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Makar Sankranti festival in
India is one of the widely celebrated festivals in India.
Celebrated all over the country with different names, this
festival is known to bring a wave of celebration all over India.
In South India Makar Sankranti is called Pongal, in North India
it is called Lohri, while in Western India particularly Gujarat
it is celebrated by flying colourful kites. Lots of Hindus
assemble on auspicious places and pray to the Sun God.
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Significance of this day:
Literally Makar means Capricorn and Sankranti stands for
transition. Astrologically there is a Sankranti every month when
the sun passes from one zodiac sign to the next one. Since there
are 12 zodiac signs there are 12 Sankrantis. Each of these
Sankrantis have their own importance but Mesh (Aries) Sankranti
and Makar (Capricorn) Sankranti are considered more prominent.
Makar Sankranti is the transition of
the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn, during winter. From this day
begins the six-month long Uttarayana. Makar Sankranti is celebrated in
the Hindu month of Magha. After Sankranti the days start becoming longer
and a lot warmer.
Culture & Festivities:
Uttar Pradesh:
In Uttar Pradesh, Sankranti is called Khichiri. Devotees make a beeline
to exchange Sankranti greetings and take a dip in the holy rivers.
Tamil Nadu:
In Tamil Nadu Sankranti is called Pongal. Women prepare a rice and milk
sweet preparation which is called pongal. This pongal is offered to the
Sun God.
Andhra Pradesh:
In Andhra Pradesh, this is celebrated as a four-day festival. It is a
big event for Andhraites, particularly the farmer community. The
festival begins with Bhogi, the second day is called Sankranti, the
third day Kanuma and the celebrations conclude with Mukkanuma, which
falls on the fourth day.
Maharashtra:
In Maharashtra people exchange tilguls (sweets made from sesame seeds
and jaggery). On this day people aim to forget the ill events of the
past and resolve to be nice to each other.
This is a special day for the women in Maharashtra when married women
are invited for a get together called Haldi-Kumkum where they are given
gifts.
Gujarat:
In Gujarat Sankranti is observed with the same fervour as other parts of
the country. On this day the elders in the family buy gifts for the
younger members of the family. Also, kite flying is a big ritual that is
followed on this day. All members of the community get together for this
event on this day.
Punjab:
Huge bonfires are lit for Lohri. Sweets, sugarcane and corn are thrown
into the bonfires. The people of the community also dance and enjoy a
lavish dinner together.
Orissa:
People in Orissa get together and light a bonfire. They dance together,
eat good food and also put up handmade trinkets for sale.
Thus our country gains its colourful profile with a celebration so vivid
in different states yet binding with a single thread running through it.
Author: Ms Coutinho.
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