Makar Sankranti is among the most auspicious and meritorious occasions for the Hindus and is celebrated in almost all parts of India.It is a harvest festival and is celebrated in many cultural forms with immense devotion, fervor and cheerfulness. The festival is celebrated on 14th January and is possibly the only Indian festival whose date always falls on the same day each year with just a few exceptions. The various festivities of the different states are the main attractions.
The festival of Makar Sankranti marks the change of the Sun into Makara Rashi (Capricorn) on its celestial path. The festival is highly regarded by Hindus from North India to down in South India. The day is also known by various names and various traditions are witnessed as one experiences the festival in different states.
Makar Sankranti is considered as one of the most auspicious days for Hindus. The festival is celebrated differently in different parts of India. Thousands of people take a dip in the river Ganga and pray to the Sun God. Tamil Nadu, the southern parts of India also celebrated the festival as Pongal and in Punjab as Maghi. In Gujarat, celebrations are huge as people offer colorful oblations to the Sun in the form of beautiful kites. It stands as a metaphor for reaching to their beloved God.
In rural and coastal areas, cock fights are held as an important event of the festival. As the festival is celebrated in winters, food prepared in this festival is made to keep the body warm and give energy. Laddu of Til (Sesame) made with Jaggery is the festivals specialty. The festival of Makara Sankranti also honors and pays respect to Saraswati – Goddess of Knowledge. Makara Sankranti represents a period of illumination, peace, affluence and happiness.
Many Melas or fairs are also held on Makar Sankranti. The most famous among them is the Kumbh Mela which is held every 12 years at one of four holy locations, namely Haridwar, Prayag (Allahabad), Ujjain and Nasik. The Magh Mela (or mini-Kumbh Mela) held annually at Prayag, the Gangasagar Mela (held at the head of the Ganges River), Tusu Mela in parts of Jharkhand and West Bengal, Makar Mela in Orissa, etc are some of the other fairs celebrated on this day.
Makar Sankranti is celebrated as per the Hindu calendar month of Magha. This festival is celebrated for innumerable reasons depending on various climate, agricultural environment, cultural background and location. Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun into Capricorn on its celestial path. There is another significance of this day i.e. the days start becoming longer and warmer and thus the chill of winter declines.
SIGNIFICANCE OF MAKAR SANKRANTI
The festival of Makar Sankranti is associated with much cultural significance: The Puranas say that on this day Sun visits the house of his son Shani, who· is the swami of Makar Rashi. This day symbolizes the healthy relationship of father & son. It is the son who has the responsibility to carry forward his father’s dream and the continuity of the family. It was on this day when Lord Vishnu ended the ever increasing terror of the· Asuras by finishing them off and burying their heads under the Mandara Parvata (Mountain). So this occasion also represents the end of negativities and beginning of an era of righteous living.
CELEBRATION OF MAKAR SANKRANTI: The name for this festival varies depending upon the people of various regions of our country. From this day Goddess Saraswati is worshipped as it marks the beginning of Vasant Navaratri. In some parts of India people offer thousands of their colorful oblations to the Sun in the form of beautiful kites. Various sweets are prepared and distributed among the near and dear ones. In the rural and coastal areas, cock fights are held on this day. People abstain from doing their regular chores and spent time in musical soirees with their friends and relatives.
MAKAR SANKRANTI IN ORISSA:
This festival is observed largely in Orissa by both Arya and Anarya i.e, by general and Adivasi (Tribal) caste. Since this occasion falls just after the harvesting of the paddy crops is over in Orissa. Particularly, the festival is observed largely among all with joy and ceremony.
In Jagannath temple at puri this festival is observed as Uttarayana Yatra and Uttarayan Vandapana of lord Jagannath. People offer a special kind of newly harvested rice and sugarcane mixed with jaggery, grated coconut, banana, molasses, chenna (cheese), Khua, various fruits, dry fruits and milk called “Makara Chaula” to the presiding deity, the Sun God & lit solemn pyre for satisfying the evil elements plaguing household.
Maharashtra:
Maharashtrians celebrate Sankranti by exchanging multi-colored tilguls made from til (sesame seeds) and sugar and til-laddus made from til and jaggery. Since sesame seeds have a greater ability to absorb and emit sattva frequencies, consuming tilgul helps improve spiritual practice. Exchange tilgul amongst one another results in an exchange of sattvic component. Gul-polis are offered for lunch.
While exchanging tilguls as tokens of goodwill people greet each other saying” til-gul ghya, god god 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. Women folk invite other married women for a get-together called “Haldi-Kumkum” and given gifts (utensil, clothes, etc.). Typically, women wear black sarees on this occasion.
Karnataka:
Makar Sankranti is marked by men, women and children wearing colorful clothing; visiting near and dear ones; and exchanging pieces of sugarcane, a mixture of fried til, molasses, pieces of dry coconut, peanuts and fried gram. On this auspicious day, people in Karnataka distribute Yellu and bella (Sesame seeds and Jaggery) and greet with the words ” Ellu bella thindu, Olle Maathu Aadu” (Eat sesame seeds and speak only good). The significance of this exchange is that sweetness should prevail in all the dealings.
Kerala:
Makara Sankranti is celebrated in Kerala at Sabarimala where the Makara Jyothi is visible followed by the Makara Vilakku celebrations. The 40 days anushthana by the devotees of Ayyappa ends on this day in Sabarimala with a big festival.
Shekar Moily
