Lucknow, Amrit Vichar: Just two days before Makar Sankranti, the markets of the city have started smelling of Gajak, sesame laddu, cashew patti, cashew roll, sesame barfi. More than 13 varieties of Gajak are available. According to businessmen, 50 to 60 kg of sweets are being prepared daily at each shop.
Despite the increase in the prices of sweets made from sesame and jaggery, there has been no decrease in the demand. Sesame seeds and jaggery have special significance on Makar Sankranti. On this day, they are used in worship as well as in charity.
Old lady Vimaladevi, resident of Ganeshganj, tells that earlier, as soon as the month of Paush started, laddus were made at home from sesame seeds and jaggery. Laddus were prepared by washing sesame seeds, drying them and then mixing them with jaggery syrup. After offering to the Lord, laddus were eaten throughout the month and especially on the day of Sankranti, laddus were made in large quantities. He said that now due to age, it is not possible to work so hard and even among the new generation, the inclination to make laddus at home has reduced. In such a situation, puja and traditions are being performed only by purchasing sweets from the market.