Last Updated on January 14, 2025 by admin
At the beginning of the new year and last winter, Makar Sankranti brought new avidity to the people. The pilgrims move towards their favourite spots, where they take the sacred bath this day. Makar Sankranti is the festivity period when the venerators look for holy places to take the sterling dip. It is totally based on religious faith, and the believers make their trips to those destinations known for their holiness. In another form, it is also known for the seasonal harvest festival.
This celestial moment comes when the sun enters the zodiac sign of Makar {capricorn}. It is celebrated in both seasonal and traditional ways as well. On this occasion, many fairs are organised at different places, and kite flying competitions are held. This celestial moment feels like a great enthusiastic ring in the people. While people make their way from one place to another, cab services play a major role in making it an easy and affordable ride.
Read More: Prayagraj Kumbh Mela Trip
Table of Contents
1. The Significance of Makar Sankranti
One of the most important holidays in India is Makar Sankranti, which marks the Sun’s entry into the sign of Capricorn. People worldwide come together to celebrate in their own unique ways because of this spiritual and culturally important heavenly event. Taking a holy dip in holy rivers and flying bright kites are both traditional and fun things to do during Makar Sankranti.
India celebrates Makar Sankranti as a harvest holiday that marks the end of winter and the start of longer days. During this time, people show their appreciation for nature’s gifts, take part in faith ceremonies, and enjoy different cultural practices. People from all walks of life enjoy the event because it combines religious worship with fun social activities.
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2. Religious Rituals and Sacred Baths
One of the key aspects of Makar Sankranti is the sacred bath taken by devotees at holy rivers. Pilgrims flock to places like Haridwar, Prayagraj (Triveni Sangam), Varanasi, Ganga Sagar, Ujjain, and Nashik to cleanse themselves of sins and seek blessings. The day also marks the beginning of Kumbh Mela at specific intervals, drawing millions of devotees. The sacred dip is an act of faith and a cultural tradition passed down through generations.
Makar Sankranti is especially prominent for the sacred bath, and pilgrims visit the holy places for bathing. In sacred places, Haridwar, Ganga Sagar, Varanasi, Ujjain, Nashik, and Prayag are the most famous. It is the starting point for the Kumbh Mela tour, which is held in the four sacred places of Nashik, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Prayag (Allahabad). Besides that, there are lots of sacred places around each corner of the country where the pilgrims visit with great zeal and take baths.
3. Regional Variations of Makar Sankranti
Different parts of India celebrate Makar Sankranti in their own ways, with their own names and traditions. In Punjab, it’s Lohri, a holiday marked by flames and traditional dancing. It’s called Pongal in Tamil Nadu, and it’s a four-day harvest festival. In Gujarat, the holidays are all about colourful kite flying, and in Maharashtra, people give each other sweets like tilgul as a way to show they care. West Bengal celebrates it as Poush Sankranti, and at Ganga Sagar, there are fairs and events. Even though each area has its own style, the festival’s main ideas of thanksgiving, renewal, and coming together stay the same.
3.1. Khichdi in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
The festival is synonymous with Khichdi, a simple and nutritious dish made with rice, lentils, and spices in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. People enjoy kite flying and other outdoor activities alongside the sacred bath and offerings. Cities like Varanasi, Allahabad, and Gaya are significant hubs for Makar Sankranti celebrations, where people gather in large numbers to participate in rituals and festivities.
In Uttar Pradesh, Makar Sankranti is a festival of sacred bathing, donations, and Til-Gur sweets. It is famous as Khichadi here and also as Nahan. The cities also organised competitions for kite flying, and the people enjoyed the different types of delicious dishes. If you plan to go there, you can easily book a cab from any corner of the country.
3.2. Lohri and Maghi in Punjab
In Punjab, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Lohri and Maghi. The festival involves lighting bonfires, performing traditional dances like Bhangra and Gidda, and singing folk songs. It is a happy and family-centred time that marks the start of the farming year. On cold winter nights, people from the same family share sweets made from sesame seeds (til) and sugar. Also, people join kite-flying competitions and take in the joy of the festival with the various cab tour packages.
3.3. Pongal in Tamil Nadu
In Tamil Nadu, the festival is celebrated as Pongal, a four-day-long harvest festival dedicated to the Sun God and marking the end of the farming season. The highlight is cooking the sweet dish Pongal, made with rice, jaggery, and milk, as an offering to the gods. Villages and cities come alive with colourful rangoli, music, and traditional sports like Jallikattu.
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3.4. Kite Festival in Gujarat
Gujarat’s celebration of Makar Sankranti is incomplete without the International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad. The skies are filled with vibrant kites, and people compete in friendly kite-flying battles. The festival also includes feasts of traditional Gujarati snacks like Undhiyu and Chikki, making it a joyous occasion for locals and tourists alike.
3.5. Magh Bihu in Assam
In Assam, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu, marking the end of the harvest season. People light bonfires, prepare rice cakes and sweets and engage in traditional sports like buffalo fights. It is a time of feasting, dancing, and celebrating the hard work of farmers.
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4. Why Choose Bharat Taxi for Your Makar Sankranti Tour?
Bharat Taxi provides reliable and affordable taxi services to various holy destinations across India. Whether you are planning a trip to Haridwar, Varanasi, or Ganga Sagar, their experienced drivers ensure a smooth and comfortable journey. With Bharat Taxi, you can focus on the spiritual aspects of your trip without worrying about logistics.
Understanding the unique requirements of festive travel, Bharat Taxi offers customizable packages for individuals and families. We can help you with everything, from tours around Makar Sankranti to tours to other places. This will make your trip fun and easy.
5. Exploring India During Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is an Indian holiday that is marked with love and happiness. Indian spiritual past comes to life through it. On this happy day, a lot of people go to holy places like Haridwar, Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Ganga Sagar to do rituals and get blessings. Not only are these holy sites places of prayer, but they also show a lot of the country’s history and culture, so they are must-see spots during this holiday season. Here are some of the most important holy places:
5.1. Haridwar Nahan Trip
Haridwar is a spiritual hub during Makar Sankranti. It is known as one of the seven holiest places in India. Tens of thousands of religious people meet at the holy ghats, like Har Ki Pauri, to take a holy dip in the Ganga River. You can hear bhajans, temple bells, and chants being chanted all over the city, which makes you feel religious. Aside from the holy bath, Haridwar is known for the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti celebration that brings people from all over the world. During Makar Sankranti, fairs and cultural events are held to show how India’s practices are alive and well.
5.2. Varanasi or Kashi Nahan
People have lived in Varanasi for a very long time; it is one of the world’s oldest towns still inhabited, and it has a lot of religious meaning. On Makar Sankranti, a lot of people go to the ghats, especially Dashashwamedh Ghat, to do rites and swim in the holy Ganga. Along with spirituality and cultural richness, the city’s narrow streets and busy bazaars come alive with holiday joy. A lot of different shrines and temples, like Kashi Vishwanath, hold important events and prayers. The smell of incense and the sound of religious songs, along with the sight of the sun rising over the river in the morning, make for a strange experience.
5.3. Prayagraj (Allahabad) Nahan
Prayagraj is best known for the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of three rivers: the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. Makar Sankranti is one of the most significant days to visit this holy site, where pilgrims believe that taking a dip washes away sins and brings spiritual purification. The city also serves as the host for the Kumbh Mela, which is held every 12 years and sees a gathering of millions of devotees. Beyond the Sangam, Prayagraj boasts ancient temples and landmarks such as the Allahabad Fort and the Akshaya Vat, adding layers of historical and spiritual significance to your visit.
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5.4. Ganga Sagar Nahan Trip
Situated at the confluence of the Ganga River and the Bay of Bengal, Ganga Sagar in West Bengal is a revered destination for Makar Sankranti. The Ganga Sagar Mela, the second-largest congregation of pilgrims in India after the Kumbh Mela, is held during this time. Devotees believe that bathing here on this auspicious day leads to moksha (salvation). The vibrant fair, organized alongside the religious festivities, showcases traditional crafts, local cuisine, and cultural performances. Beyond its religious importance, the serene beaches and the nearby Kapil Muni Temple make Ganga Sagar a captivating destination for both spiritual and leisure travellers.
6. Cultural Experiences
Not only is Makar Sankranti a religious holiday, but it is also a huge cultural event that is held only in India. Through brightly coloured events and activities, each region shows off its customs, from kite-flying contests to cosy bonfires. Here is a taste of the wide range of artistic activities you can enjoy at this time:
6.1. Kite Flying in Gujarat: Take part in the International Kite Festival in Gujarat, where the skies are adorned with colourful kites. The festival, held during Makar Sankranti, draws participants from across the globe and celebrates the transition of seasons.
6.2. Bonfires and Folk Songs in Punjab: Celebrate Lohri in Punjab with traditional folk songs, vibrant dances like bhangra and gidda, and bonfires that symbolize gratitude for the harvest season.
6.3. Pongal Festivities in Tamil Nadu: Experience Pongal, a four-day harvest festival in Tamil Nadu, marked by cooking sweet Pongal, decorating homes with rangoli, and enjoying traditional Tamil folk dances and music.
6.4. Cultural Fairs in Uttar Pradesh: Visit fairs in cities like Varanasi and Prayagraj, where traditional handicrafts, regional delicacies, and performances depict the cultural richness of Makar Sankranti celebrations.
6.5. Traditional Sports in Andhra Pradesh: Watch or participate in traditional rural sports such as bullock cart races and kabaddi, which are organized during the Kanuma festival and are a part of the Sankranti celebrations.
6.6. Decorated Boats in Kerala: In Kerala, enjoy the sight of elaborately decorated boats during local festivities that blend the Sankranti spirit with Kerala’s own traditions.
6.7. Community Feasts in Bihar and Jharkhand: Join in on community feasts, where Khichdi, tilkut, and other regional dishes are prepared and shared among villagers as a gesture of unity.
6.8. Cultural Melas in Rajasthan: Attend local melas in Rajasthan, where puppet shows, folk dances, and camel rides combine to offer an authentic cultural experience during the festival.
6.9. Harvest Celebrations in Maharashtra: Witness the Makar Sankranti celebrations in Maharashtra, featuring til-gul (sweet sesame treats), vibrant Rangolis, and kite-flying contests across towns and villages.
Makar Sankranti isn’t just a holiday; it’s a moment to honour life, nature, and faith. India’s different regions each have their own unique take on this happy event, which makes it a great time to learn about the country’s rich cultural mix. By using Bharat Taxi as your transportation company, you can enjoy a smooth and enjoyable trip to the most important places. Whether it’s for spiritual fulfilment, cultural exploration, or simply experiencing the joy of the season, Makar Sankranti promises memories that last a lifetime.
Besides these places, you can visit Odisha, Kerala, Goa, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, and Maharashtra for this celestial moment. Also, visit neighbouring countries like Nepal that celebrate the same as India with your full efforts. To visit all these places, you can book a taxi from any corner of India and enjoy it there. Whether for local travel or outstation travel, you can hire a local taxi, outstation cabs, or online car booking services.