FESTIVALS OF INDIA

MAKAR SANKRANTI

HISTORY

According to the Hindi calendar Makar Sankranti

is a festival celebrated for the happiness of getting

new crops for farmers.

DATE

Makar Sankranti has an astrological significance, as the sun

enters the Capricorn (Sanskrit: Makara) zodiac constellation

on that day. This date remains almost constant with respect to

the Gregorian calendar. However, precession of the Earth's

axis (called ayanamsa) causes Makara Sankranti to move over

the ages. A thousand years ago, Makara Sankranti was on 31

December and is now on 14 January. According to calculations,

from 2014 Makar Sankranti will fall on 15 January.

SIGNIFICANCE

Makara Sankranti is a major harvest festival celebrated in various

parts of India. Makara Sankranti 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 Makara in Sanskrit, this occasion is named as Makara

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 (leap year)

SIGNIFICANCE

Makara Sankranti, apart from a harvest festival is also regarded

as the beginning of an auspicious phase in Indian culture. It is said

as the 'holy phase of transition'. It marks the end of an inauspicious

phase which according to the Hindu calendar begins around mid-

December. It is believed that any auspicious and sacred ritual can

be sanctified in any Hindu family, this day onwards. Scientifically,

this day marks the beginning of warmer and longer days compared

to the nights. In other words, Sankranti marks the termination of

winter season and beginning of a new harvest or spring season.

WINTER SOLSTICE

Many Indians conflate this festival with the Winter Solstice, and believe that the sun ends its

southward journey (Sanskrit: Dakshinayana) at the Tropic of Capricorn, and starts moving

northward (Sanskrit: Uttarayaana) towards the Tropic of Cancer, in the month of Pausha on this

day in mid-January.

There is no observance of Winter Solstice in the Hindu religion. Further, the Sun makes its

northward journey on the day after winter solstice when day light increases. Therefore, Makara

Sankranti signifies the celebration of the day following the day of winter solstice.

Scientifically, currently in the Northern Hemisphere, winter solstice occurs between December

21 and 22. Day light will begin to increase on 22 December and on this day, the Sun will begin

its northward journey which marks Uttarayaana. The date of winter solstice changes gradually

due to the Axial precession of the Earth, coming earlier by approximately 1 day in every 70

years. Hence, if the Makara Sankranti at some point of time did mark the actual date of winter

solstice, a date in mid-January would correspond to around 300CE.

RITUAL

This is the one of the very important rituals in India to be performed on Makar Sankranti.

Women will offer the Shreemangalchandika prapatti on the day of Sankranti (the 14th or the

15th of January). It holds a significance because on this day, Mata Mahishasurmardini with

the purpose of destroying Mahishasur, first set foot on earth, in the Kataraaj ashram of Rishi

Kardam and Devahuti. Women will offer the ShreeMangalChandika Prapatti

‘Shreemangalchandika naimittik prapatti’ after sunset on the day of Sankranti. This again

because it was after sunset that the Mahishasurmardini set foot in the Kataraaj ashram. If She

were to come during the day, no man would have been able to bear her radiance and so She

came after sunset, when it was dark.

Offering the prapatti on the day of Sankranti makes out of every woman, the protective

soldier of her family on the one hand and the bodyguard of each of her family members on the

other. Irrespective of whether she is a mother, a sister or a wife, she definitely becomes the

protector of the family.

CELEBRATIONS IN KARNATAKA

This is the Suggi(ಸು�ಗ್ಗಿ�) or harvest festival for farmers of Karnataka. On this auspicious day, young females (kids and

teenagers) wear new clothes to visit near and dear ones with a Sankranti offering in a plate, and exchange the same

with other families. This ritual is called "Ellu Birodhu." Here the plate would normally contain "Ellu" (white sesame

seeds) mixed with fried groundnuts, neatly cut dry coconut and fine cut bella (jaggery). The mixture is called "Ellu-

Bella" ( ಎಳ್ಳು� ಬೆಲ್ಲ). The plate also contains sugar candy moulds of various shapes (Sakkare Acchu, ಸುಕ್ಕ�ರೆ ಅಚ್ಚು��) with a piece

of sugarcane. There is a saying in Kannada "ellu bella thindu olle maathadi" which translates to 'eat the mixture of

sesame seeds and jaggery and speak only good.' This festival signifies the harvest of the season, since sugarcane is

predominant in these parts.

In some parts of Karnataka, a newly married woman is required to give away bananas for a period of five years to

married women (muthaidhe) from the first year of her marriage, but increase the number of bananas in multiples of

five. There is also a tradition of some households giving away red berries "Yalchi Kai" along with the above. In North

Karnataka, kite flying with community members is also a tradition. Drawing rangoli in groups is another popular

event among women during Sankranti

An important ritual is display of cows and cattle in colourful costumes in an open field. Cows are decorated for the

occasion and taken on a procession. They are also made to cross a pyre. This ritual is common in rural Karnataka

and is called "Kichchu Haayisuvudu.”

CELEBRATIONS IN ASSAM

Magh Bihu In Assam, the festival is celebrated as Bhogali Bihu. Magh

Bihu (also called Bhogali Bihu (Bihu of enjoyment) or Maghar Domahi) is

a harvest festival celebrated in Assam, India, which marks the end of

harvesting season in the month of Maagha (January–February). It is the

Assam celebration of Sankranthi, with feasting lasting for a week. The

festival is marked by feasts and bonfires. Young people erect makeshift

huts, known as meji, from bamboo, leaves and thatch, in which they eat

the food prepared for the feast, and then burn the huts the next morning.

The celebrations also feature traditional Assamese games such as tekeli

bhonga (pot-breaking) and buffalo fighting.

CELEBRATIONS IN BIHAR

On 14 January, it is celebrated as Makar Sankranti or Sakraat or KHICHDI (in local dialects). As in other parts of country,

people take baths in rivers and ponds and feast upon seasonal delicacies as a celebration of a good harvest. The delicacies

include chura, gur (jaggery), various sweets made of til (sesame seeds) such as tilgul, tilwa, maska, etc., curd, milk and

seasonal vegetables. Kite flying festivals are also organised, albeit on a small scale.

On 15 January, it is celebrated as Makraat (in some parts of the state) when people relish special khichdi (dal-rice replete

with cauliflower, peas and potatoes).

This festival is considered to be one of the most important festivals. People start their day by worshiping and putting til

(sesame seeds) into fire followed by eating "Dahi-chuda" (remember dahi-chuda is different from chuda-dahi, as in former

dahi, i.e. curd predominates over chuda, i.e. beaten rice or avalakki in Kannada in amount) along with Tilkut and Lai.

Generally in the morning people eat chuda-dahi (dahi-chuda is favourite of Maithil Brahmins) with kohada (red pumpkin) ka

bhujiya which is made specially with sugar and salt combination without adding water in it, with lots of LAI, i.e. laddus made

of til, chuda, chawal(rice). Women used to prepare these things in groups. After a such heavy meal it becomes next to

impossible to eat lunch in the afternoon, so people spend the time in greeting others and playing with kites. At night a

special KHICHDI is made. "khichdi ke 4 yaar, chokha, papad, ghee, achaar" (Hindi: "khichdi has four friends: chokha [a

roasted vegetable dish], papad [lentil wafer], clarified butter, pickle") some prefer to add many more side dishes with khichdi

like chatni, tilauri, etc. Since such a rich khichdi is generally only made once a year, the festival is also referred to as

"Khichdi".

CELEBRATIONS IN DELHI

Yadav's,Jats and other rural communities of Delhi and Haryana, and

many neighbouring states consider Sakraat or Sankranti to be one of the

main festivals of the year. Churma of desi ghee,Halwa and Kheer are

cooked specially in Jat's and yadav's homes on this day.one brother of

every married woman visits her home with a gift in the form of some

warm clothing for her and her husband's family.Its called "Sidha".Women

used to give some gift to their in-laws and this rituals called "Manana".

The person(who is going to get gift) will sit in a Haweli (main palace

where men sit together and share Hookka). Women go to Haweli to sing

folk songs and give gifts to that person.

MAHARASHTRA

In Maharashtra on the Makara Sankranti (मकर सं�क्रा�न्ति�) day people exchange multicolouredHalwa

(sugar granules coated in sugar syrup) and Til-Gul Laadoo (sweetmeats made from sesame seeds

and jaggery). Gulachi Poli [flat bread stuffed with soft/shredded jaggery mixed with toasted, ground

til (white sesame seeds)] and some gram flour, which has been toasted to golden in plenty of pure

ghee, are offered for lunch. While exchanging til-gul as tokens of goodwill people greet each other

with the words "ति�ळगु�ळ घ्या�, आणि� गु�ड-गु�ड बो�ला� / til-gul ghyaa, aani goad-goad bolaa" meaning ‘Accept this

til-gul and utter sweet words’. The underlying thought in the exchange of til-gul 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-Kunku’ (literally meaning turmeric -vermillion) and given gifts such as

utensils, clothes etc. Typically, women wear black sarees or black coloured outfits on this occasion.

The significance of wearing black is that Sankranti comes at the peak of the winter season and black

colour retains and absorbs heat, helping keep warm Maharastra is also famous for kite flying on this

special occasion.

MAHARASHTRA (CONTD)

Makara Sankranti is one of the most auspicious days for the Hindus and is celebrated in almost all parts of India in

myriad cultural forms, with great devotion. Millions of people take a dip in places like Ganga Sagar (the point

where the river Ganges meets the Bay of Bengal) and Prayag and pray to the Sun God (Surya). It is celebrated with

pomp in southern parts of India as Sankranti (Pongal in Tamil Nadu), and in Punjab as Maghi.

In the western Indian state of Gujarat, the celebrations are even bigger. People offer thousands of their colourful

oblations to the Sun in the form of beautiful kites. The act stands as a metaphor for reaching to their beloved God,

the one who represents the best. In the rural and coastal areas, cock fights are held and is a prominent event of the

festival. Makara Sankranti is also to honour, worship and to pay respect to Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge). At

the start of this significant event, there is also worship for the departed ancestors.

Makara Sankranti identifies a period of enlightenment, peace, prosperity and happiness followed by a period of

darkness, ignorance and viciousness with immense sorrow. The six months of northern movement of the sun is

followed by six months of southern movement.

Since the festival is celebrated in mid winter, food prepared for this festival is such that it keeps the body warm

and gives high energy. Laddu of til made with jaggery is a speciality of the festival. In the western Indian state of

Maharashtra it is called 'Tilgud'. In Karnataka it is called 'Yellu-Bella'. In some states cattle are decorated with

various colours and are made to jump over a bonfire.

PUNJAB

In Punjab, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Maghi. Bathing in any river in the

early hours on Maghi is important. Hindus light lamps with sesame oil as this is

supposed to give prosperity and drive away all sins. The Punjabis dance their

famous dance known as "bhangra". Then they sit down and eat the sumptuous

food that is specially prepared for the occasion. It is traditional to eat "kheer",

rice cooked in milk and sugarcane juice. It is also traditional to consume

Khichdi and jaggery.

December and January are the coldest months of the year in the Punjab.

Maghi represents the change of the season to warmer temperatures and

increase in daylight. Huge bonfires are lit on the eve of Maghi and the day is

celebrated as Lohri.

RAJASTHAN

"Makar Sankrati" or "Sankrat" in the Rajasthani language is one of the major festivals in the state of

Rajasthan. The day is celebrated with some special Rajasthani delicacies and sweets such as pheeni

(either with sweet milk or sugar syrup dipped), til-paati, gajak, kheer, ghevar, pakodi, puwa, and til-

laddoo.

Specially, the ladies of this region observe a kind of ritual in which they give any type of object

(related to household, make-up or food) to 13 married women. The first Sankranti experienced by a

married woman is of significance as she is invited by her parents and brothers to their houses with

her husband for a big feast. People invite friends and relatives (specially their sisters and daughters)

to their home for special festival meals (called as "Sankrant Bhoj"). Also people give out many kind

of small gifts such as til-gud (jaggery), fruits, dry khichadi, etc. to Brahmins or the needy ones.

Kite flying is traditionally observed as a part of this festival.[6] On this occasion the sky in Jaipur and

Hadoti regions is filled with kites, and youngsters engage in kite contests trying to cut each other's

strings.

TAMIL NADU - PONGAL

The festival is celebrated four days from the last day of the Tamil month Maargazhi to the third day of the

Tamil month Thai.

The first day of festival is Bhogi(போ��கி�). It is celebrated by throwing away and destroying old clothes and

materials, by setting them on fire, marking the end of the old and the emergence of the new. Also in a villages

there will be a simple ceremony of "Kappu Kattu" (kappu means secure) will be done. The 'neem' leaves are

kept along the walls and roof of the houses. This is to eliminate the evil forces.

The second day of festival is Thai Pongal or simply Pongal. It is the main day of the festival, falling on the first

day of the Tamil month Thai. It is celebrated by boiling rice with fresh milk and jaggery in new pots, which are

later topped with brown sugar, cashew nuts and raisins early in the morning and allowing it to boil over the

vessel. This tradition gives Pongal its name. The moment the rice boils over and bubbles out of the vessel, the

tradition is to shout of " பொ��ங்கிபோ�� பொ��ங்கில்(Ponggalo Ponggal)!" and blowing the sangu (a conch), a custom

practised during the festival to announce it was going to be a year blessed with good tidings. Then New boiled

rice is offered to the Nature during sunrise, a gesture which symbolises thanks to the sun and nature for

providing prosperity. It is later served to the people present in the house for the ceremony. People also prepare

savouries and sweets such as vadai, murukku, payasam and visit each other and exchange greetings.

TAMIL NADU - PONGAL

The third day of festival is Maattu Pongal( மா�ட்டுப் பொ��ங்கில்). It is for offering thanks

to cattle, as they help farmer in different ways for agriculture. On this day the cattle

are decorated with paint, flowers and bells. They are allowed to roam free and fed

sweet rice and sugar cane. Some people decorate the horns with gold or other metallic

covers. In some places, Jallikattu, or taming the wild bull contest, is the main event of

this day and this is mostly seen in the villages.

The fourth day of the festival is Kaanum Pongal( கி�ணும்பொ��ங்கில் - the word

kaanum means "to view"). During this day people visit their relatives, friends to enjoy

the festive season. This day is a day to thank relatives and friends for their support in

the harvest. It started as a farmers festival, called as Uzhavar Thirunaal in Tamil.

Kolam (போகி��ம்) decorations are made in front of the house during Thai Pongal

festival.

GUJRAT

Uttarayan, as Makara Sankranti is called in Gujarati, is a major festival in the state of Gujarat which lasts for

two days.

14 January is Uttarayan

15 January is Vasi-Uttarayan(Stale Uttarayan)

Gujarati people keenly await this festival to fly kites, called 'patang' in Gujarati. Kites for Uttarayan are

made of special light-weight paper and bamboo and are mostly rhombus shaped with central spine and a

single bow. The string often contains abrasives in order to cut down other people's kites.

In Gujarat, from December through to Makara Sankranti, people start enjoying Uttarayan. Undhiyu (spicy,

baked mix of winter vegetables) and chikkis (made from til (sesame seeds), peanuts and jaggery) are the

special festival recipes savoured on this day.

In the major cities of Vadodara, Surat,Rajkot, Ahmedabad, and Bhavnagar the skies appear filled with

thousands upon thousands of kites as people enjoy two full days of Uttarayan up on their terraces.

When people cut any kites they used to yell with words like "kaypo chhe", "e lapet","phirki vet phirki" and

"lapet lapet" in Gujarati language.

NEPAL

Maghe Sankranti (Nepali:म�घे� संङ्� क्रा�न्ति� Nepal Bhasa:घ्या�चा�क� सं�ल्हु) is a Nepalese festival observed on the first of Magh in

the Bikram Samwat Nepali calendar (about 14 January) bringing an end to the ill-omened month of Poush when all

religious ceremonies are forbidden. On this day, the sun is believed to leave its southernmost position and begin its

northward journey. Maghe Sankranti is similar to solstice festivals in other religious traditions.

Observant Hindus take ritual baths during this festival, notably at auspicious river locations. These include

Sankhamul on the Bagmati near Patan; In the Gandaki/Narayani river basin at Triveni near the Indian border,

Devghat near Chitwan Valley and Ridi on the Kaligandaki; and in the Koshi River basin at Dolalghat on the Sun

Koshi. Festive foods like laddoo, ghee and sweet potatoes are distributed to all relatives and friends. The mother of

each household wishes good health to all family members.

The legend states that a successful businessman was curious as to why his supply of sesame seed seemed to be

never ending. When he inspected the bag he found an idol of Lord Vishnu, the preserver.

According to Mahabharata, king Bhisma, who had the power to control his own death, happened to choose to die on

the day of Maghe Sakranti. Therefore it is believed that one to die on this day might achieve Moksha, a release from

rebirth cycle.

As per Kirat community this festival is celebrated as a start of a new year which is called Yele Dhung.[4] Based on

the rical evidence Kirat calendar was started when King Yalamber conquered Kathmandu valley.

REGARDS

Tr. Jagdish Menda

Area 6 Twinkler Convenor.

Information taken from Wikipedia