Here’s everything you need to know about the dates, timings, significance, puja rituals, and popular foods associated with these festivals.
Lohri
In Punjab, people celebrate the festival of harvest as Lohri. On this day, people offer prayers to the God of Fire (Agni) and seek blessings for happiness and prosperity. The festival marks the end of the sowing season for winter crops and welcomes the harvest season. Farmers pray for a fruitful harvest during this time.
Makar Sankranti
Celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, Makar Sankranti (also called Uttarayan) is a harvest festival that involves taking a holy dip in rivers, offering prayers to the Sun God, and donating grains, sweets, and sesame seeds to the needy. This act of charity is believed to bring happiness and prosperity.
Pongal
In Tamil Nadu, Pongal is a four-day festival dedicated to the Sun God. The festivities include Thai Pongal, Mattu Pongal, and Kaanum Pongal. It is a time of gratitude for a bountiful harvest. Rituals include decorating homes with mango and banana leaves, worshipping cows, painting their horns, and preparing traditional dishes.
Festival Dates and Timings for 2025
Makar Sankranti
Date: Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Punya Kaal Muhurta: 9:03 AM to 5:46 PM
Maha Punya Kaal Muhurta: 9:03 AM to 10:48 AM
Lohri
Date: Monday, January 13, 2025
Sankranti Moment: 9:03 AM, January 14
Pongal
Bhogi Pandigai: January 13
Thai Pongal: January 14
Mattu Pongal: January 15
Kaanum Pongal: January 16
Significance and Puja Vidhi
Lohri
The festival marks the start of the spring season and the harvest of wheat crops sown in winter. Offering prayers to the God of Fire is believed to ensure a prosperous harvest and happiness for all.
Makar Sankranti
Falling during the solar month of Makara and lunar month of Magha, the festival is also called Magha Sankranti. Taking a holy dip in rivers is believed to cleanse one of illnesses and bring peace. Prayers to the Sun God and acts of charity are essential rituals.
Pongal
This festival emphasizes starting anew and showing gratitude to Lord Sun for a successful harvest. Rituals include house decorations, worshipping cows, and preparing traditional dishes.
Popular Foods of Each Festival
Makar Sankranti
Dahi Chura: Flattened rice soaked in curd, sweetened with jaggery or sugar.
Khichdi: A comforting one-pot dish made with rice, dal, and ghee.
Tilkut: Sweet crackers made with sesame seeds and jaggery.
Chikki: A crunchy snack of roasted peanuts and jaggery.
Til Laddoo: Sesame and jaggery laddoos, sometimes with peanuts.
Lohri
Sarson da Saag: A flavorful dish made with mustard greens and other leafy vegetables.
Makki di Roti: Cornmeal flatbread, traditionally paired with saag.
Til ki Barfi: A sweet made with sesame seeds and jaggery.
Gur ki Roti: Wheat flatbread with a jaggery filling.
Panjiri: A powdered dessert made with wheat flour, ghee, and nuts.
Pinni: Laddoos made with dry fruits, jaggery, and gondh.
Pongal
Veg Pongal: A signature dish made with rice, moong dal, ghee, and jaggery.
Puliyodarai (Tamarind Rice): A tangy rice dish flavored with tamarind and spices.
Payasam: A creamy dessert made with rice, milk, jaggery, and cardamom. Variants include Akkaravadisal Payasam and Semiya Payasam.
These festivals bring people together to celebrate gratitude, cultural traditions, and the joy of good food. May your Lohri, Makar Sankranti, and Pongal be filled with happiness and prosperity!
