As the sun begins its northward journey, the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh gear up to celebrate Makar Sankranti on January 14, 2026, with an array of traditional, seasonal dishes. This festival, deeply rooted in agrarian traditions, is a vibrant tribute to Surya Dev (the Sun God), where devotees express gratitude for sunlight, harvest, and life energy. The celebration revolves around wholesome foods made from newly harvested crops, sesame seeds (til), jaggery (gur), rice, and lentils, symbolizing warmth and prosperity.
The Significance of Food in Makar Sankranti Celebrations
Makar Sankranti is not just a festival; it's a culinary homage to the winter harvest. In the agrarian heartlands of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the day is synonymous with community, donation of til, and feasting on dishes that provide strength and warmth during the chilly season. The foods prepared are intentional, utilizing seasonal produce to create meals that are both nutritious and symbolic of the sun's nourishing power.
1. Dahi Chura: The Classic Starter
A quintessential breakfast or prasad, Dahi Chura is a simple yet beloved dish. It combines flattened rice (chura) with creamy curd and sweetened with jaggery or sugar. This porridge-like preparation is light, refreshing, and often the first thing consumed on Sankranti morning.
2. Tilkut: The Sesame Delight
No Sankranti in Bihar is complete without Tilkut. This iconic sweet is made by pounding sesame seeds with jaggery, traditionally using stone grinders. The resulting crunchy disc or ball symbolizes strength and is a perfect energy booster for the cold weather.
3. Kala Til Laddoo: The Nutritious Powerhouse
These laddoos harness the goodness of black sesame seeds, jaggery, and a hint of grated ginger. Black sesame is prized for its health benefits, and these laddoos are considered a warming food that promotes vitality.
4. White Sesame Laddoo: A Crunchy Treat
A variation of the classic, these laddoos use dry-roasted white sesame seeds bound with melted jaggery. The addition of roasted peanuts introduces a delightful crunch, making it a festive favorite.
5. Khichdi: The Festival Centerpiece
This one-pot dish holds prime importance. Made with rice, lentils (dal), turmeric, salt, and seasonal vegetables, it is tempered with aromatic ghee and cumin seeds. It represents simplicity, wholesomeness, and is often the main meal of the day.
6. Lai: The Puffed Rice Sweet
Lai is a type of laddoo where puffed rice is combined with melted jaggery. It's seasoned with roasted peanuts and grated ginger, creating a light, sweet, and crunchy snack that is both delicious and easy to share.
7. Chura Matar: The Savory Snack
This classic snack features flattened rice shallow-fried with a garlic tempering. It is served alongside stir-fried green peas seasoned with salt, pepper, and chilli, offering a perfect savory counterpoint to the day's sweets.
8. Gur Ke Chawal: UP's Sweet Specialty
Primarily prepared in Uttar Pradesh, this dish is a celebration of jaggery. Broken rice is cooked with jaggery, ghee, and whole spices, resulting in a fragrant, sweet rice dish that beautifully balances flavor and aroma.
9. Dal Pitha: Bihari Dumpling Delight
A traditional Bihari specialty, Dal Pitha are steamed dumplings. The outer layer is made from rice or wheat flour dough, stuffed with a coarse chana dal mixture seasoned with hing, ajwain, ginger, and garlic. They are typically served with fresh dhania (coriander) chutney.
10. Pakoda: The Perfect Khichdi Accompaniment
On this day, khichdi is often served with an assortment of crispy pakodas. The batter, made from besan (gram flour) and spices, is used to coat vegetables like baigan (brinjal), aloo (potato), gobhi (cauliflower), shimla mirch (capsicum), and even paneer, before being deep-fried to golden perfection.
A Festival of Gratitude and Flavor
The celebration of Makar Sankranti in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh is a beautiful tapestry of faith, farming, and food. Each dish, from the sesame-laden sweets to the hearty khichdi, tells a story of the land, the harvest, and the cultural reverence for the sun's life-giving energy. As families gather on January 14, 2026, these ten traditional dishes will once again take center stage, continuing a legacy of flavor that has been passed down through generations.
