Makar Sankranti is another festival celebrated throughout India with special importance in Karnataka. This harvest festival marks a time when the sun moves into Makara Rashi, or Capricorn, heralding prosperity and new beginnings. The most noticeable aspect of celebrating the Sankranti festival in Karnataka is the preparation and sharing of traditional sweets. These sweets are usually prepared using jaggery, sesame seeds, coconut, and lentils and add a flavorful taste to the celebrations and are also cultural and symbolic in their sense. In this blog, we take you through some of the best Sankranti sweets from Karnataka along with their recipes and more.

Best Sankranti Sweets Karnataka

Sankranti sweets of Karnataka are known for their rich flavors and traditional recipes passed down through generations. Here are 10 iconic sweets that define the festive spirit:

1. Ellu Bella

Ellu Bella is an interesting mix of sesame seeds, jaggery, coconut, roasted peanuts, and fried gram. This sweet is exchanged among family and friends by saying “Ellu Bella thindu, olle maathu aadi” (Eat sesame and jaggery and speak good words), promoting harmony and positivity.

2. Sakkare Achu

These intricately designed sugar figurines, shaped like animals, flowers, stars, and traditional symbols, are crafted using special molds. Sakkare Achu is not just a sweet but also a cultural delight, as it adds vibrancy to Sankranti celebrations. The glossy, white sugar candy is especially loved by children, who eagerly collect and enjoy these delicate, handcrafted treats. It is often exchanged among families as part of the festival’s symbolic sweetness-sharing tradition.

3. Kajjaya

A deep-fried sweet prepared from rice flour, jaggery, and cardamom, Kajjaya has a unique texture crispy on the outside and soft inside. The jaggery caramelization gives it a rich, golden-brown hue, enhancing its taste and aroma. This traditional Karnataka sweet is a staple at festive gatherings, especially during Sankranti and Deepavali, where families prepare it in large batches to share with loved ones.

Related : Sankranti Special Food Items in Maharashtra

4. Obbattu (Holige)

Obbattu, also known as Holige or Puran Poli, is a thin, flaky flatbread stuffed with a sweet filling made from chana dal, coconut, and jaggery. The dough, made from wheat or refined flour, is kneaded to perfection, then rolled out and cooked on a hot griddle with generous amounts of ghee. Some variations also include a kayi holige (coconut filling) or toor dal stuffing, making it a versatile festive treat. Its rich, buttery taste and soft-yet-crispy texture make it a must-have during Sankranti celebrations.

5. Rava Ladoo

These golden, melt-in-the-mouth ladoos are made from roasted semolina (rava), sugar, ghee, and fragrant cardamom. Rava Ladoo is one of the quickest and simplest festive sweets, yet its taste is indulgent and nostalgic. The addition of cashews and raisins sautéed in ghee enhances its richness, making it a favorite among children and elders alike. It is commonly prepared for Sankranti, Ganesh Chaturthi, and Diwali, filling homes with its warm, sweet aroma.

6. Coconut Burfi

Coconut Burfi is a simple yet irresistible treat made from freshly grated coconut, sugar, and cardamom. The coconut’s natural sweetness and chewy texture, combined with the richness of ghee, create a delightful melt-in-the-mouth experience. Some variations include condensed milk or khoya for extra creaminess, while saffron and nuts are added for a richer taste. This fragrant, bite-sized delicacy is an essential part of Karnataka’s Sankranti festivities, enjoyed with family and guests.

7. Shenga Chikki

This crunchy and nutty brittle, made from roasted peanuts and caramelized jaggery, is not just delicious but also packed with protein and energy. Shenga Chikki is a classic winter treat, as jaggery provides warmth to the body during colder months. The perfect balance of sweetness and crunch makes it a go-to snack during Sankranti celebrations, often enjoyed with a hot cup of chai. Some variations also include sesame seeds or almonds for an added layer of flavor and nutrition.

8. Dry Fruit Ladoo

A power-packed sweet, Dry Fruit Ladoo combines the goodness of dates, almonds, cashews, walnuts, and jaggery to create a nutrient-rich, naturally sweet delicacy. Unlike traditional sweets, these ladoos do not require refined sugar, making them a healthier choice during festivals. The soft and chewy texture, along with the crunch of nuts, makes them a delightful festive treat. These ladoos are not only enjoyed during Sankranti but also prepared as an energy-boosting snack for kids and elders.

9. Pineapple Kesari Bath

A delicious twist to the traditional Kesari Bath, this variation includes fresh pineapple chunks, adding a fruity burst of flavor to the semolina-based dessert. Cooked with ghee, sugar, and saffron, Pineapple Kesari Bath has a rich aroma and vibrant golden color, making it a visually appealing and tasty dish. It is commonly served as prasad in temples and is a highlight of Karnataka’s Sankranti feast, loved by both children and adults.

10. Mysore Pak

A legendary Karnataka sweet, Mysore Pak is known for its buttery, melt-in-the-mouth texture and rich ghee-infused flavor. Made from gram flour, sugar, and an abundance of pure ghee, this delicacy has a crumbly yet soft consistency that makes it irresistible. Created in the royal kitchens of Mysore, this sweet is now a festival staple enjoyed during Sankranti, Diwali, and special occasions. The traditional version is slightly dense, while the soft Mysore Pak variant has a fudge-like texture that simply dissolves in the mouth.

Sankranti Sweets Karnataka Recipe

Here are 10 simple recipes to prepare Karnataka’s Sankranti sweets at home:

1.Ellu Bella

Ingredients: Sesame seeds, jaggery, roasted peanuts, fried gram, coconut.

Method:

1. Roast sesame seeds till golden
2. Chop jaggery and coconut into small pieces
3. Mix all the ingredients well and serve

2. Sakkare Achu

Ingredients: Sugar, moulds, milk.

Method:

1. Dissolve sugar in water and boil to one string consistency
2. Add milk to remove impurities and pour into the moulds
3. Allow it to set and unmold

3. Kajjaya

Ingredients: Rice flour, jaggery, water, oil.

Method:

1. Boil jaggery in water, and mix with rice flour to prepare dough.
2.  give shape in disc form, and deep fry, until golden brown colour.

4. Obbattu (Holige)

Ingredients: Wheat flour, chana dal, jaggery, ghee.

1. Take wheat flour in a vessel. Add water to it to knead the dough.
2. Cook the chana dal, mix jaggery and grind it in a paste form.
3. Stuff this dough with a filling, roll it, and cook it on the griddle, greased with ghee.

5. Rava Ladoo

Ingredients: Semolina, sugar, ghee, cardamom. 

Method:

1. Roast semolina in ghee till fragrant.
2. Mix with powdered sugar and cardamom.
3. Shape into ladoos.

6. Coconut Burfi

Ingredients: Coconut, sugar, cardamom.

 Method:

1. Cook grated coconut and sugar till it thickens.
2. Add cardamom, spread on a plate, and cut into squares.

7. Shenga Chikki

Ingredients: Peanuts, jaggery.

 Method:

1. Roast peanuts and remove skins.
2. Melt jaggery to a hard-ball consistency.
3. Mix peanuts with jaggery and spread to set.

8. Dry Fruit Ladoo

Ingredients: Dates, almonds, cashews, jaggery. 

Method:

1. Tread dates and nuts into a fine paste.
2. Stuff into ladoo.

9. Pineapple Kesari Bath

Ingredients: Semolina, pineapple, sugar, ghee. 

Method:

1. roast semolina in ghee.
2. add pineapple puree, sugar, and water. 
3. cook till the mixture is thick.

10. Mysore Pak

Ingredients: Gram flour, ghee, sugar.

 Method:

1. Boil Sugar with water  to form  syrup
2. Put gram flour slowly and ghee in it 
3. Pour inside the greased Tray and cut accordingly.

Conclusion

Karnataka Sankranti is more than just a festival; it’s a show of tradition, culture, and flavour. This wide array of sweets made during the period not only adds to the festive zest but also fortifies the bonds as they are shared with family and friends. Whether crunchy shenga chikki, soft kajjaya, or rich Mysore Pak-this all speaks to the great side of Karnataka’s culinary heritage. Try these recipes at home to make your Sankranti celebration even more special.

FAQs

Q1. What do sweets represent in Karnataka Sankranti?

Ans:- Sweets represent prosperity, happiness, and the spirit of sharing on this harvest festival.

Q2. Which sweet dominates Karnataka Sankranti?

Ans:- Ellu Bella is the most popular sweet to come with Sankranti in Karnataka.

Q3. How hard is it to prepare them?

Ans:- Most of them are quite simple to make, with minimal ingredients and basic preparations.

Q4. Can these sweets be prepared vegan?

Ans:- Yes, many of the sweets such as Ellu Bella and Shenga Chikki can be prepared vegan by abstaining from ghee.

Q5. How long do these sweets last?

Ans:- Chikki and Kajjaya Sweets can last for a period of 1-2 weeks when stored well.

Q6. Where can I purchase Sankranti sweets in Karnataka?

Ans:- In a local sweet shop, market, and online stores during the festive season.

Q7. What are some healthy Sankranti sweets?

Ans:- Dry fruit ladoos and Ellu Bella are nutritious options that combine taste with health benefits.