Makar Sankranti – The Festival Of Decluttering, Brotherhood And Leading With The Light Of The Heart

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Significance Of Makar Sankranti: 

The auspicious day of Makara Sankranti is the day dedicated to worship the Sun – whose light nourishes and sustains all life on this planet. Sankranti means Passage in Sanskrit.

Sankranti comes every month of the solar year when the sun moves from one sign of the zodiac to the next. The time when the sun changes direction from one constellation (of the zodiac) to another is known as Sankranti. And when the sun enters Capricorn, that is considered the most auspicious of all Sankrantis.

In Vedic astrology, Capricorn is known as “Makara” – the 10th sign of the Zodiac. Makara is a mythological animal, half-terrestrial and half-aquatic, and it is often depicted as a crocodile. It is considered to be a guardian of gateways and thresholds.

Makara Sankranti marks the beginning of the winter solstice. The sun’s northward journey Uttarayana begins on January 14th. Good things are expected to happen. Climate and the general ambience around us is expected to improve. 

It is believed that children born during this period are naturally progressive, well mannered, pleasant and of noble disposition. Makara Sankranti, this time of renewal, is celebrated by different names all over India.

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Festive Rangoli: 

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Sankranti And Pongal Festivals Across India: 

The end of the southeast monsoon season and the harvest’s reaping are commemorated by the festivals of Pongal in the South and Sankranti in the North. Pongal’s arrival is related with spring cleaning and burning of junk in the house, which represents the destruction of evil.

In Uttar Pradesh it is called Khichri Sankranthi, as special Kichdi is made on that day. It is also called Til-Sankranti as laddoos with til are made and distributed. People take dips in rivers and worship the sun.

In Assam it is known as Bhogali Bihu – harvest festival. Bull fights are a major attraction of the festivities.

In Karnataka, Sankranti is celebrated with visiting friends and relatives and treat them with sweets and delicacies.

In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana it is called Sankranti or Gupi when the sons-in-law of the family are given a royal treatment. There will be a display of dolls for three days also called Bommala Koluvu. The three days of the festival are: Bhogi, Sankranti, and Kanuma.

Sankranti Bommala Koluvu

In Kerala it goes by the name Makara Jyoti or Villaku, which is celebrated with arati to Ayyappan at Shabarimalai.

In Gujrat, it is Patang (kite) Sankranti when the kites take the center stage. The sun is eclipsed by thousands of kites that soar in the sky. Sesame seeds are given as open gifts and laddoos of til are distributed. Kite flying conveys the message that God is holding the string of man, as He is the “Sutradhara”.

In Punjab and Haryana, Sankranti is known as LOHRI. Lohri marks the culmination of winter, and is celebrated on the 13th day in the month of Paush. The festival is celebrated to mark the end of winter. For Punjabis, this is more than just a festival; it is also the way of life. Lohri celebrates fertility and the spark of life. People gather round the bonfires, throw sweets, puffed rice and popcorn into the flames as an offering to the Sun God, the giver of all life, sing Lohri songs and exchange greetings. Men and women sing and dance, men do Bhangra and women Gidda. They make some offerings to the fire by saying – Aadar Aye, Dalidar Jaye – may honor come and let poverty go.

In Tamil Nadu, Pongal also marks the beginning of the Tamil month called Thai, which is considered an auspicious month. It usually falls on the 14th or 15th of January each year. The three days of the Pongal festival are called Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal, and Mattu Pongal. Decorative designs or rangolis are traced on floors and on the day of the Pongal, the newly harvested rice is cooked in homes to acclaim the bounty of the Gods.

One of the common themes of this festival as seen in many parts of the country is the distribution of a sweet called til-gul – the combination of til seeds and jaggery. The til brimming with fragrant and delicious oil stands for friendship and comradeship and jaggery for the sweetness of speech and behavior. The distribution of til-gul, therefore, forms a touching aspect of the Makara Sankramana celebration.

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The Festival Of Lohri: 

Punjabi Lohri

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Muggulu (Rangoli) In Front Of Homes In Andhra Pradesh:

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Leading With The Light From Within: 

Light symbolizes warmth, i.e., love and affection, the quality of the heart. It is this supreme light and intelligence coupled with the warmth of the heart alone that can ultimately lead to all-round human harmony and happiness.

In addition to calling for the full blossoming of each person’s unique identity, Makara Sankramana also urges the awakening of all dormant energies within man for the benefit and glory of society as a whole.

Makara Sankramana embodies the ardent prayer of every Hindu heart –

Asato maa sadgamaya
Tamaso maa jyotirgamaya
Mrityormaa amritam gamaya

O Lord, lead me from the unreal to real; from the
darkness (of ignorance) to light (of knowledge); and
from death to immortality.

Call it Lohri, Pongal or Sankranti, the festival conveys the same message – the bond of brotherhood and the spirit of oneness should prevail above everything else.

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Significance Of Ratham Muggu For Brotherhood: (Telugu)

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Bhogi Pallu Festival During Sankranti: 

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Essays On Life

Why We See Outrage, How Hope Helps And Handling The Stressors Of Life

True heroism is minutes, hours, weeks, year upon year of the quiet, precise, judicious exercise of probity and care-with no one there to see or cheer. This is the world. ~ David Foster Wallace

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