Food, Activities, Legends, Fun and Activities– Because that’s what these Festivals are all About.
The month of January not just marks the beginning of a New Year, but three colourful winter festivals in India, mainly Lohri, Makar Sankranti and the Republic Day. Since Lohri and Makar Sankranti fall back to back, they bring in more fun and festivities. This time, both the festivals are falling at the weekends, the Indians are super-excited this time. Everyone has elaborate festival plans that include flying kites, munching on delicious til-gud-chikki and dancing around the Lohri bonfire.
But, come on, we do it all the time isn’t it? This time, let’s celebrate the festival the interesting way. Here’s the best 5 list for Lohri and Makar Sankranti.
Top 5 Lohri and Makar Sankranti Activities– Follow Traditions with a Twist
- Fly Kites with Beautiful Messages
Beautiful kites soaring up in the sky present a beautiful sight for onlookers. Makar Sankranti is all about flying kites. If you wish to live up to the traditions, you can create a safe and meaningful festival for others. Go ahead and explore the markets. Get hold of kites that come with beautiful messages on them. Even if you end up losing them, you’ll pass on a memorable message to the person who gets it.
- Make the Festival Safe for Birds and Animals
The Chinese ‘Maanjha’ (thread) used for flying kites is made of glass coated threads that cut deep into your skin. If they happen to tangle up in tree branches, they can impose a threat to animals and birds. This festival, pledge to yourself that you’ll make Makar Sankranti a happy festival for birds. Replace the Chinese Maanjha with Cotton or Silk threads.
Not only this, you can also treat the sky-explorers with delicious treats. Bird lovers can head to particular locations in your city where you can feed the birds.
- Kick Back and Relax in the Sun or Explore Outdoor Activities
Makar Sankranti is all about soaking a healthy dose of Vitamin that comes in the form of sunlight. Put on your sunscreen, head upstairs and just relax on a cot. Believe me, I can laze around whole day! If you’re energetic and peppy kind of a person, you can head to a park and play your favourite games.
- Take a Selfie
Now that’s something that we all love to do, isn’t it? On Lohri and Makar Sankranti, the entire city is embellished with decorations. Even the weather is pleasant so you can just head outside and have an individual or group selfie on your favourite locations.
- Dance and Play Games around the Lohri Bonfire
The warmth and cosiness of Lohri Bonfire remind me of evening parties, a game of Truth and Dare and peppy Punjabi music. You just can’t help but groove to the beat of high-energy Bhangra all night. When the fire burns out, you can roast Marshmallows, cottage cheese and beetroot to create juicy Tikkas!
All that action makes us super hungry, isn’t it? So, here are some premium goodies on our list that’ll make your mouth water.
Top 5 Lohri and Makar Sankranti Food – Tempting Goodies that you Just Can’t Miss
- Paatishaapta
Paatishaapta is a Bengali sweet that is traditionally prepared on the Makar Sankranti day. These traditional pancakes are sweet crepes stuffed with coconut shavings, khoya, date palm, dry fruits and jaggery.
- Sakkarai Pongal
The deliciously sweet Indian porridge is made with jaggery, rice, Moong dal (mung bean), cardamom powder and cashew nuts roasted in pure ghee. It’s a semi-liquid, semi-solid porridge that resembles ‘Kheer’.
- Jaggery Bread (Gulachi Poli)
Gulachi poli is a sweet breakfast delicacy from Maharashtra. This flat bread is made of gram flour and stuffed with sesame and jaggery. You can have it as a substitute to the salty Makke ki roti (Corn flour bread) if you want.
- Makara Chaula
The mouth-water Oriya specialty is prepared using finely chopped coconuts, freshly harvested rice, banana pulp, jaggery and sesame seeds. It tastes simply delicious.
- Pinni
Now this is one thing that we all have heard of. Indian Pinni is a sweet delicacy that raises from the green, prosperous lands of Punjab. Rice flour, sugar and dry fruits are roasted in ghee and the roast is shaped into dough balls to give this dish the final shape.
Now that we’ve covered 2 major aspects of Lohri and Makar Sankranti, that is food and fun activities, just go ahead and try them this weekend. Enjoy!
