• Sweet Pongal (Chakkara Pongal) – Rice, jaggery, ghee, cashews, cardamom

• Pulihora (Tamarind Rice) – Rice, tamarind, mustard seeds, curry leaves, chilies

• Vegetable Kurma or Kootu – Seasonal vegetables, coconut, spices

• Sambar – Toor dal, tamarind, vegetables, sambar powder

• Rasam – Tamarind juice, tomatoes, pepper, garlic

• Vada – Urad dal, spices, deep-fried

• Curd rice – Rice mixed with fresh curd, tempered with mustard & curry leaves

• Appadam/Papad

• Pickles & Banana Chips

• Payasam (Kheer) – Vermicelli, milk, cardamom, dry fruits

• Served with banana leaf, ghee, and buttermilk

• Balanced meal with carbs, protein, fiber, and healthy fats

• Fermented items like curd aid digestion

• Use of traditional spices enhances immunity

• Seasonal vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals

• Jaggery and ghee offer warmth and energy during winter

Sankranti, celebrated across India as a harvest festival, marks the sun’s transition into Makara Rashi (Capricorn). In South India, it is a time of family gatherings and thanksgiving to nature. The Bhojanam served during this time is symbolic of prosperity and community. Each dish has a cultural significance – for example, sweet Pongal represents sweetness in life, while tamarind rice symbolizes tangy balance. Passed down through generations, this festive meal is a culinary reflection of joy, gratitude, and tradition.