Makar Sankranti 2023

Makar Sankranti, the festival celebrating the movement of the Sun from one constellation to the other, will be celebrated on 14th January 2023. As we mark the start of the year, January brings in another set of auspicious festivities. Let us take a closer look at Makar Sankranti, the harvest festival of India! Although it is mainly called Makar Sankranti, several other names exist for this auspicious festival. The festival is known as Lohri in Punjab; people in Tamil Nadu call it Pongal; in Gujrat, it is called Uttarayan; in Poush Parbon in West Bengal; and in Bihu in Assam. While Makar Sankranti is a typical festival, it is celebrated in different ways throughout the country. Primarily a harvest festival, it is also a solar event.

When is Makar Sankranthi?

Makar Sankranti 2023 falls on 14th January but may also fall on 14th January. As it is celebrated in different ways in different parts of the country, you can enjoy this festival and soak in all the culture from wherever you want! However, before planning how to spend your Makar Sankranti, let us talk about the religious connotations this auspicious festival holds. "Makar" means Capricor,n and "Sankranti" means transition. Thus, the Makar Sankranti is a festival that marks the transition of the Sun into Capricorn or Makar. This transition happens every month with different zodiac signs, known as Sankranti. The day of Makar Sankranti is also believed to mark the arrival of spring in India.

Where can you go to enjoy the festivities?

• Maharashtra: In Maharashtra, this festival usually lasts for three days. During this time, people tend to celebrate it by exchanging gifts and sweets like Puran Poli, halwa and laddoo. An important tradition during Sankranti is to wear black. Most women in Maharashtra wear black as it is considered to instil body heat and keep them warm during the coldest day of the month. Married women also invite friends and family members to celebrate a tradition called the Haldi-Kundu! Kite-flying contests are very popular as the sky is filled with colourful kites during this festival. If you want to participate in kite flying events in Maharashtra, you can book an MSRTC bus ticket online through redBus and head to the venues at affordable prices.

• Punjab: So where can you go for Makar Sankranti? If you choose to go to Punjab, you will witness the great fire burning of Lohri and see people dance in their traditional dance for "Bhangra." Anyone who wants to catch the real side of Punjab should do so during the time of Lohri. Children dress in traditional clothes and sing in exchange for some small amount of money with which they buy small sweets made of til or halwa. When the Sun starts setting, huge bonfires are lit,t and people gather around,d singing and dancing around the fire. Indeed, it is one of the most colourful festivals in Punjab. You can eat your heart out during Sankranti in Punjab. Don't forget to try their specialist,y Sarson da Saag and Makai di Roti!

• West Bengal: Another place to visit during Makar Sankranti is West Bengal! Known as the "Poush Parbon" regionally, the Sankranti festivities in this part of the country are a bit different. Several people journey to the River Ganges or Bay of Bengal to take a holy dip during this auspicious time. In addition, several places see the start of Ganga Sagar Mela, which has become an enormous tourist attraction over the years. During this time, every household makes sweets from freshly harvested paddy, the date palm syrup in the form of Khejurer Gur and Patali. So, if you are in any part of Bengal during this time, don't forget to try all the sweets of the season!
• Rajasthan: In Rajasthan, Makar Sankranti celebrations are similar to Punjab's. Families get together to make all sorts of delicacies and sing and dance to their folk songs. Moreover, women of Rajasthan, who are married, offer 13 other married women several gifts as a form of their tradition. Apart from this, kite flying is something to indulge in if you're in Rajasthan during Sankranti!

• Assam: If you consider travelling anywhere during Makar Sankranti 2023, Assam should be at the top of your list! The festival is all about bonfires and loads and loads of food. Regionally, it is called Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu. It marks the end of the harvest season,n and the celebrations last up to a week! A critical tradition during this festival is to build makeshift huts, known as Beji, and then burn them the following day. People created these huts out of bamboo, leaves and thatch and then ate the feast food there. During this time, people make rice cakes such as Shunga Pitha, Til Pitha and other sweets made from coconut.

• Tamil Nadu: In Tamil Nadu, the festivities go on for four days; each day, there is one tradition that the people follow. On the first day, the Bhogi Pandigai, people burn or destroy old clothes to let go of the past and welcome a new future. The second day, Thai Pongal is the primary day of this celebration; rice is boiled and offered to God. On the third day, cattle are decorated and worshipped. Finally, on the last day, Kaanum Pongal, people wear new clothes and exchange several gifts!

So, where are you planning to travel for this Happy Makar Sankranti? Be it any city in India, redBus will make your commute easier with great deals and discounts to any destination in India. So, what are you waiting for? Go to the official redBus website or download their app to book your joyful journey. Several exclusive discounts and offers can be availed on the site. So, visit now to know more! Happy Makar Sankranti to one and all.