WishesMakar Sankranti and Pongal wishes
In the middle of January much of India celebrates the harvest and the sun's turn towards longer days. It is Makar Sankranti in many states, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Uttarayan in Gujarat, Magh Bihu in Assam and Maghi in Punjab, the day after Lohri. These wishes cover them all.
Makar Sankranti and Uttarayan
May your kite fly high and your string stay strong. Happy Makar Sankranti.
Sesame for warmth, jaggery for sweetness, and sunshine for the days ahead. Happy Sankranti.
The sun has turned towards us again. May the longer days bring you good things. Happy Makar Sankranti.
Til gul for you, and a promise to speak sweetly all year. I will try. Happy Sankranti.
Good wind, clear sky and a rooftop full of friends. Happy Uttarayan.
Wishing you a harvest of health and happiness. Happy Makar Sankranti to you and your family.
Khichdi on the stove, sun on the terrace, family all around. Happy Sankranti.
Pongal
Pongalo Pongal! May your pot overflow, and your home with it.
Wishing you sweet pongal, new rice and a year of plenty. Happy Pongal.
Thanks to the sun, the soil, the cattle and the farmer. Happy Pongal to you and your family.
May the kolam at your door welcome only good news this year. Happy Pongal.
Maghi and Bihu
Maghi greetings to you and your family. May the cold go and the good days come.
Happy Magh Bihu. May the feast be long and the bonfire warm.
हिन्दी में
तिल गुड़ की मिठास आपके रिश्तों में बनी रहे। मकर संक्रांति की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ।
पतंग ऊँची उड़े, डोर मज़बूत रहे। मकर संक्रांति मुबारक।
सूरज उत्तरायण हुआ, दिन बड़े होने लगे। आपके जीवन में भी उजाला बढ़े। शुभ संक्रांति।
खिचड़ी, तिल और अपनों का साथ। मकर संक्रांति की शुभकामनाएँ।
नई फ़सल, नई उमंग। पोंगल की हार्दिक बधाई।
तिल गुड़ खाइए और मीठा मीठा बोलिए। संक्रांति की बधाई।
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਵਿੱਚ
ਮਾਘੀ ਦੇ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਦਿਹਾੜੇ ਦੀਆਂ ਲੱਖ ਲੱਖ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ।
ਰਹੁ ਦੀ ਖੀਰ ਤੇ ਧੁੱਪ ਦਾ ਨਿੱਘ। ਮਾਘੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਭ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਬਾਰਕਾਂ।
ਪਤੰਗ ਉੱਚੀ ਉੱਡੇ, ਡੋਰ ਪੱਕੀ ਰਹੇ। ਸੰਗਰਾਂਦ ਦੀਆਂ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ।
ਤਿਲ ਗੁੜ ਵਰਗੀ ਮਿਠਾਸ ਰਿਸ਼ਤਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਣੀ ਰਹੇ। ਮਾਘੀ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ।
Nothing matches. Try a shorter word, or choose All.
One season, many names
Makar Sankranti falls on 14 January in most years and on 15 January in some. Unlike most Hindu festivals it follows the sun, which is why its date hardly moves. The customs differ from state to state:
- Maharashtra: sweets of sesame and jaggery are exchanged with the words "til gul ghya, god god bola": take this sweet, and speak sweetly.
- Gujarat and Rajasthan: the sky fills with kites for Uttarayan.
- Tamil Nadu: Pongal is kept over four days, and the dish called pongal is boiled until it overflows, as a sign of plenty. "Pongalo Pongal!" is the happy shout.
- Punjab: Maghi follows Lohri, with kheer made in sugarcane juice in many homes.
- Uttar Pradesh and Bihar: khichdi, til and a dip in the river.
- Assam: Magh Bihu, also called Bhogali Bihu, the festival of feasting.
Make it yours
- Use the name your friend uses. A Tamil friend is wished "Happy Pongal", and a Gujarati friend "Happy Uttarayan".
- Mention the food: tilgul, chikki, pongal, khichdi, pitha. Every home has its own.
- For kite fliers: a wish for good wind and a strong string.
- For farming families: a wish for the harvest, and thanks for it.
A safe kite day
- Fly from open ground, not from roof edges without a parapet.
- Use plain cotton string. Glass-coated and synthetic string injures people and birds, and is banned in many places. Follow the local rule.
- Take down kites and string from trees and wires where it is safe to do so, and call the authorities where it is not.
Make it yours
- To elders, wish with the traditional line of their region. They will be delighted that you knew it.
Questions
When is Makar Sankranti?
On 14 January in most years, and 15 January in some. Check the calendar for the year.
What do you say on Pongal?
"Happy Pongal" is right, and "Pongalo Pongal" is the traditional cheer when the pot boils over.