[Ashok Sharma]

It may be  Sankaranti, Pongal, Lohri or Bihu… but they all celebrate the same thing – harvest.  Makara Sankaranti is the transition of Sun, marking its journey towards northern hemisphere. It is celebrated through out India, though with varied festivities.  There is a lot of singing and dancing. Special including til ke laddu are prepared, elaborate flower decorations are laid out and kite flying has also become an important part of the festival…. Happy Sankaranti

 

C O M E  ,  C E L E B R A T E   T H E   “ S U N ”

 

Know  your festival :  At the end of the week India will celebrate its harvest festival :  Sankranti in A.P., Bihar, Jharkahnd, Karnataka, M.P., M.S. , Orissa, U.P.,  and West Bengal. Pongal  in Tamil Nadu.  Lohri in Punjab.  Bhogi Bihu in Assam.

 

There are 12 Sankrantis,  since the sun moves through all the zodiacs at some point of the year. But the most important Sankranti – celebrated as a festival – is the one that’s the one falling on the 14^th of this month.  Makara Sankranti or the sun’s transition from Dhanur Rashi ( Sagitarius ) to Makara Rashi ( Capricorn ), which marks Uttarayan or sun’s northward journey bringing it closer to the northern hemisphere.  The festival is an important  symbol of harvest and a reminder of man’s move to a settled agrarian life . Hence the sun’s movements becomes important.

 

Different states,  different  cultures ,  different  styles :

 

Uttar  Pradesh :  Makara Sankranti is the beginning of the month long Magh Mela at Allahabad.  People take holi dip in the Sanham on this day. Sweets mainly prepared with Til ( sesame ) e.g.  Gazak, Rewari, Til-bugga, Til-laddu etc are eaten during this festival. In the hilly areas of Uttranchal ,  Ghugutia welcomes the birds back from winter migration. Sweets are made in the form of drums, knives, swords are strung into necklace. Bits are brocken off to offer the birds as the children sing a folk song Kala Kauva. In Madhya Pradesh it is celebrated on similar lines.

 

West Bengal :  Ganga  Sagar  ( where the Ganga meets the Bay of Bangal ) is the scene of huge mela. A special sweet called Pithey is made from freshly harvested paddy, Khejur Gur, coconut and milk.

 

Maharashtra &  Gujarat :  This is time to give and forget. People exchange til sweets  with the words :  Til gul guhya ,  god god bola.  Women have special   haldi- kumkum get-togethers.  Gujarat also host kite festival at this time and Ahamdabad is known for the International Kite Festival during Makara Sankranti .

Orissa :  Makar Mela is held at number of places including Cuttak, Puri and Balasor.  The special dish here is Makar Chaula made of uncooked newly harvested rice, banana, coconut, paneer and milk. The Bhuya tribals have a Magha Yatra in which they sell home made items. Bonfires are lit and community feasts are the orde of the day.

 

Tamil Nadu :  A three days festival in T.N.  First day is Boghi when all old and unwanted stuff in the house is cast off  and burnt with leftovers from fields. Now days Boghi bonfires are a major cause of air pollution in the cities. Sankaranti is Pongal. A pot of milk and rice is boil over signifying  prosperity. The third day is Mattu Pongal – is when farmer’s friend, the cow, is worshipped.  Andhra Pradesh follows a similar line.

 

Karnataka :  The festival here has similarities with that of both Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. Like Maatu Pongal , there is a day worship cattle. Like Maharashtra & U.P. sweets made out of til is eaten.

 

Punjab :  Lohri is celebrated on the eve of Makara Sankranti. Rewri, Poopcorn, Sugar Cane, Peanut, Rice Bali etc. are thrown into huge bonfires, and people dance around it and sing traditional folks song. Later, along with dinner rewri, popcorn, peanut etc, is given to every one attending the bonfire.

 

Assam :  here Sankaranti is celebrated as Bhogali Bihu.  A huge bonfire     ( meji ) built mostly by stealing firewood from their respective area or community. On Sankranti day the bonfire is lit and community feast is held.  Later the ashes are thrown on the fields and orchards to increase  fertility.

 

 

MAKAR   SANKARANTI   KA  PARV

 

SHUBH  AUR  MANGALME  HO

 

PYAAR  KE  SATH

 

Ila  &  Ashok

 

 

Mithe  gud  me  mil  gaya  til

Udi  patang  or  khil  gaya  dil,

Har  pal  sukh  or har din  shanti

Aap  sabhi  ko  hamari or  se

* * HAPPY  SANKRANTI * *