Embrace The Festive Spirit: Pongal And Makar Sankranti Decoration Ideas

by Ashish Rai | January 4, 2024 | 6 mins read

Makar sankranti decoration ideas for your home

Check out some Sankranti decoration ideas to liven up your home with the spirit of this Harvest Festival. Apart from the traditional ways, there are several other ways to decorate your home for Pongal or Makar Sankranti. Check out some ideas to enliven your home.

The sun signifies knowledge, spiritual light and wisdom. Makar Sankranti signifies we must turn away from the darkness of delusion in which we live, and begin to joyously let the light within us shine brighter and brighter. We should gradually begin to grow in purity, wisdom, and knowledge, even as the sun does from this day. – Swami Vivekananda

The month of January is graced by two auspicious festivals –  Sankranti and Pongal, both of which are celebrated by Hindus across India with much fervour and festivity. On this day, families get together to decorate their homes so that it looks beautiful and festive. We have a list of ideas to prepare your home for this Pongal and Sankranti with traditional yet unique decor.

A Colourful Rangoli For Pongal Decoration In The Entryway

Rangolis are a universal decor idea for any Indian festival. Use your creativity to come up with out-of-the-box rangoli designs for Pongal at your home entrance and other prominent areas of your home, like the pooja or living room; if you are an expert in making Kolam, then try your hand at some innovative designs and outshine your neighbours. You can make animal or flower rangolis or mix and match to give it a true Pongal vibe.

Makar Sankranti decoration ideas with out-of-the-box rangoli designs
Colourful rangolis for Makar Sankranti and Pongal decoration

Indoor Sankranti Decoration Ideas For Indian Apartments

Not everyone lives in big bungalows with sprawling lawns to decorate. Several urban dwellers reside in apartments in towns and cities. But indoor decoration can be as inviting as those done outdoors. Decorate your living room with long sugarcanes with leaves, and clay pots that signify boiling of rice with milk and jaggery. You don’t need to have a large balcony or garden to celebrate Sankranti or Pongal. All you need are the right elements to decorate your home interiors with much enthusiasm.

Makar Sankranti indoor decoration ideas for an apartment
An apartment decorated with traditional Pongal/Sankranti decoration
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A Leafy Affair To Make Your Pongal Decoration Extra Special

Pongal and Sankranti is the celebration of prosperity, which makes the central colour theme green.  An important Pongal ritual is to weave mango leaves and hang them at the entrance of your home. Mango leaves are auspicious and symbolise joy. For an eco-friendly look, invest in handmade paper decorations so they stand out from the rest. 

Makar Sankranti decorations at home with mango leaves at the entrance
Use leaves for auspicious Pongal decoration at home

Glow Up Your Sankranti Decoration At Home With Light

Traditionally, Pongal and Sankranti are all about nature and green (banana leaves, mango leaves, sugarcane). However, if you want to add a contemporary feel to the decorations, hang string lights in the living room and balconies. Paper lanterns are another way to add charm to your living space. Some DIY you can do is make lamps from bottles, egg carton lamps, sea shells lights or recycled lanterns using old saucer and jam jars.

Makar Sankranti decoration at home by hanging beautiful lanterns
Hang colourful lanterns as Sankranti decoration at home

Dress Your Dining Table To Match With Your Makar Sankranti Decoration

Makar Sankranti and Pongal are festivals most remembered for delicacies prepared on the day. Your dining table needs to look ready for the occasion. Serve those savouries on banana leaves to your guests. Sweets and snacks can also be served on gold- and silver-plated bowls or trays. Add diyas and exquisite eye-catching candle holders to make your dining table look luxuriously festive.

Makar Sankranti decoration ideas for dining table to match the rest of the decor
Add festive charm to your dining table with Makar Sankranti decoration

The Kite Craft For Sankranti Theme Decoration

Kites of paper crafts are another colourful and vibrant decor idea for home on these festivals. Encourage your children to make them or even try their hand at wall hangings as beautiful decorations. Paper-made butterflies, flowers, or more make for interesting decor. Opt for eye-catching murals or wallpapers for that extra spark to your home interiors. Kites are also available in all shapes and sizes in the market too. So if you have balcony space, string them for a glamorous decoration outside your home. Colour any flower or cook with designs of flowers or sugarcane for an authentic look.

Makar sankranti decoration ideas with colourful kites of paper crafts
Colourful kites for Sankranthi theme decoration

While most of us do not have the liberty of time to decorate our homes on festive days like our grandparents did back in the day, these tips will get you close. These home interior decoration ideas for Pongal or Sankranti will help you celebrate with pomp and show. We at DesignCafe understand the importance of home interiors and decor. We hope the above ideas will help you decorate your house and celebrate Pongal or Sankranti in the most authentic way possible.

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FAQs On Makar Sankranti Decoration

How can I decorate my home for Sankranti?
Decorate your home with colourful kites, marigold strings, sugarcane displays, and earthenware in living spaces and balconies to capture the festive spirit.

How can I incorporate traditional elements like Rangoli in Sankranti decorations?
Use coloured rice, flower petals, or Rangoli decals to create intricate designs at doorsteps or in the courtyard, adding a traditional touch.

Are there specific themes for Sankranti decorations?
Themes for Sankranti decorations often focus on harvest, abundance, or kite festival joy, featuring motifs like the sun, birds, crops, and vibrant kite patterns.

Can you suggest Sankranti decoration ideas for a small apartment or limited space?
Hang paper kites, create small Rangoli near entrances, and use corners for terracotta pots with flowers while utilising vertical spaces for hanging decorations.

What are some trendy or modern Sankranti decoration ideas?
Blend tradition and modernity with metallic kite wall hangings, minimalist Rangoli decals, or fusion decor combining traditional elements with contemporary designs.

Can you suggest easy DIY Sankranti decorations?
Simple DIY activities like crafting colourful kites, paper-made butterflies, and wall hangings to create charming home decorations for Sankranti, adding a personalised touch to your festive decor.

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Ashish Rai is a content writer at Design Cafe home interiors blog.

Ashish Rai

Ashish Rai is a content writer at DesignCafe and believes that words have the power to change the world! He comes with five years of experience and has experimented with various roles including sales, a tourist guide, and ran a tattoo parlour too!

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