

Makar Sankranti festival is celebrated in many states of India on January 14 and is one of the most important harvest festivals. Have you ever wondered why Makar Sankranti is celebrated? People worship the Sun on this day as they believe it brings them prosperity and good fortune. Makar Sankranti significance is quite large in Hindu calendar as it is believed to have an influence in people’s life.
From this day, winters start declining and the gate for spring opens up. This is why Makar Sankranti is celebrated. However, Makar Sankranti celebration is not complete without food and delicacies. People from different states make different foods on this occasion.
Healthy Food For Makar Sankranti Festival
Just like all festivals, Makar Sankranti festival also has some specific dishes that are prepared on the auspicious day. However, giving them a healthy touch will help you stay in tune with your fitness goals. Here are some healthy Sankranti recipes that will make you enjoy this festival the right way:
1. Till Papdi
Makar Sankranti harvest festival is celebrated with plenty of healthy foods and till papdi is one of them. Ingredients in it are a great source of B vitamins, fibre, iron, calcium, and other nutrients which support healthy bones and cell formation. This makes it one of the healthiest Sankranti recipes.
Ingredients: sesame seeds, cow ghee, pistachio, and jaggery
Method:
- Roast sesame seeds in a light flame in a pan and keep them aside for cooling down.
- Put ghee in a pan, add small pieces of jaggery into it and cook on medium flame. Don’t forget to stir continuously.
- Wait until the jaggery becomes crispy.
- Add roasted sesame seeds in it and mix them well.
- Add the mixture in a bowl of hot water separately.
- Take the mixture out in small portions and flatten it.
- Sprinkle chopped pistachios.
- Serve the Sankranti special food when it cools down.
2. Oats Chikki
A Sankranti special food that is full of health benefits. Oats are rich in many nutrients, especially fibre, iron, and protein. This Makar Sankranti festival, try out the recipe for oats chikki and stay on track with your fitness goals.
Ingredients: rolled oats, ghee, chopped walnuts, and jaggery
Method:
- Heat a broad non-stick pan on a low flame.
- Roast rolled oats on a medium flame then keep it aside.
- Add ghee and jaggery in that pan and mix it well.
- Heat it up on a slow flame and then stir it continuously.
- Remove the pan from the flame.
- Add the chopped walnuts mixed with roasted oats. Mix it properly.
- Transfer it immediately to a greased pan.
- Allow it to get cool and then cut into equal square pieces.
3. Thayir Sadam
A pongal food which is quite famous for its taste and traditional touch. It is specially prepared on the day of Makar Sankranti festival.
Ingredients: pomegranates, rice, daal, cashews, curd, chopped carrot, and black dried chilies
Method:
- Cook brown, white, or matta rice in a bowl or pressure cooker.
- Add one cup of curd to the cooked rice. Mix it properly.
- Take a pan and heat oil in it. Add mustard in small amounts with cumin, chana dal, urad dal, and cashews.
- Add carrots and coriander leaves and then pour the curd rice in it. Stir it properly.
- It is ready to be served with papad, pickle, and podi.
Conclusion
Paal Payasam/ Kheer, Til ladoo, Chakkara Pongal, and others are some of the other Makar Sankranti special treats that you can try. Makar Sankranti significance is from ancient times, indicating our timeless connection with nature. This Makar Sankranti festival, add the above-mentioned healthy dishes to your celebrations, and make sure you and your loved ones enjoy it heartily!
Frequently Asked Questions About Makar Sankranti
Q2. Why is Harvest Festival the other name of Makar Sankranti?
With Makar Sankranti, people celebrate the longer days that eventually come with the spring season. This also marks the start of the new harvest season, and therefore, the festival is also known as the Harvest Festival.