In India, Sankranti means kites on the rooftops, rangoli at every doorway and kitchens that smell of jaggery and ghee for days. In Australia, it lands in the middle of summer holidays, and it can be hard to recreate. The easiest place to start is the food. This guide covers the traditional Sankranti sweets, what they mean, and how to get them in Australia in time for the festival.
When Is Sankranti 2027?
Makar Sankranti usually falls on 14 or 15 January, and in 2027 it's expected around 14–15 January. Check your family's panchangam for the exact date and timings, because they can vary depending on the calendar you follow.
In Telugu homes, the festival runs over several days:
|
Day |
Name |
What happens |
|---|---|---|
|
Day 1 |
Bhogi |
Bonfires, clearing out the old, bhogi pallu for children |
|
Day 2 |
Sankranti |
The main day: puja, new clothes, rangoli, festive lunch |
|
Day 3 |
Kanuma |
Honouring cattle and farming, family feasts |
|
Day 4 |
Mukkanuma |
Observed by some families, often with non-vegetarian food |
The festival has different names across India. It's Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Lohri the night before in Punjab, Uttarayan in Gujarat and Magh Bihu in Assam. The common thread is harvest, gratitude and plenty of sweets.
Why Are Sweets So Important at Sankranti?
Sankranti is a harvest festival. It marks the sun moving into Capricorn (Makara) and the start of longer days in India. Families give thanks for the harvest, and the easiest way to share that abundance is with food.
The key ingredients tell the story. Rice, jaggery and sesame all come from the new harvest, so Sankranti sweets are built around them. Sesame and jaggery are also considered warming foods in the Indian winter, which is why they appear in so many recipes.
In Maharashtra, people exchange til-gul (sesame and jaggery sweets) with the saying "til-gul ghya, god god bola", meaning "take this sweet and speak sweetly". It's a lovely idea: start the new season with sweetness in both food and words.
What Are the Traditional Andhra and Telangana Sankranti Sweets?
For Telugu families, Sankranti is the biggest festival of the year, and the sweet list is long. These are the classics.
Ariselu (Adhirasam)
Ariselu are round, flat sweets made from rice flour and jaggery, fried and pressed to remove the excess oil. Chewy in the middle and slightly crisp outside, they're the signature Sankranti sweet in many Andhra homes. In Tamil Nadu, the same sweet is known as adhirasam. Swagath Foods makes a version called Ghee Arisallu or Adhirasam.
Chalimidi
Chalimidi is a soft sweet made from rice flour, jaggery and ghee, flavoured with cardamom and often mixed with coconut. It's traditionally offered during pujas, and many families make it for festivals and special occasions. Swagath Foods sells chalimidi in its South Indian range.
Gavvalu
Gavvalu are small, shell-shaped sweets (gavvalu means "shells" in Telugu), fried and coated in jaggery or sugar syrup. They're crunchy, pretty and very moreish, and children love them.
Kajjikayalu
Kajjikayalu are crescent-shaped fried pastries stuffed with a sweet filling, often made with coconut, semolina or roasted gram, with sugar and cardamom. They look similar to North Indian gujiya and are a festival favourite in Telugu homes. Swagath Foods sells kajjikayalu through its Made to Order collection.
Bobbattlu
Bobbattlu (also called puran poli) are soft flatbreads stuffed with a chana dal and jaggery filling, cooked with ghee. They're served on many festive days, including Sankranti and Ugadi.
Bellam Jalebi
Not a traditional Sankranti-only sweet, but bellam jalebi, made with jaggery syrup, fits the harvest mood perfectly and is one of Swagath's most popular sweets.
Chikki
Peanut and sesame chikki, made with jaggery, are Sankranti staples across India. They're crunchy, simple and great for sharing. Swagath Foods also makes peanut chikki.
What Savoury Snacks Are Made for Sankranti?
A Telugu Sankranti isn't complete without a stack of savoury snacks. Families traditionally spend days frying them, then share them with relatives and neighbours.
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Chegodi: Crunchy rings made from rice flour, often with sesame.
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Murukku (chakralu): Spiral snacks made from rice flour and lentils.
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Karapusa: Thin, spicy sev.
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Spicy mixtures: Such as batani mixture.
You'll find many of these in Swagath Foods' namkeen and savoury range.
What About Pongal, Lohri and Other Regional Sweets?
If your family celebrates differently, here are the sweets to look for:
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Pongal (Tamil Nadu): Sakkarai pongal, a sweet dish of rice, moong dal, jaggery and ghee, cooked until it boils over, symbolising abundance.
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Lohri (Punjab): Rewri, gajak, peanuts and popcorn thrown into the bonfire and shared.
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Uttarayan (Gujarat): Chikki and til ladoo, eaten between kite battles.
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Makar Sankranti (Maharashtra): Til-gul ladoos and tilgul poli.
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Magh Bihu (Assam): Pitha (rice cakes) and laru (ladoos) made with coconut and sesame.
The ingredients change from region to region, but the spirit stays the same: harvest, gratitude and sharing.
How Do You Celebrate Sankranti in Australia?
Sankranti in Australia looks a little different. It's summer, not winter. Kids are on school holidays. Many people are back at work. But Telugu, Tamil and other Indian families keep the festival alive in creative ways.
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Rangoli (muggulu) at the front door: Many families draw muggulu with chalk or rangoli powder on their driveway or front step.
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Community events: Telugu associations in cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth often hold Sankranti celebrations with cultural programmes, food stalls and kite flying where it's allowed.
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Bhogi bonfires: Usually not possible at home because of summer fire restrictions, so many families light a lamp or diya instead.
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Festive lunch: Pulihora, pongal, garelu, vegetables in season and plenty of sweets.
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Sharing with neighbours: A plate of sweets and snacks over the fence is the easiest way to share the festival with Australian friends.
A quick safety note: January is peak bushfire season in many parts of Australia. Never light outdoor fires without checking your local fire rules, and follow total fire ban warnings.
How Do You Keep Sankranti Sweets Fresh in Australian Summer?
January is often hot, and traditional sweets made with ghee and jaggery need a little care in the heat.
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Jaggery sweets (ariselu, gavvalu, chalimidi): Store in airtight containers somewhere cool. Jaggery can turn sticky in humid weather.
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Fried pastries (kajjikayalu): Keep covered at room temperature. Avoid the fridge, which softens the pastry.
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Snacks (chegodi, murukku): Seal tightly after every use to keep them crunchy.
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Chikki: Keep airtight and away from humidity, or it softens.
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On very hot days: Move sweets to the fridge and bring them back to room temperature before serving.
When Should You Order Sankranti Sweets in Australia?
Order early. The weeks around Christmas and New Year are some of the busiest for couriers, and many businesses take a break over the holidays. January also means some staff are still on leave.
A simple guide:
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Sydney: Order by the first week of January.
-
Interstate (Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide): Order by late December or the very first days of January.
-
Made-to-order items like kajjikayalu: Order earlier and confirm availability first.
Holiday trading and shipping dates can change each year, so check the shipping policy or call Swagath Foods on (02) 8810 6323 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) to confirm dates before you plan around them. Remember, orders over $200 ship free within Australia.
What Should a Sankranti Order Look Like?
For a family celebration of 10 to 15 people, a balanced order might include:
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Two traditional sweets, such as ghee ariselu and chalimidi
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One crunchy sweet, such as gavvalu or peanut chikki
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One favourite, such as bellam jalebi or soft Mysore Pak
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Two or three savoury snacks, including chegodi and a spicy mixture
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Extra small boxes to share with neighbours and friends
It's a festival about sharing, so order a little more than you need.
What Is Bhogi Pallu, and How Can You Do It in Australia?
Bhogi pallu is a sweet Telugu tradition for young children, usually held on the evening of Bhogi. Family and friends gather, and a mix of regi pallu (Indian jujube fruit), flower petals, coins and sometimes small sweets are gently showered over the child's head. It's done to bless the child and ward off the evil eye.
Regi pallu can be hard to find in Australia. Many families use small seasonal fruit instead, such as grapes or berries, along with flower petals and coins. The meaning stays the same. Afterwards, sweets and snacks are shared with everyone who came, so it's worth having extra boxes of ariselu, gavvalu and chegodi ready.
How Can You Make Sankranti Fun for Kids in Australia?
Kids growing up in Australia might not experience Sankranti the way their parents did, so a little effort goes a long way.
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Let them help with muggulu. Chalk on the driveway is easy and fun.
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Fly a kite at the park. Choose an open space and avoid power lines.
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Tell the story of the harvest. Explain why rice, jaggery and sesame matter.
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Give them a sweet-making job. Even rolling a few ladoos or arranging sweets on a plate helps them feel part of it.
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Share with their friends. A small box of gavvalu or chikki to share at a holiday play date is a great way to introduce the festival.
What Makes a Good Sankranti Gift Box?
If you're visiting family or sending a gift, a Sankranti box should feel like the harvest. Try this mix:
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One jaggery sweet: Ghee ariselu or chalimidi
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One crunchy sweet: Gavvalu or peanut chikki
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One savoury snack: Chegodi or murukku
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A handwritten note: "Sankranti subhakankshalu", Telugu for Sankranti wishes
Keep it simple and traditional. For many Telugu families living far from home, a box like this is a small taste of their childhood festival.
Can You Celebrate Sankranti If You're New to Australia?
Yes, and many newcomers find Sankranti one of the best ways to meet other families. Telugu and Tamil community associations in most capital cities organise celebrations, and they're usually welcoming to people who've just arrived. Bring a box of sweets to share, introduce yourself and let the kids join the games.
If there isn't an event near you, start small. Draw a muggulu at your door, cook one festive dish, light a diya and share a plate of sweets with a neighbour. Festivals abroad are often quieter than back home, but they can be just as meaningful. And each year, your own family tradition in Australia grows a little stronger.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Sankranti in 2027?
Makar Sankranti in 2027 is expected around 14–15 January. In Telugu homes, the celebration usually includes Bhogi the day before and Kanuma the day after. Check your family's panchangam for the exact date and timings.
What sweets are made for Sankranti?
Traditional Sankranti sweets include ariselu (adhirasam), chalimidi, gavvalu, kajjikayalu, bobbattlu and sesame or peanut chikki. They're usually made with rice flour, jaggery, sesame and ghee from the new harvest.
Why are jaggery and sesame used in Sankranti sweets?
Jaggery and sesame come from the winter harvest in India, and they're considered warming foods. Sankranti celebrates the harvest, so sweets made with these ingredients symbolise abundance and gratitude.
Where can I buy Sankranti sweets in Australia?
Swagath Foods in Pendle Hill, Sydney makes traditional South Indian sweets such as ghee ariselu, chalimidi, gavvalu, kajjikayalu and bellam jalebi, and delivers across Australia. Orders over $200 ship free.
When should I order Sankranti sweets for delivery?
Order by late December for interstate delivery and by the first week of January for Sydney. Courier networks are busy over the holidays, so check the shop's shipping dates before planning around them.
Start the New Season Sweetly
Sankranti in Australia may come with sunshine instead of winter chill, but the heart of the festival is the same. Share good food, thank the harvest and speak sweetly.
Browse Swagath Foods' South Indian sweets and namkeen range, or call (02) 8810 6323 to plan your Sankranti order.
