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Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Uttarayan, Pongal and Bihu are more than just celebrations; they are a blend of gratitude, tradition, and joy, marking the arrival of prosperity and the start of longer, brighter days.
Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Uttarayan, Pongal and Bihu brings unique rituals and a shared spirit of happiness. (Images: Shutterstock)
India, a land of diverse cultures, celebrates its harvest season with vibrant festivals that honour nature’s bounty and the change of seasons. Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Uttarayan, Pongal and Bihu are more than just celebrations; they are a blend of gratitude, tradition, and joy, marking the arrival of prosperity and the start of longer, brighter days. From lighting bonfires to flying colourful kites, preparing traditional dishes to offering prayers, each festival brings unique rituals and a shared spirit of happiness.
Let’s dig deeper into the significance, rituals, auspicious timings and delicious flavours that make these festivals truly special.
Lohri
Lohri is a widely celebrated festival among both Sikhs and Hindus, marking a special occasion that falls just a day before Makar Sankranti. Also known as Lohadi or Lal Loi, the festival is deeply connected to the harvest season and is observed with much joy and enthusiasm.
It is observed primarily in the northern regions of India, including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir. This festive day marks the culmination of winter, ushering in longer days and a warmer season. Celebrated with vibrant bonfires, Lohri is a homage to the sun god and the fire god. On this day, people gather around the bonfire, sing and dance. Traditional dishes play a significant role during these festivities, with favourites like Makki ki Roti, Sarson ka Saag, Pinni, Gur Gajak, Dahi Bhalle and Halwa gracing the dining tables.
Lohri Shubh Muhurats
- Lohri on Monday, January 13, 2025
- Lohri Sankranti Moment – 09:03, Jan 14
- Brahma Muhurta: 05:27 AM to 06:21 AM
- Pratah Sandhya: 05:54 AM to 07:15 AM
- Abhijit: 12:09 PM to 12:51 PM
- Vijaya Muhurta: 02:15 PM to 02:57 PM
- Godhuli Muhurta: 05:42 PM to 06:09 PM
- Sayahna Sandhya: 05:45 PM to 07:06 PM
- Ravi Yoga: 07:15 AM to 10:38 AM
- Nishita Muhurta: 12:03 AM, Jan 14 to 12:57 AM, Jan 14
Lohri Rituals
Lohri, a harvest festival, is intricately linked with the agricultural cycle of crop sowing and harvesting. It marks the transition from longer nights to warmer days, symbolising the changing seasons.
This day is dedicated to celebrating agricultural prosperity, and prayers are extended to the Sun God (Surya Devta) and Fire God (Agni) for a fruitful harvest in the upcoming season.
Families come together around bonfires, offering sesame seeds, gur (jaggery), and popcorn to the God of fire. People also dance around the fire on dhol beats.
Lohri Wishes To Share
- May the Lohri flames dance away troubles, leaving only warmth, joy, and good fortune in their wake. Happy Lohri!
- Sweet rewari, crackling dhol beats, and vibrant dances under the stars – wishing you a Lohri steeped in tradition and merrymaking!
- As the Lohri bonfire leaps towards the night sky, may it ignite your dreams and carry them soaring to new heights. Happy Lohri!
- Let the rising sun on Lohri bring with it fresh beginnings, blessings, and the promise of a year bathed in sunshine. Happy Lohri!
- Dholki rhythms, til good treats, and the laughter of loved ones gathered around the fire – may your Lohri be a feast for the senses and soul!
5 Lohri Recipes
- Sarson da Saag and Makki di Roti: Sarson da Saag is a Punjabi dish made with mustard greens, spiced and cooked to perfection, often served with a dollop of ghee. It pairs beautifully with Makki di Roti, a flatbread made from cornmeal, known for its hearty texture and earthy flavour. Together, they form a comforting, traditional winter meal cherished across North India.
- Pindi Chana: Pindi Chana is a popular dish from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, featuring chickpeas cooked in a rich, spicy masala blend. It is characterised by its deep flavours, achieved without using onion or tomatoes, and its dark colour from tea leaves. Often served with kulchas or parathas, it is a classic North Indian delicacy.
- Gur Ki Roti: Gur Ki Roti is a traditional sweet flatbread made by incorporating jaggery into the dough, creating a delicious caramel-like flavour. It is often prepared during festivals or winter months for its warm, energy-boosting qualities. This rustic treat is enjoyed plain or with a side of ghee or butter.
- Til Gur Ladoo: Til Gur Ladoo is a healthy, energy-packed sweet made with sesame seeds and jaggery, celebrated during Makar Sankranti. The combination provides warmth and nutrition, making it perfect for winter. These bite-sized treats are loved for their nutty and slightly caramelised taste.
- Gajak: Gajak is a crispy, brittle sweet made by mixing sesame seeds or peanuts with jaggery or sugar syrup. Popular in North India during winter, it is often associated with festivals like Lohri. Its light, crunchy texture and sweet, nutty flavour make it a seasonal favourite.
Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti follows Lohri and is scheduled for January 14 this year. Devoted to Lord Surya, the Sun God, this festival signifies the sun’s transition into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makara). Celebrated nationwide, people engage in various customs to mark the occasion. Devotees worship Lord Surya and often take a holy dip in sacred water bodies. Acts of charity, such as giving alms to the needy, are common during this festival. Additionally, flying kites is a popular tradition.
Makar Sankranti Shubh Muhurat
- Makara Sankranti on Tuesday, January 14, 2025
- Makara Sankranti Punya Kala – 09:03 AM to 05:46 PM
- Duration – 08 Hours 42 Mins
- Makara Sankranti Maha Punya Kala – 09:03 AM to 10:48 AM
- Duration – 01 Hour 45 Mins
- Sankranti Karana: Balava
- Sankranti Day: Tuesday
- Observation Date: January 14, 2025
- Transit Date: January 14, 2025
- Sankranti Moment: 09:03 AM, Jan 14
Makar Sankranti Rituals
On Makar Sankranti, it is customary to bathe in holy waters and donate black sesame seeds, sesame laddus, grains, vegetables, pulses, turmeric, fruits and other essential commodities. People also prepare and consume Khichdi on an auspicious day.
5 Makar Sankranti Wishes To Share
- May your life be as bright and vibrant as the kites in the sky. Happy Makar Sankranti!
- Wishing you a harvest of happiness and prosperity this Makar Sankranti.
- May the joyous festival of Uttarayan fill your heart with warmth and cheer.
- As the Sun moves northward, may your life ascend to new heights. Happy Makar Sankranti!
- Sending you sweet til-gul vibes for a delightful Makar Sankranti celebration.
Makar Sankranti Recipes
- Tilgul Ladoo: Tilgul Ladoos are soft sweet balls made with sesame seeds and jaggery. These ladoos symbolise warmth and togetherness during Makar Sankranti.
- Puran Poli: Puran Poli is a stuffed flatbread filled with sweetened lentils and cardamom. It is a festive delight enjoyed with ghee or milk.
- Khichdi: Khichdi is a savoury mix of rice lentils and spices often served with ghee. It is considered auspicious and nutritious for Sankranti.
- Gajak: Gajak is a crispy winter treat made with sesame seeds and jaggery. It is a favourite during Makar Sankranti due to its warming properties.
Uttarayan
Makar Sankranti is known as Uttarayan in Gujarat. Uttarayan is a significant festival in Gujarat which lasts for two days. The first day of Sankranti is known as Uttarayan and the next day of Uttarayan is known as Vasi Uttarayan or stale Uttarayan. The day is considered highly auspicious and is dedicated to Lord Surya.
Flying kite is one of the most popular events during Uttarayan. During Sankranti sky is filled with myriad kites of various sizes and colours in all major cities of Gujarat, including Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara.
During Sankranti people savour Undhiyu which is a spicy baked mix of winter vegetables and Chikkis which is made from sesame seeds, peanuts and jaggery.
Uttarayan Shubh Muhurat
- Uttarayana on Tuesday, January 14, 2025
- Uttarayan Sankranti Moment – 09:03 AM
Uttarayan Significance
According to Hindu mythology, Bhishma Pitamah, a key figure in the Mahabharata, left his mortal coil during Uttarayan, making the day auspicious and significant.
The festival holds immense cultural and spiritual importance. Uttarayan, also known as Makar Sankranti, symbolizes the end of darkness and the triumph of light. It is a time for new beginnings as people bid farewell to winter and welcome the warmth of the sun.
Uttarayan Rituals
On the day of Uttarayan, people wake up early and take a holy dip in rivers, especially the Ganges. The festival is also marked by special puja ceremonies, where devotees offer prayers to the Sun God.
The most popular ritual associated with Uttarayan is the flying of kites, symbolizing the freedom of the spirit.
5 Uttarayan Wishes
- May this occasion be filled with joy, warmth, and many celebrations for you and your loved ones. Happy Uttarayan.
- This Uttarayan, may Lord Surya abundantly bless you and your family!
- On the occasion of Uttarayan, I wish you a year filled with chances to help you turn your dreams into reality.
- Enjoy this Uttarayan to the fullest and spread joy and smiles wherever you go. I wish you an Uttarayan filled with the sweetness of your loved ones’ love and rewari.
- On the occasion of Uttarayan, please accept my heartfelt greetings. May the brightness of Uttarayan replace the darkness in your life.
5 Uttarayan Recipes
- Undhiyu: Undhiyu is a Gujarati mixed vegetable curry cooked with spices and fenugreek dumplings. This wholesome dish is prepared in large quantities during Uttarayan.
- Chikki: Chikki is a crunchy sweet made with peanuts and jaggery. It is a favourite snack to enjoy while flying kites.
- Jalebi: Jalebi is a syrupy deep-fried dessert that is spiral-shaped and crispy. It is enjoyed hot often paired with curd.
- Dhokla: Dhokla is a steamed savoury snack made from fermented gram flour batter. It is light fluffy and perfect for festive mornings.
- Khichdo: Khichdo is a sweet porridge made with rice milk and sugar flavoured with cardamom. It is a traditional Uttarayan offering.
Pongal
Pongal is a Hindu festival which is observed by the people of Tamil Nadu. Pongal is a four-day festival and the most important day of Pongal is known as Thai Pongal. Thai Pongal which is the second day of the four-day festivity is also celebrated as Sankranti. The same day is observed as Makar Sankranti in North Indian states when people take a holy dip in the river Ganges.
How Is Pongal Celebrated?
The day before Thai Pongal is known as Bogi Pandigai. On this day, people clean their homes and light bonfire to discard unused items. In Punjab, the same day is celebrated as Lohri by the Sikh community.
Pongal is celebrated by boiling freshly harvested rice with fresh milk and jaggery in a new clay pot.
While boiling the concoction, people let the milk spill over the pot as an auspicious sign of material abundance and prosperity.
Later the concoction of rice, milk and jaggery, known as Pongal, is topped with brown sugar, Ghee, cashew nuts and raisins.
Freshly cooked Pongal is first offered to the Sun God as gratitude for good harvesting and later served on banana leaves to the people present in the home for the ceremony.
Traditionally Pongal is cooked at sunrise in an open place.
Thai Pongal is the first day of Thai month according to the Tamil Solar Calendar. Thai is the tenth solar month in Tamil Calendar. Thai Masam is known as Makar in other Hindu calendars.
Next day of Thai Pongal is known as Mattu Pongal. Cattles are decorated and worshipped on Mattu Pongal day.
The last and final day of Pongal is known as Kaanum Pongal. It is time for family reunions in Tamil Nadu.
Pongal Shubh Muhurat
- Thai Pongal on Tuesday, January 14, 2025
- Thai Pongal Sankranti Moment – 09:03 AM
Pongal Rituals
Pongal festival lasts four days, each with its own customs. Without indulging in a dish prepared during the festivities, also known as Pongal, the celebration is incomplete.
This dish is a combination of boiled sweet rice and is named after the Tamil verb pongu, which means “to boil over.”
The first day of Pongal is called Bhogi. It is distinguished by the cleaning and disposal of old possessions. The significance is to symbolise a new beginning. People also redecorate their homes and get new clothes.
The actual celebrations begin on the second day. Surya Pongal honours the Sun God. Every home has a kolam at its entrance. People cook a pot of fresh rice and milk according to the muhurat. A feast is also prepared.
On the third day, known as Maatu Ponga, people worship cattle and honour the hard work they put in to plough the land. Cows are bathed and dressed with beads, garlands, and bells.
Pongal’s final day (fourth day) is known as Kaanum Pongal. This day is all about community and building relationships. Families get together for a feast. They also perform traditional Indian folk dances like Mayilattam and Kolattam.
5 Pongal Wishes To Share
- May the festival bring you good luck and prosperity. Wishing you a wonderful Pongal!
- Celebrate the gifts of life and express gratitude to the almighty for every blessing in your life. Happy Pongal to you!
- May this harvest festival sweep away all your worries and fears, filling your heart with calm and healthy thoughts. Happy Pongal 2024!
- May the sweetness of gur, milk and chashews bring joy and happiness into your life. Wishing you a very happy Pongal!
- May god bless you and your loved ones with the best of health, wealth, and prosperity. Wishing you a very Happy Pongal!
5 Pongal Recipes
- Ven Pongal: Ven Pongal is a savory dish made with rice moong dal and spices like pepper and cumin. It is served as a comforting breakfast or festive meal.
- Sakkarai Pongal: Sakkarai Pongal is a sweet version of Pongal made with jaggery rice and ghee. It is often prepared as a prasad during the Pongal festival.
- Puliyodarai: Puliyodarai is a tangy tamarind rice seasoned with mustard seeds and peanuts. It is a flavorful and quick meal option for festivities.
- Payasam: Payasam is a creamy South Indian pudding made with rice milk and jaggery. It is garnished with cashews and raisins for a rich taste.
- Vadai: Vadai are deep-fried lentil fritters crispy on the outside and soft inside. They are a popular snack served alongside Pongal dishes.
Bihu
Bihu is a harvest festival celebrated in Assam and it marks the end of the harvesting season in the region. Magh Bihu is observed on the first day of Magh month as per Bengali Panjika.
Magh Bihu is the Assam celebration of Sankranti and the celebrations last for a week. The festival of Magh Bihu is dedicated to Agni, the Lord of Fire. However, in the rest of India, the festival of Sankranti is dedicated to Surya, the Sun Lord.
Magh Bihu is a synonym of feasts and bonfires which begin one day before Magh Bihu. The day preceding Magh Bihu is known as Uruka which is the last day of Poush month as per the Assamese calendar.
On Uruka day people erect makeshift huts, known as Meji, from bamboo, leaves and thatch. The food for feasting is prepared inside Meji and a community feast is held on Uruka night. The Meji is burned the next morning and the ashes are scattered on the farmlands to increase fertility.
Magh Bihu is also known as Bhogali Bihu and Maghar Domahi.
Bihu Shubh Muhurat
- Magh Bihu on Wednesday, January 15, 2025
- Sankranti Moment on Magha Bihu – 09:03 AM, Jan 14
Bihu Rituals
The celebration of Magh Bihu starts with Uruka night, the eve of Magh Bihu. On this night, people stay awake the entire night around a bonfire, known as Uruka Bihu.
There’s a lot of singing, dancing, and storytelling. There is a temporary community centre that’s constructed called Bhelaghar, for community feasts and cultural activities during the festival.
One of the highlights of Magh Bihu is the construction of Meji, a structure made of bamboo and thatch. On the morning of Magh Bihu, Meji is set on fire.
This ritual symbolises the end of the old and the beginning of the new, as well as the burning of any negativity or impurity. This ritual is considered one of the most important ones.
No festival is complete without feasting. Magh Bihu is no exception. The festival is synonymous with feasting and communal meals. People gather to prepare traditional Assamese delicacies, particularly those made from newly harvested crops.The feast often includes various rice-based dishes and sweets like pitha (rice cakes).
5 Bihu Wishes To Share
- I hope this Rongali Bihu will bring cheer, prosperity and peace to your life. Let us pray that we gain enough strength to accept the highs and lows of life with equanimity.
- Let us welcome Rongali Bihu with great hope and eagerness. Let’s look forward to a year full of happiness and prosperity.
- ending love and warm wishes on the occasion of Bohag Bihu. May the New Year bring lots of success for you.
- Wish you a very Happy Bohag Bihu. May your life be as colourful and joyful as the festival of Bihu.
- Look for pleasure, look for life, and look for a smile that will spread through your life! Bihu is one such festival which empowers with all the power. Happy Rongali Bihu!
5 Bihu Recipes
- Pitha: Pitha is a traditional Assamese rice cake filled with jaggery and grated coconut. It is usually steamed or fried and served during Bihu celebrations.
- Laru: Laru are sweet round balls made with coconut or sesame seeds and jaggery. These bite-sized treats are easy to prepare and a staple in Assamese households.
- Duck Curry: Duck curry is a rich flavorful dish prepared with duck meat black pepper and a mix of Assamese spices. It is often enjoyed with steamed rice during festive meals.
- Khar: Khar is a unique alkaline curry made with raw papaya banana peel and lentils. This dish is both nutritious and an integral part of Assamese cuisine.
- Til Pitha: Til Pitha are crispy rice rolls stuffed with sesame seeds and jaggery. They are a must-have delicacy during the harvest festival of Bihu.
