Makar Sankranti 2026: 8 Traditional Dishes To Try This Year

1. Puran Poli

[{"selector":"#anim-80d3fe7d-fbaa-4235-83dd-5dacb29e4341","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7379a6f7-197b-4120-b941-f0a36e3c4f04","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 210.87463%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] It is a festive Indian flatbread made using soft dough stuffed with a sweet filling of cooked lentils, jaggery, cardamom, and more. Credits: Unsplash

2. Sweet Pongal

[{"selector":"#anim-d9693260-3069-42fe-82c0-b2fde1846d4e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-83bae6f4-b5ab-4fcb-9a34-e5cad00a15b0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 248.91966%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Sweet pongal is a traditional South Indian dish made with rice and lentils. It is cooked with milk, water, and jaggery. Credits: Unsplash

3. Pinni

[{"selector":"#anim-8d0a365a-c08c-407c-96e0-f24a42188b45","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8cbdd360-98a0-4093-b4e6-1fd89d198b92","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 211.93851%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Pinni is a traditional Punjabi sweet dish made with whole wheat flour, desi ghee, jaggery or sugar, and dry fruits. It provides warmth and energy. Credits: Unsplash

4. Makara Chaula

[{"selector":"#anim-1000a5e7-f9c0-4d24-a43f-a0b6ab3e0436","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f34271fb-d406-41b9-b164-613f1cf9fd09","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 177.5846%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Makara chaula is a traditional sweet and savoury salad made from pithas (sweet dumplings). These are mixed with fruits, spices, and chenna. It is often enjoyed in Odisha. Credits: @BBSRBuzz/ X

5. Undhiyu

[{"selector":"#anim-d3dac328-6f71-4206-8412-31a3778b2192","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ca8c1064-4e5f-4610-84d7-df10657ee6df","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 214.06614%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Undhiyu is a flavourful Gujarati winter dish made from seasonal vegetables like yams, eggplant, and beans. It is slow-cooked in upside-down earthen pots. Credits: Unsplash

6. Khichdi

[{"selector":"#anim-39c4948e-fb8e-4507-8c90-7dc075d37afa","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2a3f0db6-e905-46a6-97f7-c0925af1a6c1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 227.89592%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Khichdi is a comforting dish of rice and lentils. It is often made using newly harvested grains during the Makar Sankranti festival in India. Credits: Unsplash

7. Suji Ka Halwa

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8. Til Ke Ladoo

[{"selector":"#anim-f6246a9a-568b-4107-8fa9-4eda91dc8b2e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f27c2d68-33ab-4440-aa21-1335c1d0805f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 214.06614%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Til ke ladoo is a Makar Sankranti treat made using sesame seeds and jaggery. It represents love and goodwill and is also nutritious during winter. Credits: Canva/ ShashikantDurshettiwar