Celebrating Hindi Panchang – Nutan Varsh

Nutan Varsh, the Hindi New Year, marks the beginning of a fresh calendar year according to the Hindu Panchang (calendar).
It is a time to reflect on the past, let go of negativity, and welcome new opportunities, hope, and prosperity.

🪁 Gujarat – Uttarayan (Kite Festival)

Uttarayan is one of the most vibrant festivals of Gujarat, celebrated on 14th January during Makar Sankranti.
It marks the Sun’s northward journey and symbolizes new beginnings, positivity, and joy.

On this day, the sky over Gujarat fills with colorful kites, and people of all ages gather on rooftops to fly kites from morning till night.

Families and friends enjoy traditional Gujarati foods such as Undhiyu, Jalebi, Chikki, and Til Laddoos.
The festival also promotes unity, happiness, and healthy competition.

The International Kite Festival, especially in Ahmedabad, attracts participants from across the world, making Uttarayan a global celebration.

✨ Overall, Uttarayan represents freedom, celebration of life, togetherness, and reaching new heights. 🪁

🌞 Uttarakhand – Uttrayan (Makar Sankranti)

In Uttarakhand, Uttrayan is celebrated with joy, devotion, and cultural traditions, coinciding with Makar Sankranti.

People observe the festival by:

• Taking holy dips in rivers like the Ganga, Alaknanda, and Bhagirathi, believed to purify the soul
• Offering prayers to the Sun God (Surya Dev) for health, prosperity, and good harvest
• Preparing traditional dishes like sesame and jaggery sweets, til-chikki, and poha
• Decorating and worshipping cattle in rural areas
• Enjoying kite flying in some towns

🌾 Uttrayan reflects devotion, gratitude to nature, and strong community bonds. 🌞🪁

🌼 Maharashtra – Tilgul Sankranti

Tilgul Sankranti is celebrated in Maharashtra on Makar Sankranti with warmth and harmony.

People exchange Tilgul—sweets made from sesame seeds (til) and jaggery (gul)—and greet each other with:

“Tilgul ghya, god god bola”
(Take these sweets and speak sweetly)

The festival emphasizes sweetness in relationships, forgiveness, and unity.
Women organize Haldi-Kumkum gatherings, exchange gifts, and wear new clothes.

✨ Tilgul Sankranti highlights goodwill, social bonding, and positive communication.

🌾 Tamil Nadu – Pongal (4-Day Festival)

Pongal is a major harvest festival of Tamil Nadu, celebrated over four days to express gratitude to nature, farmers, and animals.

Day 1 – Bhogi Pongal
Old and unwanted items are burned, symbolizing letting go of the past.

Day 2 – Thai Pongal
Fresh rice is cooked with milk and jaggery until it overflows, representing abundance and prosperity.

Day 3 – Mattu Pongal
Cows and bulls are decorated and worshipped for their role in agriculture.

Day 4 – Kaanum Pongal
Families go on outings, visit relatives, and strengthen bonds.

🌾 Overall, Pongal celebrates harvest, gratitude, and togetherness.

🌾 Andhra Pradesh & Telangana – Sankranti

Sankranti is one of the most important harvest festivals in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, celebrated over three to four days.

Homes are decorated with colorful Muggulu (rangoli) and Gobbemma decorations.
Families wear new clothes, fly kites, and enjoy festive meals together.

✨ The festival reflects gratitude to nature, agricultural prosperity, and family bonding.

🔥 Punjab & Haryana – Lohri

Lohri is celebrated on the eve of Makar Sankranti (13th January).

People gather around bonfires, offering sesame seeds, peanuts, jaggery, and popcorn.
Traditional Bhangra and Gidda dances, folk songs, and celebrations fill the night.

🔥 Lohri symbolizes warmth, gratitude to nature, and prosperity.

🌾 Assam – Magh Bihu (Bhogali Bihu)

Magh Bihu, also known as Bhogali Bihu, is celebrated in January.

It includes community feasts (Uruka), bonfires, and the burning of Bhelaghar huts.
Special foods like Pitha and Laru are prepared.

🔥 Magh Bihu symbolizes abundance, harvest gratitude, and community bonding.

🛕 West Bengal – Poush Sankranti

Poush Sankranti is celebrated during the month of Poush.

People take holy dips at places like Ganga Sagar Mela and prepare traditional sweets such as Pithe and Payesh.

🙏 The festival represents spiritual devotion and purification.

🙏 Odisha – Makara Sankranti

Makara Sankranti in Odisha is observed with devotion and rituals.

People prepare Makara Chaula, made from newly harvested rice, jaggery, banana, coconut, and milk, and offer it to deities and the Sun God.

✨ The festival signifies devotion, gratitude, and prosperity.

🌾 Karnataka – Suggi / Makara Sankranti

In Karnataka, Makara Sankranti is celebrated as Suggi.

People exchange Ellu Bella—a mix of sesame seeds, jaggery, coconut, peanuts, and sugarcane—as a symbol of friendship.

🌾 Suggi represents unity, agricultural prosperity, and sweetness in relationships.

🌾 Bihar & Jharkhand – Khichdi / Dahi-Chura

The festival is celebrated with holy river dips and Sun worship.

Special dishes like Khichdi and Dahi-Chura are prepared and shared.

🍚 It symbolizes simplicity, nourishment, and gratitude.

🎈 Rajasthan – Sankranti

Rajasthan celebrates Sankranti with kite flying, traditional sweets like Ghewar, and acts of charity.

✨ The festival highlights joy, generosity, and prosperity.

🏔️ Himachal Pradesh – Magha Saaji

Magha Saaji is celebrated with community feasts, prayers, and seasonal foods.

Homes are cleaned, and prayers are offered for health and happiness.

🌸 The festival strengthens cultural values and togetherness.

Uttrayan is not just about flying kites—it is about rising higher with positive thoughts, values, and unity.

Celebrate joyfully and responsibly. Respect traditions, protect nature, and spread happiness.

🪁 Happy Uttrayan! Fly high, stay grounded.