On the Sankranthi day, ‘Pongali’, a dish prepared from the recent rice harvest is offered to Sankranthi Lakshmi. This is quite similar to the dish prepared in neighboring Tamil Nadu during Pongal. An important side dish prepared on the day is the pumpkin curry. ‘Arselu’ or special ‘Sankranthi Appam’ is an important sweet delicacy prepared during Sankranthi.
A major highlight of Sankranthi festival in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is charity or alms giving. Most people make it a point to share whatever they have with other people. Sweets and milk products are shared between relatives and neighbors. Gifting pumpkin is another highlight. Idols of various gods in the Hindu pantheon, bronze utensils, and clothes are given away on the day.