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Celebrate Sankranti 2025 in London

Happy Sankranti | How and Where to Celebrate Sankranti in London and the UK

Happy Sankranti!

Sankranti, also known as Makar Sankranti, is a Hindu festival that celebrates the sun’s transition into the Makara (Capricorn) zodiac sign. It is observed in India and other parts of the world where Hindu communities reside.

Sankranti is a significant day for Hindus, marking the end of winter and the beginning of a new harvest season. It is celebrated with various rituals, including taking a dip in holy rivers, donating to charity, and feasting on special delicacies.

In London and the UK, Sankranti is celebrated by the Hindu community with various events and gatherings. These events typically include cultural performances, traditional food, and religious ceremonies.

Here are some places where you can celebrate Sankranti in London and the UK in 2025:

Neasden Temple: This Hindu temple in London hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including celebrations for Sankranti.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir: This iconic Hindu temple in London also organizes events for Sankranti, including prayers, rituals, and cultural performances.

Community Centers: Many Hindu community centers in London and other parts of the UK host Sankranti celebrations, offering a chance to connect with the community and participate in traditional festivities.

Private Homes: Many Hindu families in the UK celebrate Sankranti at home with their loved ones, enjoying traditional meals and exchanging gifts.

Local Mandirs: Most local Hindu Temples and Sikh Gurudwaras celebrate Sankranti or Lohri on a grand scale. Please check our local temple guide for their contact info to visit and take part in the Sankranti celebrations near you.

It is recommended to check with local Hindu organizations and temples for specific events and timings for Sankranti celebrations in 2025.

The large population of the Indian community in the UK come from many states and regions of India and spread across the country with strong cultural backgrounds.

Sankranti is celebrated by different Indian communities in a different way, but with a common theme - it’s a harvest festival that is based on the solar calendar.

The south Indians who live in the UK (Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayali) celebrate Sankranti for 3 to 4 days.

Bhogi: Cleaning houses and bonfires.

Lohri: Worship of the Sun God and cattle.

Maatu Pongal: Cooking Pongal (a sweet rice dish) in new pots and offering it to the Sun God.

Kannum Pongal: Offering Pongal to birds and crows.

The Maharashtrian community in the UK celebrates as good as it does in India.

Exchange of tilgul: People exchange sesame seed sweets (tilgul) with the greeting "Tilgul ghya, God God bola" (Take tilgul and speak sweetly).

Gujarati and Telugu people conduct kite flying. A very fun filled and popular activity, On the occasion of Sankranti festival.

Bengalis of the UK fondly call this festival ‘Poush Sankranti’.

All the Bengali community come together with their family and friends to celebrate this festival with joy and excitement.

Punjab (Maghi):

Bonfires: Bonfires are lit to symbolize the victory of good over evil.

Feasting and merrymaking: People enjoy traditional Punjabi food and music.

Bihar and Jharkhand:

Dahi-chura and tilkut: People prepare dahi-chura (flattened rice with yogurt) and tilkut (sesame sweet) to celebrate.

The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy across the UK, reflecting the country's rich cultural diversity.

Makar Sankranti, celebrated on January 14th, is a significant Indian harvest festival marked by the preparation of various traditional dishes. In the UK, especially in metro cities like London, Birmingham, etc, with diverse Indian communities, you can find or prepare several Sankranti specialties. Here are some popular dishes associated with the festival:

Tilgul Ladoo:

Sweet sesame and jaggery balls, symbolizing the bond of friendship and goodwill. These are commonly exchanged during Sankranti. You can find them at Indian sweet shops or prepare them at home.

Sakkarai Pongal:

A sweet rice dish made with jaggery, rice, and moong dal, flavored with cardamom and garnished with cashews and raisins. It's a staple during Pongal celebrations in South India. Ingredients are readily available in Indian grocery stores across the UK. 

Poda Pitha:

A traditional Odia cake made from rice flour, jaggery, and coconut, often prepared during Makar Sankranti. Its unique flavor comes from being slow-cooked or baked until it develops a distinct crust.

Sakinalu:

A crispy snack from Telangana, made with rice flour and sesame seeds, deep-fried to perfection. It's a festive delicacy during Sankranti. While it might be less common in the UK, some specialty stores or online retailers may offer it. 

Ellu Bella

A mixture of sesame seeds, jaggery, coconut, and peanuts, traditionally shared in Karnataka during Sankranti to signify sweetness and joy. You can assemble this mix at home with ingredients from local Indian markets

In London and other parts of the UK, several Indian grocery stores and online retailers stock ingredients and sometimes ready-made versions of these festive foods. Here are some places you might consider:

Laxmi Stores

Bombay Basket

Red Rikshaw

Veenas

The International Food Store

Additionally, online platforms like Amazon UK offer Sankranti special items, such as ‘Delight Foods' Sankranti Special Yellu Bella mix. 

For those interested in preparing these dishes at home, numerous online resources provide step-by-step recipes. Websites like Curry2Night, Veg Recipes of India and Indian Healthy Recipes offer detailed guides on making traditional Sankranti foods.

By exploring these options, you can enjoy the rich culinary traditions of Makar Sankranti right here in the UK.

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