Makar Sankranti 2026
Makar Sankranti - 2026
The festival of Makar Sankranti was celebrated with great enthusiasm in Kraków, Poland on 24 January by the Marathi community. For the past three years, this festival has been celebrated consecutively by around 30 Marathi women, who come together every year to preserve their culture, traditions, and sense of belonging even while living abroad.
To ensure that everyone could participate comfortably, it was decided to celebrate the festival on a Sunday. The Multicultural Center in Kraków kindly provided their hall for the gathering. It was particularly noteworthy that all participants arrived punctually at the scheduled time, reflecting the enthusiasm and commitment of the group.
Celebration Highlights
- Around 30 Marathi women living in Kraków came together to celebrate Makar Sankranti, continuing a tradition that has been followed for the past three consecutive years.
- The celebration was organized on a Sunday to ensure that everyone could participate conveniently.
- The Multicultural Center in Kraków generously provided its hall for the event.
- The program began with fun and interactive games, creating a lively and joyful atmosphere among participants.
- A variety of games were played, ranging from traditional group games to modern ones, including the popular “Red Light – Green Light” game inspired by Squid Game.
- The games helped participants momentarily forget their daily routines, responsibilities, and stress, allowing them to simply enjoy the moment together.
- A special highlight of the event was the traditional exchange of “Vaan”, where each participant brought a small gift item and exchanged it through fun activities and games.
- This exchange added warmth, bonding, and a sense of community to the celebration.
- Instead of a full meal, the organizers arranged hot samosas and everyone’s favorite tea, which added a comforting and homely touch to the gathering.
- The celebration concluded with group photos, reels, and memorable moments, capturing the joy of the occasion.
Traditional Significance
- Makar Sankranti is one of the most important festivals celebrated in Maharashtra.
- The festival marks the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign Capricorn (Makara) and symbolizes the beginning of longer and brighter days.
- It represents new beginnings, positivity, prosperity, and hope for the coming year.
- Traditionally, people exchange sweets made from sesame seeds (til) and jaggery (gul).
- While exchanging these sweets, people greet each other with the phrase “Tilgul ghya, god god bola”, which means “Take this sweet and speak sweetly.”
- The festival encourages sweetness in relationships, kindness in speech, and harmony within the community.
- Even while living far away from India, the Marathi community in Kraków continues to preserve and celebrate their cultural traditions, keeping their roots and identity alive.
Photo Gallery
Makar Sankranti community celebration in Krakow
Makar Sankranti Hardik Shubhechha!