Arasavalli Suryanarayana Temple
Near Srikakulam border belt, this ancient Surya temple draws Sankranti pilgrims. Telangana families travelling coastal routes stop for special Surya puja on Makar Sankranti.
Book pandits in Suryapet →Pausha/Magha (Jan) · Telangana · Andhra Pradesh
Makar Sankranti
Harvest gratitude — Bhogi bonfires, kite flying, and family feasts.
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Festival guide
About Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti celebrates the sun's transition into Capricorn and the harvest season. Telugu families observe Bhogi, Kanuma, and Mukkanuma with bonfires, kite flying, and special dishes.
Purpose
Sankranti honours Surya Devata and the harvest that sustains the community. Bhogi symbolises discarding the old; Kanuma venerates cattle that plough the fields; Mukkanuma celebrates abundance through shared feasts. The festival strengthens family bonds and gratitude toward nature and the divine.
Sankranti is a four-day festival in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Bhogi on the first day involves discarding old items in a bonfire. Kanuma honours cattle, and Mukkanuma is a day of feasting with family.
Kite flying fills the skies, and ellu-bella (sesame-jaggery mix) is exchanged with neighbours. Many families book pandits for harvest gratitude puja or Lakshmi worship at home.
Origins & heritage
History of Makar Sankranti
How this festival evolved across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Makar Sankranti is one of the oldest Hindu festivals, referenced in the Mahabharata and Puranas as a day when Bhishma chose to leave his mortal body. In the Deccan, harvest festivals merged with solar worship under Kakatiya and Reddy rulers who patronised village temple fairs.
Telugu Bhogi bonfire traditions derive from the legend of discarding old possessions to welcome prosperity. Kite flying became popular during the Nizam era in Hyderabad when rooftop competitions drew neighbourhoods together on Sankranti morning.
Kanuma and Mukkanuma preserve agrarian customs as Telangana and Andhra urbanised — even apartment dwellers in Gachibowli and Visakhapatnam maintain ellu-bella exchange and cattle-feeding charity on Kanuma.
Devotee guide
What you should do
Practical steps for families observing Makar Sankranti.
- Light a Bhogi bonfire on the eve and discard old wooden items and clutter symbolically
- Draw colourful muggulu (rangoli) with rice flour at the entrance
- Fly kites on Sankranti morning and share ellu-bella (sesame-jaggery mix) with neighbours
- Prepare ariselu, sakinalu, and chakkara pongal as festive naivedyam
- Worship cattle on Kanuma — bathe cows, decorate horns, and offer fresh grass
- Cook a family feast on Mukkanuma — many Andhra households prepare non-vegetarian dishes
- Donate food, clothes, or money to those in need as part of daanam
- Book a pandit for harvest gratitude puja or Lakshmi homam if desired
Day by day
How the festival unfolds
The typical sequence of rituals and events during this festival.
- 01
Bhogi eve: Collect old items, light bonfire at dawn, apply castor-oil bath, and prepare for three-day celebrations
- 02
Sankranti day: Sunrise kite flying, ellu-bella exchange, special lunch with pulihora and sweet pongal
- 03
Kanuma: Cattle worship at farms or community goshalas; vegetarian meals in many Telangana homes
- 04
Mukkanuma: Grand family feast, visiting relatives, and closing harvest celebrations
- 05
Throughout: Temple visits to local Surya or Shiva shrines; charity at village tanks and temples
Temples & towns
Sacred places & local importance
Temples and cities where this festival holds special significance.
Hyderabad Old City rooftops
Historic kite-flying competitions span Charminar, Old City, and Secunderabad terraces. Community leaders organise prizes for the longest-flying kites on Sankranti morning.
Book pandits in Hyderabad →Guntur and Krishna delta villages
The Krishna-Godavari delta celebrates Kanuma with decorated bullock carts and village processions. Guntur families maintain harvest puja traditions before the Rabi crop cycle ends.
Book pandits in Guntur →Traditions & rituals
Observances during Makar Sankranti
Common rituals, samagri, and practices families follow.
- Bhogi bonfire — discarding old belongings symbolically
- Kite flying on rooftops and open grounds
- Ellu-bella and ariselu preparation and sharing
- Kanuma — cattle worship and feeding
- Mukkanuma family feast with non-vegetarian dishes in many households
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Common questions
Booking pandits for Makar Sankranti
Can I book a pandit for Makar Sankranti on Divine Center?
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Yes. Divine Center connects families in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh with verified Acharyas for Makar Sankranti observances — doorstep puja at home or online for relatives abroad.
How early should I book a pandit for Makar Sankranti?
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Festival weeks see high demand. We recommend booking one to two weeks ahead for Makar Sankranti so you can confirm muhurat, samagri, and your preferred Acharya.
Is online puja available for Makar Sankranti?
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Yes. Online ceremonies via video call are available for NRIs and families who cannot arrange in-person rituals. Your pandit guides samagri prep and mantras live.
What is the starting price for Makar Sankranti puja booking?
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Services on Divine Center start from ₹300 depending on ritual, duration, and pandit experience. Pricing is transparent before you pay.
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