Quick start: 10 traditional ways to observe Sankranti
This section updates the fundamental advice provided on the original page (daily rituals, worshiping the sun, acts of charity, eating til sweets and khichdi, visiting family) while incorporating regional perspectives.
1) Begin with Surya gratitude
Rise early if you can. Present water (arghya) to the ascending sun, seek clarity, well-being, and positive vibes, and bring that mindset throughout the day.
2) Mantra, meditation, or quiet reflection
Some families prefer to chant Gayatri or recite prayers, while others opt for meditation, using Sankranti as a time to reset for the year.
3) Remember ancestors (tarpan)
Certain customs involve giving water offerings to ancestors and elders as a way of expressing appreciation for values, education, and the importance of family.
4) Give daan (donation)
Charity plays a key role in providing essential items like food, clothing, sesame/jaggery, blankets during winter, and supporting temples and community kitchens.
5) Prepare til sweets
Prepare til-gur sweets such as tilgul, laddoo, and chikki to offer in a shrine or temple as prasad, symbolizing the sweetness in speech and relationships.
6) Cook a simple harvest meal
In many regions, a common meal consists of Khichdi made with rice, dal, and seasonal vegetables, symbolizing simplicity, nourishment, and gratitude.
7) Visit family and elders
Traditional customs prioritize the importance of visiting both children and elders, exchanging gifts, and ultimately strengthening family ties while passing down values to future generations.
8) Celebrate outdoors
In various locations, individuals gather on rooftops or open fields to engage in activities like flying kites, attending fairs, playing sports, and participating in community events under the warm winter sun.
9) Holy dip (where applicable)
Certain communities partake in a sacred bathing ritual in rivers or at holy sites, symbolizing purification and a fresh start.
10) Begin something auspicious
Sankranti is often considered an auspicious time for embarking on new endeavors such as learning, taking relationship milestones, or adopting a disciplined routine.
Old tradition, modern meaning
These customs blend spirituality with societal responsibilities, incorporating worship, thankfulness, communal meals, and acts of charity to ensure the community's resilience during the colder months.
Regional celebrations: what makes each unique
Sankranti season is like a single “festival window” with multiple cultural expressions. Here’s how the best-known traditions differ, including unique older customs that remain visible today.
Makar Sankranti (Makara Sankranti)
Core idea
The sun's shift and the season of giving thanks; a period for generosity, devotion, and sharing with others.
Old traditions
- Til-gur sweets exchanged to promote sweet speech and unity
- Khichdi and seasonal foods as “simple living” symbolism
- Visits to elders/children with gifts and blessings
- Daan of food and winter essentials
In many homes, Surya worship is paired with giving sweets, hosting guests, and donating to those in need. Some areas also include fairs and river ceremonies in their celebrations.
Uttarayan (Gujarat)
Signature tradition
Flying kites on rooftops turns neighborhoods into a lively festival area with music, food, and friendly competition.
Old customs
- Community rooftop gatherings (open houses for neighbors)
- Kite craft traditions (paper, bamboo, thread techniques)
- Seasonal foods carried to rooftops for sharing
- Music and collective chanting during peak kite hours
Uttarayan transforms the sky into a festive playground, where the vibrant winter sun and the communal delight of gathering outdoors are celebrated.
Pongal (Tamil Nadu)
Four-day festival
Bhogi, Surya Pongal, Mattu Pongal, and Kaanum Pongal are celebrated with preparation, worship, honoring cattle, and family
Unique & old traditions
- Boiling-over Pongal pot ritual (symbol of abundance)
- Kolam (rice-flour designs) renewed daily
- Sugarcane as a signature harvest symbol
- Mattu Pongal: bathing, decorating, honoring cattle
Pongal celebrates the deep connection between agriculture, the sun, nature, and the individuals and animals that sustain the farming community.
Magh / Bhogali Bihu (Assam)
What stands out
A celebration of abundance post-harvest: Uruka night feasts and Meji bonfire at sunrise.
Unique & old traditions
- Bhelaghar huts built from bamboo and leaves
- Meji bonfire worship at dawn for blessings
- Community feasts that strengthen village ties
- Traditional games and local sports in some areas
Magh Bihu embodies a traditional harvest motif, featuring plentiful food, communal warmth, and a strong sense of community identity, particularly evident in rural Assam.
At a glance: rituals and symbols
| Festival | Key symbols | Signature practices |
|---|---|---|
| Makar Sankranti | Sun, sesame, jaggery, donation | Surya worship, til sweets exchange, charity, seasonal meals |
| Uttarayan | Kites, rooftops, winter sun | Kite flying, community rooftops, foods shared in groups |
| Pongal | Pongal pot, kolam, sugarcane, cattle | Surya Pongal offering, kolam, Mattu Pongal cattle honoring |
| Magh/Bhogali Bihu | Meji bonfire, Bhelaghar | Uruka feast night, dawn bonfire worship, community games |
Shared thread
In every area, the ancient traditions persist: giving thanks for the harvest and sun, coming together over meals, and strengthening community ties.