Mukkanuma is the final and fourth day of Makara Sankranti festival in Andhra Pradesh. In 2026, Mukkanuma date is January 16.
Mukkanuma is celebrated on the next day of Kanuma. It is celebrated as Kaanum Pongal in Tamil Nadu. Kanuma and Mukkanuma are also known as ‘Pasuvula Panduga’ (Festival of Cattle) in Telugu.
Pasuvula Puja (worshipping cattle) is the main ritual on Mukkanuma. Kodi pandaalu (cockfight) and eddula pandaalu (bullock cart races) are the blood sports (a gamble of crores of rupees) associated with Sankranti in some Coastal district of Andhra Pradesh. Hindupad condemns this type of fake rituals and request all to avoid such violence on animals.
Key Aspects of Mukkanuma:
-
It is a day of celebration after the rituals of the earlier days of Sankranti are completed.
-
Traditional events like cockfights, bullfights, and ram fights are organized, often with betting or wagers on the outcomes, reflecting rural communal entertainment.
-
Rangoli competitions for women and kite flying for children are common activities, where kite flying symbolizes aspiring for higher achievements in life.
-
Mukkanuma is a day when families and communities come together to enjoy festive meals and social gatherings, marking the conclusion of the harvest festival period.
Relation to Sankranti Festivities:
-
Mukkanuma is closely linked to the agricultural cycle and expresses gratitude for the season’s harvest.
-
It wraps up the Sankranti festival, following days dedicated to Bhogi, Sankranti, and Kanuma which focus respectively on cleansing, new beginnings, and cattle worship.
In summary, Mukkanuma blends cultural celebrations with traditional rural sports and community bonding, serving as an exuberant conclusion to the Sankranti festival sequence.