Explore how tradition marks 'Makar Sankranti' celebrations in Goa

Vrutha Karmali

FESTIVE START

As the New Year rolls out, several festivities unfold in India, celebrating its rich culture and heritage.

Makar Sankranti | Kite festival | Festivals of India |Culture and heritage | Goa

MAKAR SANKRANTI

Today, the country celebrates Makar Sankranti, a festival that is celebrated across diverse regions of India, each with its own unique traditions and names.

Makar Sankranti | Kite festival | Festivals of India | Customs and Traditions | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

SUN'S JOURNEY

Makar Sankranti is a celebration dedicated to the sun god, Surya, symbolising the shift of the sun from the zodiac sign, Sagittarius, to Capricorn, also known as Makar.

Sun | Makar Sankranti | Festivals of Goa | Traditions and Customs | Goa | Photo: Vrutha Karmali

CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

A popular activity associated with this festival is that of flying kites where families gather to watch the kites soar high and even compete to see whose kite stays high up in the sky longest.

Makar Sankranti | Kite Festival | Customs and traditions | Festivals of Goa | Kites

HALDI KUMKUM

In Goa, Sankranti festivities include Haldi Kumkum where Hindu families, particularly married women, visit each other's homes, apply haldi-kumkum (turmeric and vermilion), exchange gifts, and distribute sweets.

Goa| Customs and Traditions| Haldi-Kumkum | Festivals of Goa | Makar Sankranti | Photo: Gomantak Times

SWEET TILGUL

One of the sweets distributed during this festival is tilgul, a treat made of jaggery and sesame seeds. A popular saying associated with this tradition is 'Tilgul ghya, god god bola', which means 'Eat tilgul and speak sweetly or kindly.

Tilgul | Sweets | Festivals of Goa | Haldi Kumkum | Makar Sankranti | Goa

JOYFUL CELEBRATION

With its festive traditions and customs, Makar Sankranti in Goa is a time for people to get together, celebrate their bonds, and pray for a blessed new beginning.

Haldi Kumkum |Makar Sankranti | Customs and traditions | Festivals of Goa | Photo: Gomantak Times

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