Makar Sankranti also known as Pongal in southern India is a festival that is celebrated by Hindus and Buddhists. It’s observed when the Sun transitions from the zodiac Sagittarius to Capricorn and marks a new beginning. Dedicated to the Sun God Surya, it is primarily a harvest festival.
The Makar Sankranti celebrations include kite flying, bonfires, fairs, Surya and gau poojas, arts dancing, and plenty of socializing. Many devotees go to sacred rivers or lakes and take a dip in the water in a ritual that gives thanks to the Sun God for all their successes and prosperity. It is believed that bathing in these sacred waters absolves a person of their past sins. The core value of this holiday though is Thanksgiving.
Significance of gifting during Makar Sankranti
Gift-giving is an integral part of Indian culture and festive celebrations. The same is true for Makar Sankranti. Some Makar Sankranti traditions include exchanging sweets and food and gifting traditional clothing and decorative items. This Sankranti let’s put a little eco-friendly spin on the traditional celebrations and express our love and gratitude to Mother Earth.
In today’s world environmental concerns like pollution and climate change are at the forefront of human existence. This year has recorded never-before-seen temperatures, extreme weather events, and unprecedented storms that give undeniable evidence of the global environmental catastrophe.
India and its population are at the epicenter of the war against climate change. As Indians, we need to be more conscious of our everyday actions and their impact on the planet.
Why you should Choose an Eco-Friendly Makar Sankranti
Natural disasters like floods, droughts, and intense storms are affecting millions of people across the world. We are witnessing the impact of global warming in real time. Therefore, there is an urgent need to reduce waste, conserve resources, and promote sustainability.
We need to address these issues and reflect upon the significant effect our mindless actions have on our planet. By incorporating sustainable practices into our traditional values and practices we can make a positive difference on our planet.
Choosing eco-friendly gifts not only adds a meaningful and personal touch it also supports a greener lifestyle.
Eco-Friendly Gifting ideas
Popular Eco-Friendly Gift items for Makar Sankranti
Once you’ve got your gifts sorted then you can move on to wrapping them up in eco-friendly or sustainable packaging.
How to Package Your Eco-Friendly Gifts
- Use of biodegradable or reusable packaging: Jute, cotton, or reusable gift wraps.
- Avoid plastic: Alternatives like paper, cardboard boxes, or even repurposed fabrics.
- Personalize with minimalism: Handwritten notes, natural twine, or recycled paper cards.
Conclusion
Make a meaningful shift in your celebrations this Makar Sankranti. Put a green spin on your traditional practices by using eco-friendly and sustainable items for your festive decorations and opting for sustainable gifts.
Make or buy locally sourced organic food items and step up your gifting game by switching to items that are not only kind to the earth but also contribute to making it better. Let's leave our environment better than we found it. Challenge yourself to make thoughtful and conscious decisions for the planet.
Check out our Sustainable Gifts here:
