Makar Sankranti 2021: 6 Traditional Foods To Celebrate Makar Sankranti

Gear up yourself for the festive season as Markar Sankranti is around the corner. This festival is considered to be a special festival celebrated mainly by North Indians. Traditional foods are the heart and soul of this festival. The different States prefer varieties of foods during the time of Makar Sankranti . For example In Uttar Pradesh people do DaanPinds which include ( Matar, Potatoes, Gud, Kali Til, Rice, Turmeric, Salt, Coins).

There are mainly six varieties of traditional foods like Chikkis, Lai Pattis, Gud, Sewa ka Ladoo, Ramdana,Til ka Ladoo. Til is considered to be the most used item in the making of these traditional foods of Uttar Pradesh. Makar Sankranti is also referred to as Khichdi In Uttar Pradesh because this festival is a harvest festival and Khichdi is one of the important dishes of Makar Sankranti.

Why Makar Sankranti is Also Referred to as Khichdi in many states of India: The only reason is that Khichdi is considered to be one of the basic dishes cooked and loved by many households in India. The aromatic mixture of rice and spices is the most preferred festive cuisines cooked and loved by households. 'Khichdi' word originated from Uttar Pradesh itself. This aromatic recipe is considered to be the favourite food of the Hindus and God Gorakshnath whose idol is worshipped by Hindus. The Khichdi is then served as Prasaad to all the devotees who visit there.

Since this dish is prepared in a single pot it also established the symbol of unity and oneness.

Til and Gur( jaggery) delicacies are considered to be the second most favourite ingredients loved by Hindus. Makar Sankranti is actually incomplete without these two special ingredients. Like Maharashtrians made Til Ka Ladoo and Gajak from these special ingredients which have a strong cultural and traditional importance.

Bengalis love to prepare Ladoos made up of puffed rice and jaggery. These special Ladoos are also referred to as Moa in Bengal.

Other than this Bengal is also famous for its Nolen GurerPayesh. This sweet and tasty recipe can also be referred to as Kheer . It is mainly made up of rice and a special variety of date palms and jaggery.

In Bihar people love to munch on Lai Pattis and Peanut Chakkis mainly made up of Lais and peanuts. These special pattis and Chakkis are made from puffed rice, peanuts and jaggery.

Gajak is again one of the special recipes loved by Hindus during the time of Makar Sankranti. This recipe is made of peanuts, sesame seeds and jaggery.

People believed that Makar Sankranti is incomplete without the use of these ingredients especially Til and Jaggery. As these ingredients have both cultural and social importance. For example, the dish or the Makar Sankranti recipe is incomplete without the use of Jaggery. Jaggery brings taste and sweetness among the relation and filled them with zeal and enthusiasm.

These traditional foods of Makar Sankranti have their own significance and importance. Each ingredient has its own importance and cultural and traditional values. This year as well, this festival will be celebrated on 14th January as per the Hindu Calendar.