Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival celebrated to mark the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makara). It holds cultural, religious, and astronomical significance across India. In the state of Odisha, one of the unique aspects of Makar Sankranti is the special dish known as “Makara Chaula.” The preparation and consumption of Makara Chaula have its own importance and symbolism:
Makara Chaula is prepared during the Makara Sankranti festival in Orissa. The rice used is preferably from the fresh harvest. There are slight variations in the ingredients depending on the regions.
- Makara Chaula Preparation:
- Makara Chaula is a dish made with newly harvested rice, which is a key component signifying the agricultural aspect of the festival. The use of freshly harvested rice symbolizes prosperity and abundance.
- Ingredients:
- Makara Chaula typically includes ingredients such as newly harvested rice, jaggery (unrefined sugar), coconut, sesame seeds, banana, khai (popped rice), and various fruits. The combination of these ingredients varies, and people often add their own regional variations to the dish.
- Symbolism:
- The ingredients used in Makara Chaula carry symbolic meanings. For example, rice symbolizes fertility and prosperity, jaggery represents sweetness and joy, coconut signifies purity and auspiciousness, sesame seeds are associated with health and well-being, and bananas represent fertility.
- Offerings to the Lord Jagannath:
- Makara Chaula is often prepared as an offering to the Lord Jagannath, It is a way of seeking blessings for a bountiful harvest and a prosperous year ahead.
- Cultural Significance:
- The dish is an integral part of the cultural celebrations during Makar Sankranti in Odisha. Families come together to prepare Makara Chaula and share it with friends and neighbors, fostering a sense of community and unity.
- Seasonal Connection:
- Makara Chaula is prepared using ingredients that are abundant during the winter season. The festival, with its focus on new harvests and the changing position of the sun, is a way of acknowledging the seasonal transitions and the importance of agriculture in people’s lives.
- Sweetness and Auspiciousness:
- The sweetness of Makara Chaula is symbolic of the joy and sweetness that people wish to experience in the coming year. The dish is considered auspicious and is shared with loved ones to spread joy and goodwill.
Prepare the special masala by grinding 10 black pepper, 5 choti elaichi, and 2 badi elaichi into a coarse powder, setting it aside. Begin by washing and soaking 1/2 cup of white raw rice for 2-3 hours, followed by cooking the rice until each grain is separate. Peel and chop small sugarcane pieces into bite-sized portions, and similarly chop fruits (pomegranate, apple, cherry, orange, ripe banana). Mix 5 raisins and 5 raw cashew nuts.
After draining the soaked rice, grind it into a rough (daradara) paste. In a large mixing bowl, combine the rice paste with grated coconut, sugarcane pieces, powdered sugar, khoya, pepper powder, chenna, grated ginger, fruits, raisins, and cashew nuts. Mix this concoction thoroughly.
Next, add the special masala to the mixture, incorporating camphor for enhanced fragrance. Your Makara Chaula is now ready to be consumed as bhog or prasad, offering a delightful blend of flavors and textures that capture the essence of the festive occasion.
