Healthshots

By Aayushi Gupta

Published Jan 13, 2024

10 Foods To Celebrate Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti 2024: From pongal, pinni, to khichdi, here are 10 traditional and healthy foods from across India that you can enjoy on the festival. 

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These sweet sesame seed balls are a quintessential Makar Sankranti delight. Packed with nutrients, til ladoos provide an energy boost and symbolize warmth and prosperity.

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Til Ladoo

Makar Sankranti is incomplete without a bowl of piping hot khichdi made with rice and lentils. It is a comfort food and is easy to digest.

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Khichdi

A crunchy and sweet preparation made from sesame seeds and jaggery, gajak is not only delicious but also a great source of essential minerals and vitamins.

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Gajak

A South Indian dish made with newly harvested rice, lentils, and a generous amount of ghee, pongal signifies abundance and is a staple during this festive period.

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Pongal

This is a blend of ground nuts, dry coconut, jaggery and sesame seeds. Not only does it taste delicious but it also gives you a nutritional punch. 

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Ellu Bella

This Punjabi sweet treat, made with whole wheat flour, desi ghee, and jaggery, is a rich and wholesome delicacy enjoyed during the festive season.

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Pinni

A Bengali rice pudding, payesh, is often prepared with jaggery during Makar Sankranti. It represents the sweetness and prosperity associated with the festival.

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Payesh

Hailing from Gujarat, undhiyu is a mixed vegetable dish cooked with a blend of spices. It contains vegetables such as potato, green beans, peas, brinjal, raw bananas, etc.

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Undhiyu

Puran poli, a sweet flatbread stuffed with a mixture of lentils and jaggery, is a traditional dish savored during Makar Sankranti in different parts of India.

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Puran Poli 

A special dish from Odisha, makara chaula is a combination of uncooked, newly harvested rice, jaggery, banana, coconut, and khai (popped rice), offering a mix of flavors and textures.

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Makara Chaula