While most of us look at Makar Sankranti as an occassion of festive indulgences, it has a much more profound meaning than that. Hindus celebrate the festival, which honours the Sun God or Lord Surya, on January 14 every year. For aeons, several rituals have talked about the depth of our heritage of donations and benevolent acts as catalysts of auspiciousness. Serving and feeding the needy and the underprivileged is one of the festival's most unique features. People donate various goods to the poor, with food topping the list. A few of them include common ingredients such as sesame seeds, jaggery, and fruits. While things get intriguing with specific preparation, such as Gupt Lakshmi Laddoo and Urad Dal Khichdi.
Here is a list of 5 such food items that bring good luck when donated on Makar Sankranti.
Sesame Seeds
There are references in Vedas of calling Makar Sankranti as Til Sankranti. Many Indian communities use sesame seeds or til to cook a variety of traditional delicacies. This food ingredient has relevance beyond only unique dishes. Sesame donations have a special meaning during this festival. On this auspicious day, sesame seeds are used in the worship of Lord Vishnu, Surya, and Shani Dev.
Jaggery
Organic jaggery blocks, Image Source: Freepik
The traditional sweetener jaggery has long been used to prepare a variety of celebratory foods. The jaggery season is also when Makar Sankranti falls. Donating jaggery has special significance in astrology in addition to promoting health. Know the rationale behind it? Its contribution eliminates poverty in the home because it is one of Solar Deity's favourite foods. There will be a sufficient amount of money in your home, it is therefore claimed.
Gupt Lakshmi
Sesame and jaggery laddoo, Image Source: Unsplash
Gupt Lakshmi is an intriguing proposal for a Makar Sankranti offering. Many choose to prepare Sesame-Jaggery Laddoos or Til Gud ke Laddoos for donating from the list of charity items during this festival. A striking element of it is the concealment of a coin within it, known as giving Gupt Lakshmi or Secret Goddess of Prosperity. Not every sesame and jaggery laddoo has it. The practice of Gupt Lakshmi on Makar Sankranti is symbolic of fostering a habit of let rid of your ego while performing philanthropy.
Fruits
Fresh berries, Image Source: Pexels
Fruits are regarded as one of the most auspicious contributions in the Vedas. They are among nature's best works of art and offer flavours and health benefits. They supply nutrition and enhance one's wellbeing. Annadaan, or the donation of food, is considered the best charity in Hindu rites, and nothing does it better than fresh fruit.
Urad dal khichdi
Chilka wali urad dal khichdi, Image Source: foodtrails25.com
During Makar Sankranti, giving khichdi is thought to have a particular meaning. On this day, a few communities in India prepare rice and black urad dal khichdi and devour it. Similarly, this khichdi is donated on this day. Donating urad dal is thought to be associated with Shani Dev and eliminates the Shani Dosha. It is claimed that serving khichdi on Makar Sankranti multiplies its worth by a hundred and brings joy and tranquilly into the home. To help the less fortunate, one can give away prepared khichdi or the ingredients such as rice, urad dal, salt, ghee, and turmeric.
However, like any other practice of charity, one has to remember that donating foods on Makar Sankranti to attract good luck shouldn’t be done just with a vested interest. One must do it with pure heart and compassion, letting go of pride and ego.
