Lucknow Residents Embrace Makar Sankranti with Joy and Tradition
On Thursday, the city of Lucknow came alive with vibrant celebrations for Makar Sankranti, a cherished Hindu festival marking the sun's transition into Capricorn and the mid-winter harvest. People across the city engaged in time-honored customs, filling the day with prayer, food, and community spirit.
Traditional Delicacies and Temple Visits
Homes throughout Lucknow buzzed with activity as families prepared special dishes for the occasion. Many cooked khichdi, gud ke chawal, and til laddoos, savoring the flavors of the season. Nandini Mishra shared her experience, saying she visited a temple in the morning to pray for her family before cooking Makar Sankranti specialties. Rateesha Mishra added to the culinary festivities by preparing urad ki khichdi and gud ki kheer for her loved ones.
Temples across the city saw a steady stream of devotees offering bhog to deities. Neha Chandra, who visited the New Aliganj temple, prayed for the health of her parents and siblings, as well as success in her exams. Rohit Verma echoed similar sentiments, focusing his prayers on the well-being of his parents.
Sky Filled with Colorful Kites
The skyline of Lucknow transformed into a canvas of colorful kites, featuring designs ranging from cartoon images to intricate patterns. Both adults and children participated enthusiastically in kite flying, a hallmark of the festival. Amit Narayan, aged 31, described buying seven to eight colorful kites and inviting friends to fly them together at his residence.
Seventeen-year-old Vedant Bajpai, who boasts a collection of about 300 kites, purchased various types like flower, sun, moon, and star kites to enjoy with friends. Younger participants like eleven-year-old Aman Srivastava also joined in, buying 10 to 11 kites a week prior and making reels to share on social media accounts.
Community Feast and Charity Efforts
Adding a layer of social service to the celebrations, the Manav Adarsh Sewa Samiti organized a bhandara, or feast, at Charbagh. The event served khichdi and kheer to attendees while distributing blankets to underprivileged individuals. Pallav Ghosh, the founder of the organization, explained that the gathering aimed to promote compassion, brotherhood, and unity among people.
This blend of personal joy and community outreach highlighted the essence of Makar Sankranti in Lucknow, bringing together tradition and generosity in a memorable celebration.
