Makar Sankranti and Khichdi are not just a dish, the story of our faith and fighting spirit.

News India Live, Digital Desk: As soon as half of the month of January passes, preparation of ‘Khichdi’ starts in all our homes. In many states of North India (especially UP and Bihar), this festival is called ‘Khichdi’. We take bath in Ganga, donate khichdi and also eat it with great gusto. But have you ever asked your grandmother why only Khichdi on this special day? Why not Rasgulla or Halwa?

There is a very old and heroic story hidden behind it, which is related to ‘Baba Gorakhnath’.

When there was less ration in the battlefield…
It is said that during the reign of Khilji, when the invaders were attacking the country, the yogis of the Nath sect were fighting them bravely. During that struggle, Yogi often remained hungry for several days, because he did not have time to cook food. Eating heavy food causes laziness and eating less causes weakness.

At such a time Baba Gorakhnath found a solution. He advised cooking pulses, rice and vegetables by mixing them together. This dish was quick to prepare, easy to digest and gave tremendous strength to the body. The Yogis liked this ‘Khichdi’ so much that it kept them full of energy during the struggle. To honor this teaching of Baba Gorakhnath, ‘Khichdi Fair’ started being organized in the Gorakhnath temple of Gorakhpur and even today devotees offer Khichdi there with great love.

Not only fills the stomach, it also heals the planet!
Khichdi has got the status of ‘balanced diet’ here. If seen from the point of view of astrology, there is an interesting logic behind this:

• Rice It is considered a symbol of the moon.
• urad dal Represents Saturn.
• Turmeric Is associated with Jupiter.
• Ghee Gives peace to Sun and Mars.
• vegetables It is considered close to planet Mercury.
  Meaning, a cup of khichdi is a way to balance our planets too.

Importance of that one handful of donations
On Makar Sankranti we donate the new crop. Donating black urad dal and new rice is not just a religious ritual, but a way to honor the farmer’s hard work and share his prosperity with the poor. On that day, when the stove of Khichdi given by you burns in the house of a needy person, then Makar Sankranti is truly successful only then.