Makara Sankranti in Kumaon

By Vijita Mukherjee

Makara Sankranti is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. On this day, known as Uttarayani or Ghughuti (घुघुति) in Kumaon, the sun enters the zodiac sign of ‘Makara’ (Capricorn), and starts to move to the north (uttar). With a change of season, the migratory birds start returning to the hills.

In keeping with the spirit of sharing, Khichadi (a nutritious mixture of pulses and rice) is given in charity. People also take ceremonial dips in holy rivers and participate in the Uttarayani fairs across the region. They make sweetmeats out of flour and jaggery, shape them into drums, pomegranates, shields and swords and deep fry them in clarified butter or ghee . These are strung together with foxnuts and worn as necklaces and maybe an orange or two in the middle! Early in the morning children wear these unique garlands and chant “Kale Kauva” to attract crows and other birds and offer them tidbits from their edible necklaces! Kale Kauva means ‘black crow’. This gesture welcomes all the migratory birds coming back to the hills after their winter sojourn in the plains.

The children come out calling the crows with various versions of this rhyme on their lips:

Kale Kale,
Bhol bate aile,
Bor puwa khale.
Le Kauva bara,
Mai ke de sunu ghara,
Le Kauva dhal,
Mai ke de sunu thai.

(Come crow, come everyday from tomorrow to enjoy bara and puwa. Take the bara and give me a pitcher full of gold. Take the shield and give me a golden plate.)

Amar Chitra Katha wishes you all Happy Makara Sankranti!