Lohri, Makar Sankranti And Pongal: What India Eats During These Harvest Festivals

Tilgul Ladoo (Maharashtra)Made with sesame seeds and jaggery, these sweet ladoos are a Sankranti staple. Packed with calcium and iron, they symbolise warmth and unity during the cold winter harvest celebrations.Makki di Roti and Sarson da Saag (Punjab)Lohri is incomplete without this hearty combination. The cornmeal flatbread and mustard greens curry celebrate Punjab’s agricultural bounty, served with white butter for a wholesome, festive meal.Ven Pongal (Tamil Nadu)A namesake dish for the festival, this savoury rice and lentil preparation is seasoned with black pepper, ghee, and cashews. It is offered as prasad to Sun God during the Pongal harvest celebrations.Patishapta (Bengal)This Bengali delicacy is a thin rice flour crepe stuffed with coconut, jaggery, or khoya. It’s a traditional treat during Sankranti, showcasing Bengal’s love for sweets and seasonal ingredients.Churma (Rajasthan)This sweet made with whole wheat, jaggery, and ghee is a festive favourite during Makar Sankranti. Its crumbly texture and rich flavours highlight Rajasthan’s rustic charm and culinary simplicity.Puran Poli (Maharashtra, Karnataka)A sweet flatbread filled with jaggery and lentils, Puran Poli is a celebratory dish for Sankranti. The balance of sweetness and spice represents the harmony of harvest season.Ellu Bella (Karnataka)This unique Sankranti dish is a mix of sesame seeds, peanuts, jaggery, and dried coconut. Shared among neighbours, it symbolises goodwill and togetherness in the festive spirit.Tilkut (Bihar)A Sankranti delicacy from Bihar, Tilkut is a sweet made with sesame seeds and sugar or jaggery. Its crunchy texture and nutty flavour make it a cherished seasonal snack.Ariselu (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana)Made from rice flour, jaggery, and ghee, these fried sweet discs are a Pongal staple. They’re enjoyed during harvest festivities and reflect the agricultural heritage of South India.Gajak (Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh)A winter favourite, Gajak is a brittle made from sesame seeds, jaggery, and ghee. It’s widely consumed during Lohri and Sankranti for its energy-boosting properties in the chilly season.All You Need To Know About Pongal 2025Read More