The festival of Makar Sankranti

Hello everyone... Its been a while since I have written something. I received a message from Swapnali, an enthusiastic girl, who follows my blog saying that I hadn't written anything  of late and she suggested that I should write something on Makar Sankranti. I promised her that I'd surely have this topic for my next post and here it is.....

The sun, symbolizing wisdom, divine knowledge and spiritual light, which receded from you when you reveled in the darkness of ignorance, delusion and sensuality, now joyously turns on its northward course and moves towards you to shed its light and warmth in greater abundance, and to infuse into you more life and energy. - Author Unknown

  Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious day for the Hindus, It is celebrated in almost all parts of the country in many forms, with great devotion, fervor and gaiety. It is the day when the Sun begins its ascend and entry into the Northern Hemisphere. Sun in the Hindu religion is notably mentioned as the visible form of God that one can see every day who symbolizes the one, non-dual, glorious divinity blessing one and  all. The Gayatri Mantra, is directed to Sun God to bless the individuals with intelligence and wisdom. Sun not only represents God but also stands for an embodiment of knowledge and wisdom.

Astrologists consider it to be having a great significance in astrology as it involves the transition of sun from one zodiac sign to the other, in fact sankranti happens every month. 

This year, Maha Kumbh mela at Sangam (meeting place of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati) in Allahabad begins on this day. Where bathing for purification from sin is considered especially auspicious and attracts millions of devotees from around the world.

The religious significance are many and can be read in our various scriptures, I am not covering those aspects here.  

The festival of Makar Sankranti is highly regarded by the Hindus from North to down South. The day is known by various names and a variety of traditions are witnessed as one explores the festival in different states.It is a major harvest festival celebrated in various parts of India. According to the lunar calendar, when the sun moves from the Tropic of Capricorn to the Tropic of Cancer or from Dakshinayana to Uttarayana, in the month of Pausha in mid-January, it commemorates the beginning of the harvest season and cessation of the northeast monsoon in South India. The movement of the Sun from one zodiac sign into another is called Sankranti and as the Sun moves into the Capricorn zodiac known as Makar in Hindi, this occasion is named as Makar Sankranti in the Indian context. It is one of the few Hindu Indian festivals which are celebrated on a fixed date i.e. 14 January every year or may be sometimes on 15 January, if it happens to be a leap year. After this day the days start becoming longer and warmer in India, hence is also a celebration among the folks.

 In Uttar Pradesh, Sankrant is called ‘Khichdi’. Taking a dip in the holy rivers on this day is regarded as most auspicious. A big one-month long ‘Magha-Mela’ fair begins at Prayag (Allahabad) on this day. Apart from Triveni (where the three rivers Ganga, Jamuna and Saraswati meet), ritual bathing also takes place at many places like Haridvar and Garh Mukteshwar in Uttar Pradesh, and Patna in Bihar. 

In Punjab where December and January are the coldest months of the year, huge bonfires are lit on the eve of Sankrant  which is celebrated as Lohri. Sweets particularly revdi, peanuts, sugarcane and rice are offered in the bonfires, around which people, family and friends gather. Dancing follows the puja. The following day, which is Sankrant, is celebrated as Maghi. 

In Maharashtra on the Sankranti day people exchange  tilguds made from til (sesame seeds) and sugar and til-laddus made from til and jaggery. Til-polis are offered for lunch. While exchanging tilguls as tokens of goodwill people greet each other saying – ‘til-gul ghya, goud goud bola’ meaning ‘accept these tilguls and speak sweet words’. The under-lying thought in the exchange of tilguls is to forget the past ill-feelings and hostilities and resolve to speak sweetly and remain friends. This is a special day for the women in Maharashtra when married women are invited for a get-together called ‘Haldi-Kumkum’ and given gifts of any utensil, which the woman of the house purchases on that day.

 In Gujarat Sankrant is observed  in the same manner as in Maharashtra but with a difference that in Gujarat there is a custom of giving gifts to relatives. Kite flying has been associated with this festival in a big way. It has become an internationally well-known event now. On this day colourful kites make Gujrat sky a sight to behold!

In Tamil Nadu, Sankrant is known by the name of ‘Pongal’, which takes its name from the surging of rice boiled in a pot of milk, and this festival has more significance than even Diwali. It is very popular particularly amongst farmers. Rice and pulses cooked together in ghee and milk is offered to the family deity after the ritual worship. In essence in the South this Sankrant is a ‘Puja’ (worship) for the Sun God.

In Andhra Pradesh, it is celebrated as a three-day harvest festival Pongal.  The Telugus like to call it 'Pedda Panduga' meaning big festival. The whole event lasts for four days, the first day Bhogi, the second day Sankranti, the third day Kanuma and the fourth day, Mukkanuma.

In Kerala, also among a lot of Hindus from the Southern states, the 40 days Anushthana by the devotees of Ayyappa ends on this day in Sabarimala with a big  celebration in the form of makaravilakku festival.

In  Madhya Pradesh this festival is known by the name ‘Sakarat’ and is celebrated with great pomp and merriment. Food forms an integral part of the celebrations. 

Sankranti - black!

In Odisha the tribals  start their new year from the day of Sankrant by lighting bonfires, dancing and ofcourse great food. In Assam, the festival is celebrated as Bhogali Bihu. In the coastal regions, it is a harvest festival dedicated to Lord Indra, the supreme ruler of the Gods. 

In Bengal a big Mela is held at Ganga Sagar the continental shelf of Bay of Bengal,south of Kolkata. This island is a famous Hindu pilgrimage place. Every year on the day of Makar Sankranti  thousands of Hindus gather to take a holy dip at the confluence of river Ganges and Bay of Bengal and offer puja in the Kapil Muni Temple. This mela is attended by a large number of pilgrims from all over the country.

For the ladies in Mumbai, it’s a day to dress in black sarees, have some celebrations in office. Offer Til ladoos, attend haldi kumkum in office as well as at their friend's places in the evenings. Yes, for me I got to see some amazing black sarees and a feeling of great festivity among the lovely ladies. 

PS

I'll keep with my promise of writing about Abhilash Tomy in my posts till he is back from his historic voyage.

(Abhilash Tomy is attempting to be the first Indian on a solo non stop unassisted circumnavigation of the globe)

This day of Makar Sankranti, is celebrated all over India with pomp and gaiety. Taking a holy dip in the rivers or having an early morning bath at home is a part of the ritual, Tomy mentions that he has a limited supply of the potable water and has to be judicious about its use. Sun is certainly the power that he looks for everyday, as he says that its overcast most of the time. Yes he does meditate, Shambhavi Kriya is a part of his daily meditation. I am sure all that has been a part of his preparation for the big job that he has at his hands. I must say, we salute this rock solid guy for his endurance and perseverance.  

 To know more about Lt. Cdr Tomy and his boat the Mhadei, follow the link below.

Check: www.sagarparikrama2.blogspot.com

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