sankranti?
Makar Sankranti marks the end of Malmaas, an inauspicious month in the Hindu (Panchang) calendar, and the transition of the Sun to the zodiacal sign of Makar (Capricorn) to herald a change in season. It is celebrated in the north as Lohri, in Assam as Bhogali Bihu and in the south as Pongal. Lohri, Pongal and Bihu will continue to be celebrated on January 13 and 14 because they are held according to date, and not as per the transition of change in the Hindu calendar.
On this day, many devotees take a dip in rivers like Ganga, Godavari, Yamuna, Krishna and Cauvery. It is often believed that this washes away their sins. It is also considered a time of peace and prosperity and many spiritual practices are conducted on this day.
Every 12 years, along with Makar Sankranti celebrations, the Kumbh Mela also takes place, which is one of the world’s largest mass privileges. Sesame and jaggery laddoos or chikkis are distributed on this day. Popularly referred to as til-gud. The sweet signifies that people must stay together in peace and harmony despite their differences.
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Makar Sankranti 2020: Nine Simple Ways To Make A Kite For Kids
Makar Sankranti 2020 is here, and many people are seen buying kites to celebrate the festival. But why buy kites when you can make it in these 9 simple ways.
Kite Flying is known to be a popular tradition that is celebrated during the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti 2020. The festival is celebrated usually on January 14 every year. Makar Sankranti 2020 is celebrated in various ways in India.
Hindus and Sikhs call it Makar Sankranti, but a few states have their lingual names for the festival. In states like West Bengal, Makar Sankranti is called Poush sôngkrānti and in Assam, it is called Magh Bihu. Since one of the ways of celebrating Makar Sankranti is flying kites, here is one of the simplest ways to make kites for kids.
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How to make a kite?
Fold your paper in half diagonally. Crease the paper well and open it up again.
Take the smaller stick (Coconut broomstick) and tape it to the crease line that you have created.
After taping the first stick, take the long stick and tape it to the two empty sides (Arc-like structure).
Cut the excess tape and then add ribbons or the piece of papers on a corner opposite to the arc.
These ribbons or strips of paper will help your kite balance its weight while in air.
The ribbon or the tail can be longer than the kite.
After this, attach the threads where the arc and the perpendicular stick meet. Other than this, one more thread has to be attached to the first stick a few inches about the ribbon tail and this is how you tie a kite.
Decorate your kite as you wish you to.
After attaching the threads, you can use this kite to enjoy your Makar Sankranti 2020.
Makar Sankranti 2020: Why Do We Celebrate This Festival In India?
Makar Sankranti 2020 will be celebrated on January 15 this year, while it is usually celebrated on January 14. Read to know about the importance of the festival
Every year Makar Sankranti is celebrated in the month of January to mark the winter solstice. It is also one of the largely celebrated Hindu festivals of India which is celebrated differently in various cultures but the common practice on the day of Makar Sankranti is flying colourful kites. The festival has its own significance in the Hindu culture and is not only a religious celebration, but also a seasonal observance as the shift of the sun lead to ever-lengthening, longer days.
One of the lesser-known facts about the festival is that it is also referred to as Maghi. Usually, Makar Sankranti is celebrated on January 14 of every year, but in some exceptions, the celebration takes place on January 15, which is the case with 2020.
Importance of Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti, a.k.a Maghi is a major harvest festival and is dedicated to Surya and also marks the first day of the sun’s transit into Makara (Capricorn). The festival is also commonly known as Uttarayan, as the sun begins its northward journey from the day of Makar Sankranti.
The festival is celebrated across the country, but with different names and traditions. There are several names for the festival depending on the region it is being celebrated in. Some of the examples include Poush sôngkrānti in Maharashtra, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka and Telangana, Sukarat in central India, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Magh Bihu in Assam.
Why do we celebrate Makar Sankranti?
On the fay of the festival, devotees take a holy dip in several rivers which are considered holy which comprise Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery. They believe that doing so will wash away their sins and it is also considered a time of peace and prosperity and many spiritual practices are conducted on this day. After a span of every 12 years, the Kumbh Mela also takes place, along with Makar Sankranti, and is one of the world’s largest mass pilgrimages.
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Makar Sankranti: Quotes That You Can Use To Wish Your Friends On January 15
Makar Sakranti quotes that might help you to wish your friends, family members and even colleagues. Read more to know about some Happy Makar Sankranti quotes.
Makar Sankranti is one of the most important festivals of India which is completely dedicated to the Lord Surya or the sun deity. The festival is also popular by the name Maghi and it is observed every year in the month of January. It marks the first day of the sun's transit into Makara (Capricorn) which marks the end of the month with the winter solstice and the start of longer days.
Makar Sankranti is a festival where people come together to celebrate the completion of a solar cycle and interestingly, it falls on the same Gregorian date every year that is January 14. This year in 2020, it falls on January 15. The festival is celebrated with friends and family to make merry, indulge in kite flying, bonfires and feasts. Try making the most of this wintery festival by sharing warm messages and wishes with your loved ones. Read more to know about some Happy Makar Sankranti quotes.
Happy Makar Sankranti quotes
Worship the Lord Sun and fly the kite in order to celebrate the day, as this is the season of harvest. Happy Makar Sankranti to all.
This is that time of the year where anyone can enjoy the moment with great intensity and cheers. Wish you and your family a very prosperous Makar Sankranti.
The festival of sun and harvest is here. May it enlighten your mind with knowledge and wisdom. Happy Makar Sankranti dear.
Let’s come together and celebrate this day of happiness. Let’s fly the kites and touch the skies of happiness. Wish you a very Happy Makar Sankranti.
Explore out the brightest light coming from the sun rays and enjoy this gentle breeze & cool air with hearty music. Wish you a very Happy Makar Sankranti.
Happy Makar Sankranti wishes
Hope the rising sun at Makar Sankranti will fill your life with happiness and prosperity. Happy Makar Sankranti!
May the auspicious Makar Sankranti festival fill your home with joy.
Have an enchanting Makar Sankranti.
Sankranti, there's sun festival here!
May it bring you more knowledge and wisdom, and illuminate your life for the whole new year.
Happy Makar Sankranti
Hope you are happy and wealthy