Did you know that Makar Sankranti is celebrated all over India — but with different names, traditions, and delicious foods? 😋
It’s like one big birthday party where every state brings its own special dish!
Let’s travel across India and taste the festival… one bite at a time! 🧳🍽️
🪁 Why Is Food So Important on Makar Sankranti?
Makar Sankranti is a harvest festival, which means farmers celebrate fresh crops and thank nature. 🌾
That’s why most festival foods are:
- 🌿 Made from natural ingredients
- 🍯 Sweet with jaggery
- 🌰 Healthy with sesame seeds
Food = happiness + health + sharing 💛
🍬 Maharashtra – Sweet Words & Sweeter Treats
In Maharashtra, people eat Tilgul — a sweet made from sesame seeds (til) and jaggery (gul).
🗣️ People say: “Tilgul ghya, god god bola”
(“Eat this sweet and speak sweetly!”)
👉 Lesson for kids:
🍭 Be kind, polite, and sweet in words and actions.
🍚 Tamil Nadu – Pongal on the Plate!
In Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Pongal.
🥣 Special dish: Pongal (rice, lentils, milk, jaggery)
🌞 Cooked while thanking the Sun God
👉 Lesson for kids:
🙏 Be thankful for food, farmers, and nature.
🌽 Punjab – Crunchy & Cozy Treats
In Punjab, the festival is called Lohri.
🔥 Families sit around a bonfire
🥜 They enjoy peanuts, popcorn, jaggery, and sesame sweets
👉 Lesson for kids:
👨👩👧 Celebrate together and stay warm with love and laughter.
🍘 Assam – Simple, Tasty & Traditional
In Assam, Makar Sankranti is known as Magh Bihu.
🍚 People eat pitha (rice cakes) and laddus
🏡 Traditional foods made at home with family
👉 Lesson for kids:
🏠 Simple food made with love is the best!
🍲 Uttar Pradesh & Bihar – Warm Comfort Food
Here, people enjoy Khichdi — a warm mix of rice and lentils.
🥣 Easy to digest
❄️ Perfect for winter
👉 Lesson for kids:
💡 Healthy food keeps us strong and happy.
🌈 One Festival, Many Flavours!
From sweet tilgul to warm khichdi, from pongal bowls to crunchy peanuts,
Makar Sankranti shows us something beautiful:
🌟 We may eat different foods,
but we celebrate together as one India 🇮🇳
🧠 Fun Food Fact for Kids
Why sesame and jaggery?
- 🌰 Sesame gives energy
- 🍯 Jaggery keeps us warm in winter
Yummy and healthy — double win! 😄
🎉 Final Thought
Makar Sankranti is not just about flying kites 🪁
It’s about:
- 🍽️ Sharing food
- 😊 Sharing smiles
- 🤝 Sharing culture
Across India, one festival… and many delicious flavours!
