What is the difference between Makar Sankranti, Khichdi, Uttarayan and Pongal? Know how these festivals are celebrated in different states?

The festival of Makar Sankranti will be celebrated across the country on 14 and 15 January. On this day, festivals like Khichdi, Uttarayan, Lohri and Pongal are also celebrated in different states of the country. Even though the names of these festivals are different, all these festivals are actually the same festival. The only difference is the name, tradition and method, which changes according to the states. Let us know the difference between them and how they are celebrated?

What is the difference between Makar Sankranti, Khichdi, Uttarayan and Pongal?

• Makar Sankranti: Makar Sankranti is celebrated when the Sun enters Capricorn. Usually this festival falls on 14 or 15 January. It is considered a harvest festival. From this day the days become longer and the nights become shorter.
• Uttarayan: Uttarayan is not a festival, but the direction of the Sun. When the Sun moves from south to north, it is called Uttarayan. That is, from this day the days become longer and the nights become shorter. It is considered an auspicious time, hence many religious activities are performed during this time. This festival is celebrated with the same name in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
• Khichdi: In Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand, Makar Sankranti is called Khichdi. On this day, Khichdi is made of rice and urad dal and Dahi Chuda is also consumed. Khichdi fair is organized on this day in Prayagraj.
• Pongal: Makar Sankranti is called Pongal in Tamil Nadu. It is a 4 day festival. On this day sweet rice is made from new rice, milk and jaggery. Also thanks are given to Sun God and nature.

How is it celebrated in different states?

Kite flying is done on the day of Uttarayan in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Kite festival is celebrated here on a large scale. In Maharashtra, this festival is celebrated by distributing sesame seeds and jaggery among the people on the day of Makar Sankranti. Lohri is celebrated a day before Makar Sankranti in Punjab. On the day of Lohri, a fire is lit and peanuts are thrown into it and people dance and sing a lot. In Tamil Nadu, Pongal is celebrated for four days in which the Sun God, nature and crops are worshiped and games like Jallikattu are also played.