Makar Sankranti / Pongal / Lohri / Bihu

The Story

Sun begins uttarayana (northward course) — considered most auspicious time (Bhishma chose it for his death in Mahabharata). Symbolic transition from darkness to light.

Vidhi · How It's Done

• Pre-dawn ritual bath (especially at Sangam/Prayagraj — Magh Mela / Kumbh)
• Surya-arghya at sunrise
• Recitation of Aditya Hridayam, Surya Ashtottara
• Til (sesame) and gud (jaggery) sweets prepared and shared
• Daana (charity) — blanket, til, ghee, food to the poor
• Kite-flying (Gujarat, Rajasthan)
• Bonfire celebrations (Punjab — Lohri)

Key Mantras

• ॐ ह्रां ह्रीं ह्रौं सः सूर्याय नमः
• Aditya Hridayam
• ॐ सूर्याय नमः

Bhog · Festival Foods

Til-gud laddu · Tilkut · Sakkarai pongal (sweet rice) · Ven pongal (savory rice) · Khichdi · Murmura/poha chikki

Regional Variants

• · Tamil Nadu: 4-day Pongal — Bhogi, Surya Pongal, Mattu Pongal (cattle), Kaanum Pongal
• · Punjab: Lohri (Jan 13 night), Maghi (Jan 14)
• · Assam: Magh Bihu / Bhogali Bihu (community feast)
• · Karnataka: Suggi habba
• · Gujarat: Uttarayan — kite festival (Patang Mahotsav)
• · Maharashtra: Til-gud distribution; 'Til-gud ghya, god god bola' (take this and speak sweetly)
• · Bengal: Poush Sankranti — Pithe-puli sweets
• · Kerala: Makaravilakku at Sabarimala