Makar Sankranti: Shikha Talsania Shares Her Memories Of Kites, Traditions, And Sweet Surprises

For the information geeks, Makar Sankranti is a significant Hindu festival celebrated on January 14 every year albeit on January 15 in leap years. It marks the beginning of the sun's journey towards the northern hemisphere, known as the Uttarayan. The festival has regional variations, Pongal in Tamil Nadu and Maghi in Punjab to name a few.

But for most of us the festival is about the sky being a sight to behold. The night sky stars seem to have paved their way for day time stars — the colourful kites and the air rent with cries of kai po che. The palate is titillated by simple til ladoos bound together by jaggery; they taste far more delicious than the richest mithai that day.

Actress Shikha Talsania (daughter of actor Tiku Talsania) famous for films like Veera Di Wedding, Wake Up Sid and Satyaprem Ki Katha says, “Makar Sankranti is about celebrating the end of the winter solstice and welcoming the warmth of longer days and spring.”

The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm, with various traditions and customs. Shikha reminisces, “One of my everlasting memories of an earlier Makar Sankranti is the family flying kites and my grandmother making til ladoos with coins hidden in some.”

On the day of Makar Sankranti, Shikha's day begins with excitement, "Prepping for the family coming together for lunch and then flying kites."

Traditional foods play a significant role in the celebrations. Shikha mentions, "Sweets like til laddoos are distributed to friends and relatives. We make sweets at home, especially kurmura ladoos and til ka ladoos that my grandmother used to make. Some of these til ladoos hold a special surprise, they would have coins within them. It used to be a competition between us cousins to get the maximum amount of those ‘lucky’ ladoos."

As part of the ritual a bonfire is lit an evening prior to Makar Sankranti. While doing the parikrama people offer coconut, rewari, popcorn, gajak and peanuts to the fire and share the rest with family and friends in a show of camaraderie. Some people huddle together keeping the winter chill at bay by the warmth of the bonfire and each other’s company.

Kite flying is another integral part of the celebrations. Shikha admits, "I'm not a very good kite flyer, but my father is an expert. I try to learn every year, but I'm good at handling the firki!"

Published on: Sunday, January 12, 2025, 07:30 AM IST