1 / 7The auspicious day of Makar Sankranti, welcoming the harvest season is observed across the country with great joy and enthusiasm. This year, the grand celebration of Makar Sankranti will be observed on Monday, January 15. From Punjab to Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, people celebrate Makar Sankranti in their unique ways. However, one thing that stays common among all cultures is enjoying traditional dishes with family and friends. Here are some of the traditional yet commonly prepared food recipes that you cannot miss trying this Makar Sankranti. (Image: Shutterstock)
2 / 7Til Laddoo/Chikki | Sesame seeds play a crucial role in the festivities of Makar Sankranti, and therefore, having til laddoo made with til and gud (jaggery) forms an integral part of the celebration. Besides having a great taste, til and gud both provide warmth to the body. (Image: Shutterstock)
3 / 7Payesh |The sweet dish, payesh, is similar to the very known kheer. However, the major difference is that the payesh is sweetened using jaggery instead of sugar. Payesh has a rich and thick pudding-like structure obtained from the rice and full cream milk. (Image: Shutterstock)
4 / 7Makara Chaula | Another popular Makar Sankranti dish is the Makara Chaula, which is prepared widely in Odisha. It is specially cooked using freshly harvested rice along with jaggery, milk, banana, and sugarcane. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
5 / 7Undhiyu | The Gujarati traditional dish undhiyu is yet another popular recipe to try. It contains several vegetables, including potato, brinjal, green beans, peas, and raw banana. It is traditionally slow-cooked in upside-down earthen pots over the fire. (Image: Shutterstock)
6 / 7Puran Poli | The Maharashtrian dish puran poli is a delectable dish. It is a sweet flatbread filled with crumbly moong dal mixed with jaggery inside. Besides being the traditional dish for Makar Sankranti, it is one of the favourite breakfast options in Maharashtra. (Image: Shutterstock)
7 / 7Sakkar and Ven Pongal | Two of the most famous dishes from the southern part of the country are sakkar and ven pongal. While sakkar pongal is a sweet version of the dish that is made with rice, moong dal, and jaggery, ven pongal is the savoury version. The ven pongal is made with rice, moong dal, coconut, cashew, and ghee. (Image: Shutterstock)
