Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Lohri Explained for Kids

Every January, India bursts into colour with a group of harvest festivals: kites fill the skies of Gujarat for Uttarayan, bonfires crackle in Punjab for Lohri, pots of sweet pongal bubble over in Tamil Nadu and families in Assam feast for Magh Bihu. Most of these festivals happen within a day or two of each other, and many are linked to Makar Sankranti.

For children, these festivals are a wonderful way to learn about the seasons, the Sun, farming and India's many cultures. This guide explains Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Lohri for kids, the science behind them, the stories and customs, and fun, safe activities to try at home.

What is Makar Sankranti?

"Sankranti" means the Sun moving from one zodiac sign to another. Makar Sankranti is when the Sun enters Makara, or Capricorn, in the traditional Indian calendar. Because most Hindu festivals follow the moon, their dates change every year, but Makar Sankranti follows the Sun, so it usually falls on 14 January, sometimes 15 January.

It also marks the start of Uttarayan, the period traditionally associated with the Sun's northward journey, bringing longer days and the end of the coldest part of winter.

A little science for kids

Here's a simple way to explain it. Around late December, the days in India are at their shortest. After that, the Sun seems to move a little further north in the sky each day, and the days slowly grow longer. Farmers have long watched these changes to plan their crops. Winter crops like sugarcane, sesame and rice are harvested or ready around this time, so it's natural to celebrate.

Try this at home: note the time of sunset every few days through January. Your child will see the evenings getting a little longer.

One season, many festivals

Makar Sankranti (many states)

Celebrated in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and elsewhere. People take holy dips in rivers, share til-gud (sesame and jaggery) sweets and fly kites. In Maharashtra, people exchange til-gul and say "Til-gul ghya, god god bola", meaning "take these sweets and speak sweetly".

Uttarayan (Gujarat)

Gujarat's skies fill with thousands of kites. Families gather on rooftops from morning to night, shouting "Kai po che!" when they cut another kite. Undhiyu, a mixed vegetable dish, and chikki are favourite foods.

Pongal (Tamil Nadu)

Pongal is a four-day harvest festival. On Bhogi, old things are discarded and bonfires are lit. On Thai Pongal, families boil rice with milk and jaggery in a new pot until it overflows, shouting "Pongalo Pongal!" The overflowing pot symbolises abundance. Mattu Pongal honours cattle, which help farmers, and Kaanum Pongal is for visiting family and friends.

Lohri (Punjab and the north)

Lohri is usually celebrated the night before Makar Sankranti. Families gather around a bonfire, throw in peanuts, popcorn and rewri, sing folk songs and dance bhangra and gidda. Lohri is especially joyful for families celebrating a new baby or a wedding. A popular Lohri song remembers Dulla Bhatti, a folk hero from Punjab who is said to have helped poor girls.

Magh Bihu (Assam)

Also called Bhogali Bihu, it's a festival of feasting. Communities build temporary huts called bhelaghar and meji (bonfire structures), and enjoy pitha, larus and community meals.

Other names

The festival is also called Khichdi in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, Sakraat in some regions, Poush Sankranti in West Bengal and Maghi in Punjab.

Stories linked to Makar Sankranti

• Bhishma and Uttarayan: In the Mahabharata, the great warrior Bhishma, lying wounded, chose to wait for Uttarayan before leaving his body, because it was considered an auspicious time. Learn more in our Mahabharata story for kids.

• The Ganga reaching the sea: Some traditions link this day to the Ganga reaching the sea after King Bhagiratha's prayers. The Gangasagar Mela in West Bengal draws pilgrims at this time. Read the story of Bhagiratha in our Shiva stories for kids.

• Surya and Shani: A traditional story says the Sun visits his son Shani, ruler of Makara, at this time, symbolising reconciliation between father and son.

Why til and gud?

Sesame (til) and jaggery (gud) are winter foods in many Indian traditions, believed to keep the body warm. Sharing til-gud sweets is also a symbol of friendship and forgiveness, letting go of quarrels and speaking kindly. It is a lovely message for children, and a good reminder for adults too.

Festival foods to try together

Food is the easiest way to help children feel the difference between regions. Here are a few traditional dishes from this season that you can cook, buy or simply talk about:

• Til-gud laddoo or chikki: Sesame and jaggery sweets shared across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and beyond.

• Sakkarai pongal: Sweet rice cooked with jaggery, milk and ghee in Tamil Nadu.

• Ven pongal: A savoury rice and moong dal dish flavoured with pepper and cumin.

• Undhiyu: Gujarat's slow-cooked mixed winter vegetables.

• Khichdi: Eaten and donated in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, which is why the festival is called Khichdi there.

• Sarson ka saag and makki di roti: A winter favourite in Punjab around Lohri.

• Pitha: Rice cakes from Assam, Odisha and Bengal.

• Ellu bella: A mix of sesame, jaggery, coconut and peanuts shared in Karnataka.

Make a "festival food map" by drawing India and sticking a picture of each dish on its state. It's a fun mix of geography and food that older children enjoy.

Kite flying safely

Kite flying is the highlight for many children, but it needs care:

• Always fly kites with an adult on rooftops, and stay away from edges.

• Use plain cotton thread, not glass-coated or synthetic manja, which can injure people and birds. Many states have restricted such strings.

• Stay away from electric wires.

• Watch out for birds. Many cities set up bird rescue camps during kite season. Avoid flying kites in early morning and evening when birds are most active.

Activities for kids

These simple ideas work whether you live in a big city flat or a house with a garden, and most need only things you already have at home.

• Make a paper kite: Use newspaper, two sticks and cotton thread.

• Til-gud laddoos: Let children help roll sesame and jaggery laddoos (with adult help for the hot jaggery).

• Pongal pot drawing: Draw a decorated pot overflowing with rice and add sugarcane and turmeric plants.

• Sun diary: Record sunrise and sunset times through January.

• Thank a farmer: Talk about where rice, sugarcane and vegetables come from and how farmers grow them.

• Rangoli or kolam: In Tamil Nadu, families draw beautiful kolam patterns at the entrance for Pongal. Try a simple one with rice flour.

Explaining the festivals to different ages

• Ages 3 to 5: "It's a festival to thank the Sun and farmers. We fly kites and eat sweets."

• Ages 5 to 8: Explore how different states celebrate and try one custom from each.

• Ages 8 to 12: Discuss the solar calendar, the changing day length and the stories of Bhishma and Bhagiratha.

For a full year of celebrations, see our festivals of India for kids, and for another festival that thanks the Sun, read Chhath Puja for kids.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Makar Sankranti celebrated?

It marks the Sun's entry into Makara (Capricorn) and the start of Uttarayan, and celebrates the harvest and longer days.

Why does Makar Sankranti fall on the same date every year?

Because it follows the solar calendar rather than the lunar calendar, so it usually falls on 14 or 15 January.

What is the difference between Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Lohri?

They are regional harvest festivals celebrated at the same time of year. Pongal is celebrated in Tamil Nadu, Lohri in Punjab and north India, and Makar Sankranti in many other states.

Why do people fly kites on Makar Sankranti?

Kite flying is a joyful tradition, especially in Gujarat and Rajasthan, linked to enjoying the winter sun and celebrating the season.

Why do we eat til and gud?

Sesame and jaggery are traditional winter foods and sharing them symbolises friendship and sweet words.