Come January, it is time for Makar Sankranti in the North and Pongal in South India. These are spring festivals, enjoyed with lots of outdoor activities that keep us close to nature and remind us of how closely we are bonded with our environment.
During Makar Sankranti, kids and adults flock to the terrace and other open spaces with colorful kites. The sky is dotted with bright kites and the atmosphere is abuzz with the festive spirit. It is considered important to make sweets with peanuts, sesame seeds, coconut and jaggery during this festival, and usually,chikki is the most popular sweet made with these ingredients.
In South India, Makar Sankranti is celebrated in honor of the Sun, the life force that makes life possible on Earth. In Tamil Nadu, this festival is called Pongal, and farmers pay their obeisance to the Sun God, thank him for a good harvest, and pray for the forthcoming agricultural cycle to be fruitful too. Freshly-harvested rice and vegetables are used to make traditional delights.
Any festival is a time to celebrate with friends and family and to keep traditions alive. Food being a part and parcel of our culture, it is also important to know how to cook and serve our traditional delicacies with love and care. We will always be by your side, helping you achieve the best outcome in the kitchen!