Pongal and Makar Sankranti are two major harvest festivals celebrated across India, marking the end of winter and the beginning of a new agricultural season. While both festivals honour the Sun's journey northward and are celebrated with gratitude and joy, they have distinct traditions and celebrations.
Why Is Pongal Celebrated As A Symbol Of Abundance?
Primarily observed in Tamil Nadu, Pongal is a four-day festival honouring the harvest, especially rice. One key ritual involves boiling fresh rice with milk and jaggery in a traditional clay pot, symbolizing prosperity and a bountiful harvest. Homes are decorated with vibrant ‘kolams’ or rangoli designs, and the festivities include feasts, folk dances, and cultural performances.
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Why Is Makar Sankranti Called A Festival of Joy?
Marking the sun’s transition into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makar Sankranti is popular for its kite-flying traditions, especially in Punjab, Gujarat, and Rajasthan, where colorful kite battles occur. The festival also involves eating sesame seeds, jaggery, and sweets, believed to bring warmth and energy for the coming year.
Pongal and Sankranti are incomplete without delicious traditional foods. Both are celebrated with abundant feasts, where rice-based dishes take center stage. Among the popular dishes, Pongal is made in both sweet (Sakkara Pongal) and savory (Ven Pongal) variations. Here is a simple and delicious recipe for Horse Gram Khichdi (also known as Kulthi Dal Khichdi), a nutritious dish made using horse gram, rice, and spices. This Horse Gram Khichdi recipe is an equally healthy and flavourful dish perfect for these celebrations
Horse Gram/Kulath Dal Khichdi
Ingredients:
- 1 cup horse gram
- 1 cup rice
- Onion – 1 finely chopped onion
- 1 tsp ginger and garlic paste or both freshly grated
- 2 chopped green chilies
- 3 chopped tomatoes
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- Turmeric powder to taste
- Red chili powder to taste
- a pinch of asafoetida
- Salt to taste
- Clarified butter/ ghee as per taste
- 4 cups water
- Fresh coriander, grated carrot, and grated radish for garnish
Method
- Wash the horse gram thoroughly. Soak overnight
- In a pressure cooker, cook the horse gram until it becomes soft and cooked.
- In another pressure cooker, cook until the rice is soft, and keep it aside
- Heat oil or ghee in a pan
- Add cumin seeds, asafoetida, and the mustard seeds
- Once the mustard seeds splutter add the chopped onions
- Sauté until the onions turn golden brown and add the tomatoes
- Add the ginger-garlic paste and chopped green chilies. Sauté until fragrant
- Sprinkle turmeric powder and red chili powder. Stir well.
- Combine rice, horse gram, and tempering:
- Once the rice and horse gram are cooked, add them to the tempering mixture in the pan
- Add salt to taste and mix well
- Add the water depending on how thick you want the khichdi and cook on low heat for about ten minutes
- Garnish with fresh coriander leaves, grated radish and carrot yogurt, and pickle
- Enjoy your healthy and comforting horse gram khichdi!
Nutrition
This nutritious khichdi is a perfect dish for Pongal and Makar Sankranti because it celebrates the harvest season by using horse gram. This traditional ingredient is rich in protein and ideal for winter. It’s filling, healthy, and easy to prepare, making it an excellent choice for family meals during these festivals.
(This content is reviewed by Kalyani Krishna, Chief Content Editor)
Author Profile: Preeti Sharma
Preeti Sharma has a Master's in Electronic Media and Mass Communication and certification in short-term writing from Florida. With close to a decade of experience, she specializes in crafting engaging blogs on beauty, veterinary care, and healthy cooking. Preeti is proficient in video editing tools and produces captivating and informative content across multiple platforms.
