Makar Sankranti in Odisha – From Kites to Special Foods!
Makar Sankranti, a festival marking the sun’s transition into the zodiac sign of Capricorn, is celebrated with great enthusiasm across India. In Odisha, the festival known as Makara Sankranti holds immense cultural and religious significance. People across the state engage in various traditional activities, from flying kites to preparing delectable festive dishes. Let’s delve into the unique customs and culinary delights that define Makar Sankranti in the state of Odisha.
Significance of Makar Sankranti in Odisha
Odisha’s Makar Sankranti is deeply rooted in spirituality and tradition. It is considered a sacred time for offering prayers and seeking blessings for prosperity and well-being. According to the Hindu calendar, the festival signifies the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of longer days.
One key aspect of the festival is the worship of Lord Surya, the Sun God. People express gratitude for the abundant harvest and seek blessings for agricultural prosperity. Devotees take holy dips in rivers, particularly in places like Puri, Konark, and Cuttack, believing this purifies the soul and washes away sins. Priests conduct special rituals in the temples, and people offer prayers for the well-being of their families.
Kite Flying: A Sky-High Celebration
While people across India celebrate Makar Sankranti in various ways, Odisha showcases one of the most exciting traditions with kite flying. The clear blue skies transform into a vibrant canvas as colorful kites of different shapes and sizes soar high. This tradition is most prominent in cities like Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, and Puri, where people of all ages participate in friendly kite-flying competitions.
Why is Kite Flying Popular?
- Symbol of Freedom & Joy – The act of flying kites symbolizes freedom, happiness, and new beginnings.
- Celebration of Harvest – The festival marks the successful winter harvest, and kite flying is a way to express gratitude.
- Social Bonding – It brings families and friends together, fostering a sense of unity and fun.
Various regions organize kite-flying tournaments where participants compete to cut each other’s kites using sharp ‘manja’ (glass-coated threads). The thrill of seeing one’s kite fly higher than the rest makes this an exhilarating experience.
Special Foods of Makar Sankranti in Odisha
In Odisha, food is a significant part of Makar Sankranti festivities. The festival is synonymous with delicious pitha (traditional rice cakes) and other sweets prepared with jaggery, coconut, sesame, and rice flour. Let’s see some of the must-try festive delicacies.
- Makara Chaula – The Holy Offering
Makara Chaula is the most significant dish prepared on this day. It is an offering made to deities before being shared among family members.
Ingredients:
- Newly harvested rice
- Jaggery
- Banana
- Coconut
- Chhena (Indian cottage cheese)
- Sugarcane pieces
- Black pepper & cardamom
This cold, sweetened rice dish is a treat for the palate and a divine prasad (offering) believed to bring good fortune.
- Arisa Pitha – The Crispy Delight
Arisa Pitha is a deep-fried rice pancake that is a Makar Sankranti favorite. Chefs make it by mixing rice flour with jaggery syrup, kneading the mixture into a dough, flattening it, and frying it until golden brown. The pancake is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, making it a perfect festive snack.
- Kakara Pitha – The Stuffed Sweet Dumpling
Kakara Pitha is another famous Odia delicacy made from wheat flour stuffed with grated coconut and jaggery.
- Muan Pitha – The Steam-Cooked Wonder
Muan Pitha is a healthy and flavorful steamed version of pitha. The dish combines rice flour, jaggery, and coconut, often flavored with cardamom.
- Til Ladoo & Chikki – The Nutty Treats
During Makar Sankranti, people consider sesame (til) highly auspicious and commonly enjoy til Laddu and chikki, a brittle made with jaggery and peanuts or sesame.
Traditional Rituals and Community Festivities
Apart from kite flying and food, people in Odisha mark Makar Sankranti with several rituals and community gatherings.
- Bathing in Holy Rivers – Devotees take early morning dips in rivers like Mahanadi, Baitarani, and Brahmani, believing it purifies their souls.
- Lord Jagannath’s Special Darshan in Puri – On this auspicious day, the world-famous Jagannath Temple in Puri sees an influx of devotees who witness special rituals dedicated to Lord Jagannath.
- Bullock Festival in Various Villages – Several rural areas in Odisha organize the Makar Mela. At this local fair, people decorate and worship cattle, particularly bulls, to show respect for their agricultural contribution.
Modern Touch to Traditional Celebrations
Over the years, while traditional customs remain intact, there have been contemporary additions to the festivities:
- Kite Festivals – Cities like Bhubaneswar and Cuttack now host grand kite festivals featuring vibrant displays and competitions.
- Cultural Performances – People organize folk music, dance, and traditional storytelling events to keep the spirit of Makar Sankranti alive among younger generations.
- Social Gatherings – Families gather for picnics and feasts, making the festival a time of joy and togetherness.
Conclusion
Makar Sankranti in Odisha is a joy, devotion, and culinary delight festival. From the thrill of kite flying to the indulgence in mouth-watering traditional foods, the festival brings people together in a spirit of gratitude and celebration. Whether you are in the cities or the villages of Odisha, every home and street radiate the warmth of this festival. So, if you ever witness Makar Sankranti in Odisha, don’t miss the kites, the rituals, and, most importantly, the delicious pithas!
