Makar Sankranti: The Festival of Kites and Tilkut

Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Makara (Capricorn). In Bihar, it is a major harvest festival celebrated with great enthusiasm. The day begins with people taking holy dips in the Ganges and other rivers, followed by charity and prayers. For more on river-based festivals, see Kartik Purnima. It is one of the key Festivals of Bihar, similar in spirit to the Bounsi Mela.,The festival is synonymous with a special feast of Dahi Chura (curd and beaten rice), often accompanied by jaggery and various vegetable preparations. Another essential delicacy is Tilkut, a sweet made from pounded sesame seeds and jaggery, for which the city of Gaya is particularly famous.,The skies across Bihar are filled with colorful kites as people of all ages engage in friendly kite-flying competitions. The festival is a joyous celebration of nature's bounty, community bonding, and the changing seasons, much like the communal spirit seen in Pangat.

Keywords: makar sankranti, bihar festivals, dahi chura, tilkut, kite festival, harvest festival