Makar Sankranti 2025: Must-Have Foods To Celebrate This Harvest Festival In India

Makar Sankranti, the first major festival of the year, will be celebrated tomorrow across India and in various parts of the world. Known for marking the transition of the sun into Capricorn, this festival signifies the end of winter and the beginning of longer days.

One of the most popular attractions during Makar Sankranti is kite flying, with vibrant kites filling the skies in cities and villages alike. However, what makes this festival truly special is the variety of traditional foods prepared and consumed across different regions of India.

Since Makar Sankranti is primarily a harvest festival, the dishes made on this day vary from state to state, depending on local agricultural practices and cultural traditions. Here, we discuss five traditional delicacies that you must try on Makar Sankranti 2025 celebrations:

Tilgul and Gulachi Poli in Maharashtra

The key feature of Makar Sankranti celebrations in Maharashtra is the tradition of exchanging Tilgud-a sweet made from sesame seeds and jaggery. The exchange is accompanied by the saying "Tilgul ghya, god god bola" (Take tilgul and speak sweet words). Another beloved treat during this festival is Gulachi Poli, a soft flatbread stuffed with a rich mixture of jaggery and sesame.

Ellu Bella in Karnataka

Makar Sankranti in Karnataka is widely celebrated and is marked by the preparation of Ellu Bella, a mixture of sesame seeds, jaggery, coconut, and peanuts. This combination is distributed among friends and family with the saying "Ellu bella thindu olle maathadi," which means "Eat Ellu Bella and speak kind." Similar to the one in Maharashtra.

Undhiyu and Jalebi in Gujarat

Gujarat's festivities are incomplete without Undhiyu, a mixed vegetable dish cooked with a medley of seasonal produce like brinjals, potatoes, and green beans, slow-cooked to perfection with aromatic spices. This dish is often paired with jalebi, a sweet deep-fried treat. Makar Sanktanti in Gujarat is often associated with kite flying, which is the main attraction of the state. People from all parts of India and the world visit the Rann of Kutch to experience the unique kite-flying tradition.

Khichdi in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar

In the northern states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand, Khichdi is prepared during Makar Sankranti. Often served with ghee, papad, and pickles. Another major dish is Dahi Chura, which is curd and poha (flattened rice), which is considered auspicious for consumption on Makar Sankranti.

Pongal in Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti is known as Pongal, named after the traditional dish prepared during this time. Sweet Pongal is prepared,, which is a creamy concoction of rice, moong dal, jaggery, and ghee, garnished with cashews and raisins.

Patishapta in West Bengal

West Bengal's Makar Sankranti, or better referred to as Poush Sankranti, features patishapta, delicate crepes made from rice flour and semolina, filled with a sweet mixture of coconut and jaggery. Often served with Nolen Gur (date palm jaggery), it is a cherished part of Bengali cuisine and culture.