Puri, Jan 14: The arrival of Makar Sankranti marks the end of shorter days and longer nights, with daylight hours beginning to increase gradually from this auspicious occasion. In keeping with a popular Odia saying that notes the lengthening of days from Makar, the festival also signifies the commencement of the Sun’s northward journey (Uttarayana), during which temperatures slowly begin to rise.
The six-month Uttarayana period is considered highly auspicious, and is traditionally associated with the performance of marriages, religious vows, yajnas, house construction, and temple consecrations. For the people of Odisha, Makar Sankranti is also a festival of social bonding and friendship. On the day, adolescents and young men and women strengthen relationships by sharing Makar Chakata and observing the traditional practice of Makar Basi.
By this time of the year, new crops such as paddy and sugarcane are harvested across the state. Using newly harvested paddy, a special offering known as Makar Chawal is prepared with arua rice, fresh jaggery, chhena (cottage cheese), coconut, ripe bananas, ghee, milk, and ground black pepper. The offering is first presented to household deities and in threshing yards before being shared among family members and friends.
Makar Sankranti also holds special significance at the Puri Srimandir, where Goddess Lakshmi is believed to return from her parental home at Barunalaya on this day. Across Odisha, households prepare traditional delicacies such as khichdi, rashi jau, badam jau, manda kakara, and kheer, along with Makar Chawal. Consuming khichdi and gudia (sweet fritters) remains an integral part of the celebrations.
This year, the sacred Makar Sankranti festival will be observed at the Srimandir on Wednesday. As part of the preparations, the Makar Tada was brought in a ceremonial procession from Alamchandi Temple to the main shrine on Tuesday afternoon. Following the completion of evening rituals and sandalwood application, the Chawal Melan and Adhibasa rituals were conducted.
During the festival, the deities will be adorned with Makar Chula and garlands, and dressed in special attire. Offerings of Makar Chawal and Dhanumuan will be made to the Lord, followed by the Makar Bedha ritual conducted in a ceremonial procession with gongs and umbrellas.
On the day of Sankranti, after the completion of the Lord’s Abakasha (morning rituals), a special attire ceremony will be held. The morning offerings will be followed by the Mahasnana (grand bathing) ritual. The deities will be dressed in new garments and adorned with hair ornaments and six forms of jewellery. During the midday offering, food will arrive from the temple kitchen in a ceremonial procession accompanied by gongs, umbrellas, and trumpets. The rituals will conclude with Shodasha Upachara, followed by Makar Bedha, offerings, and Bandapana ceremonies.
