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Sankranthiki Vasthunam (Telugu Sankranti Essentials): A Practical, Warm Checklist for Bhogi to Mukkanuma

If you grew up in a Telugu household, you’ve probably heard it said with a smile and a bit of urgency: Sankranthi ki Vastu. It’s shorthand for everything you need to “come home” before Sankranthi: groceries, items needed for puja, rangoli powder, sugarcane, and even small items like fresh flowers and new wicks for the lamp.

This post keeps it simple and useful. You’ll get a practical checklist (grouped for easy shopping), what each item is used for, and quick planning tips throughout Bhogi, Makar Sankranthi (the big festival), Kanuma, and Mukkanuma.

If you’re celebrating away from home in the US, in an apartment, or setting up your first Sankranthi, this guide is for you. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s the clean, bright, “fresh start” feeling that Sankranthi brings.

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What does “Sankranthiki Vasthunam” mean, and why do people say it?

In plain English, Sankranthiki Vasthunam means “the things we’re bringing for Sankranti.” In Telugu homes (especially in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana), it often means Sankranti essentials as a whole, not only shopping. It includes:

• Cleaning and resetting the home before Bhogi
• Puja prep for the main day
• Decor like muggulu (rangoli) and mango-leaf toran
• Festival cooking, sweets, and snacks
• Visiting family, sharing food, and sometimes taking a small “vasthunam” basket to elders

Sankranti is not an hour-long ritual, as people call it. It is a short season at home. The mood changes: floors are cleaned, corners are cleaned, and the kitchen smells of jaggery, ghee, pepper and cumin.

Sankranti is also important because it is associated with harvest gratitude and the worship of Surya (the sun). It is a time when families reunite, when they call on missing relatives, and when the festival is considered a reset button for the coming year. If you want a broader context for how Sankranti is celebrated, this overview will be useful: Social, cultural and culinary celebrations of Sankranti in Telugu states.

The important thing to remember: Every family does it a little differently. Your “Vastunam list” will vary depending on the village, budget, food habits and how many people are coming to the house. Its main theme is togetherness and gratitude, not a photo-perfect setup.

The 4 Sankranti days and what you usually prepare for each one

In 2026, Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is celebrated across four days, with the main day on January 14, 2026 (Bhogi on January 13, Kanuma on January 15, Mukkanuma on January 16).

Here’s a kid-friendly breakdown that also works as a planning cheat sheet:

Day	Common name	What it feels like at home	Typical “vasthunam” that changes
Day 1 (Jan 13)	Bhogi	Clean-up, fresh start, bonfire night	Bonfire wood (where allowed), old items to discard
Day 2 (Jan 14)	Makara Sankranti (Pedda Panduga)	Main puja, big meal, new clothes	Puja items, sugarcane, sweets, fruits
Day 3 (Jan 15)	Kanuma	Farm gratitude, cattle worship (where possible)	Turmeric, kumkum, garlands (for cows/bulls in villages)
Day 4 (Jan 16)	Mukkanuma	Family time, games, relaxed feast	Extra groceries, snacks, meat dishes in some homes

Sankranti Item Checklist: Pooja Items, Decorations and What Each Item Is Used For

Think of this checklist as packing for a trip. You don’t need everything. You need the basics to create a Sankranti feel: a clean space, a small pooja space, a welcoming entrance, and festive food.

A helpful way to shop is to group items by purpose:

Basic items used daily (those that keep the entire festival running smoothly): Oil or ghee for lamps and cooking, fresh wicks, a match/lighter, paper towels, extra containers for sweets, and a few small plates for offerings.

Festive symbols: Turmeric, saffron, sugarcane, sesame seeds, jaggery, and rice. These will appear again and again in the pooja and in the food.

Now, here are the key groups in detail.

Pooja Requirements for a Simple Sankranti Setup at Home

You don’t need a big altar. A clean corner, a small table, and a plate are all that is needed. If you have photos or idols (of the sun, your family deity, or a simple devotional image), place them on a clean cloth and keep the area clutter-free.

Common Puja Basics and Their Meaning:

• Yellow (Jasmine): Used for auspicious symbols and offerings
• Saffron: Used for tilak and prayer rituals
• Flowers (banthikura common): Simple offerings, add color and fragrance
• Mango leaves: Traditional “welcome” element, often used in arch and kalash arrangements
• Incense sticks: Keep the prayer space fragrant and peaceful
• Diya or oil lamp: The center of the puja, a symbol of light and prayer
• Fruits: Easy offerings (naivedyam), also practical for sharing later
• Coconut: A classic offering used in many South Indian pujas
• Tamarinds and nuts: A traditional hospitality and ritual item in many homes
• Rice: Used in offerings and as part of festive dishes
• Jaggery and sesame seeds: Main ingredients of the Sankranti season, used in sweets and offerings

Beginner tip: If you are unsure, have a “small plate setup”. A lamp, a flower, a pinch of turmeric and saffron, a fruit, and a little cooked sweet Pongal (or any sweet you have prepared). The key here is not the measurements, but the honesty.

Easy planning guide: Sankranthiki Vasthunam prep timeline and budget tips

Sankranti gets hard when everything is left to the last day. A short timeline makes it feel calm, even if you’re working full-time or celebrating with limited space.

A simple timeline so you do not forget anything

2 to 3 days before

• Quick cleaning sweep (especially entryway and kitchen)
• Write your shopping list by category (puja, decor, groceries)
• Pick your “one sweet” and “one main dish” plan

Day before

• Prep ingredients (wash rice and dal, portion jaggery, chop vegetables)
• Set up the puja spot (cloth, photos, plate, diya)
• If you do muggu, draw a light outline so you can finish fast in the morning

Festival morning

• Fresh flowers and a quick tidy at the entrance
• Light the lamp, keep the offering simple
• Cook your main dish, then enjoy the day (photos, calls, visits)

Bhogi bonfire note: if you live in the US, follow local fire rules and building policies. In many apartments, a bonfire won’t be allowed. You can still keep the spirit by decluttering old items and lighting a small lamp safely indoors.

Minimal Sankranti at home: a small list that still feels festive

If you want a Sankranti setup that fits a small apartment and a realistic budget, keep a “core kit.” It works even if you skip Bhogi bonfires and cattle rituals.

Minimal core kit

• One diya or lamp (plus oil/ghee and wicks)
• Turmeric and kumkum
• Flowers (one bunch)
• Fruit (bananas are easy)
• One coconut
• Rice, jaggery, and sesame
• One decor element (a small muggu or a simple toran)
• One sweet dish (sweet pongal or sesame-jaggery laddus)

If your home can’t support every tradition, focus on what Sankranti is really about: prayer, food, gratitude, and time with people you love.

Conclusion

Sankranthiki Vasthunam is the full Sankranti bundle, puja basics, welcoming decor, festival food, small gifts, and a little planning so the days feel joyful instead of rushed. Keep your checklist realistic, choose what fits your home, and let the festival feel warm, not stressful.

Pick your style (minimal or full), plan by day from Bhogi to Mukkanuma, and celebrate Sankranthiki Vasthunam in a way that matches your budget and your life today.