The harvest festival of India goes by many names. Makar Sankranti, Thai Pongal, Uttarayana, Lohri, and Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu. Hindus celebrate the harvest festival thanking the Sun God for agricultural abundance. It also marks the end of winter solstice and the start of longer days.
Traditionally, in South India, Sankranthi is celebrated by making a yummy porridge of rice and lentils. The cows that plough the fields are worshipped and decorated with colorful attire. They are also made to jump off a wall of burning fire, to ward off evil. The house doors are adorned with flowers and mango leaves, the floors with colorful rangoli. Making soft sugar candy, called sakkare acchu in Karnataka, is also an age old tradition on this day.
Pongal and sakkare achu recipe
Sankranthi menu consists of traditional sweet and khara pongal, porridges made with lentils and rice. Sakkare achu ia a classic, soft sugar candy made with sugar.
