Khichdi (Makar Sankranti)
Makar Sankranti is one of the important festivals of India. The word Sankranti is derived from sat and kranti, meaning “Good Movement.” Sankranti means transmigration of Sun from one constellation of the zodiac to another.
This festival is associated with nature, season change and agriculture. All the three things are base of life. As the factor of nature, this day, God Sun is being worshiped.
It is a festival of farewell to winters and greeting of spring season as well as crop harvesting and bringing them home. At the time of organising a festival, the first talk is about food and dishes. As the festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated in different styles all over the country, similarly the food prepared also has different varieties. The thing to be observed is that, although the festival of Makar Sankranti may have everywhere, different names, and ways of celebration as well as dishes prepared, but the ingredients used are mostly same.
The offering is first of all made to family God. People exchange Khichdi and other eatables with each other. In Jammu, Makar Sankranti is also known by the name ‘Khichdi’- a dish made from rice and lentils.
