Jayati Bhatia shares why Makar Sankranti is close to her heart

Jayati Bhatia, who plays Sharda in Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile, recently spoke about what Makar Sankranti means to her and why the festival holds deep personal value. She said, “Makar Sankranti is also known as Posh Sankranti or Uttarayan, marking the time when the sun changes its direction. It holds a very special place in my heart because it signifies the beginning of auspicious times. As they say, all good things can begin then, weddings can take place, and positivity sets in. This makes Posh Sankranti especially exciting for me.” For Jayati, the festival is not just a date on the calendar but a time that represents new beginnings, hope, and good energy.

She also shared how January is filled with special memories because of different festivals celebrated in her family. “The 13th of January is Lohri and having grown up in Delhi in a Punjabi family, Lohri was always very important to us,” she said. Along with Lohri, Posh Sankranti is equally close to her heart because of her Bengali roots. This mix of cultures made the festival season even more meaningful during her childhood.

Makar Sankranti is also known as Posh Sankranti or Uttarayan, marking the time when the sun changes its direction. It holds a very special place in my heart because it signifies the beginning of auspicious times

- Jayati Bhatia

Kite Flying and New Memories in Mumbai

As life moved on and Jayati shifted to Mumbai, the meaning of Uttarayan changed slightly but remained special. “Later, when I grew up and moved to Mumbai, Uttarayan became special in a different way,” she said. After Sankranti, kite flying became an important part of her celebrations. “After Sankranti, we would enjoy patang (kite) flying. I would sit on the terrace with my brother, help him with the charkhi, or pass him the kanni while he flew the kites,” Jayati recalled.

These simple moments with her brother brought her great happiness. “Those moments were incredibly joyful,” she said. For Jayati, all these memories together are what make the festival so meaningful. “All of this makes Posh Sankranti and Makar Sankranti hold a very special place in my life,” she concluded.

Memories of Sweets and Family Traditions

Talking about her childhood, Jayati recalled how her home would be filled with delicious smells during Posh Sankranti. “On this day, my mother would make Puli Pitha or Patishapta, along with many delicious sweets prepared using gur,” she said. One ingredient that made these sweets special was Nolen Gur. “Nolen Gur, which is made from date palm (khajoor), is particularly special as it is available only during the winter season,” Jayati explained. The sweets made at home used khajoor ka gur, along with milk and coconut, which gave them a rich, warm taste.

She also remembered how til ke laddoos were an important part of the celebrations. “We would also make til ke laddoos, especially black sesame laddoos mixed with gur,” she shared. For her, the best part was not just eating these treats but watching her mother prepare them with love. “Growing up, it was always so exciting to look forward to these homemade treats prepared lovingly by my mother,” Jayati added.