Makara Sankranti
Makara Sankranti is still celebrated on the last day of the ninth month of Poush and is a harvest festival. It is a celebration of spring on the occasion of the 'ascent' of the sun to the north (Uttarayana). In Maharashtra , Karnataka as well as parts of Andhra, Makara Sankranti is a day of good will and friendship. People exchange pieces of sugar-cane, molasses, pieces of dry coconut , peanuts and fried gram as a symbol of the need to be generous and kind to everyone.
Cows and bulls are washed, their horns painted in bright colours and garlands hung round their necks after which they are taken out in a procession to the accompaniment of pipes and drums. A bonfire is lit at night over which the animals are made to jump.
In the north, during makara sankranti it is considered particularly auspicious to bathe at the confluence of the rivers Ganga and Jamuna in Allahabad, known as Prayag and also in Ganga Sagar where the Ganga river confluences with the Bay of Bengal. The festival starts with bathing in the ponds or rivers and offering water to the Sun God (Surya) and giving alms to the poor. Bhojya daan (charity of raw food ) to the Brahmin is customary on this day. The Bhojya daan consists of an uncooked mixture of rice, dal (lentil) ghee - melted butter, cooking oil , salt and Til (sesame seeds) ke Laddoo - a sweet preparation. The Bhojya is first dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Surya and then is offered to the poor. Such deeds earn special and lasting merit and assure one a place in heaven, so goes the belief.
Women wear new clothes , new glass bangles and hold get-togethers to share sweets and gifts. A new bride is given ornaments made of sugar drops and her new relatives are invited to meet and welcome her at a Haldi (Turmeric) - Kumkum (Red Vermillion Powder) celebration.
Melas (fairs) on Makar Sankrant day are held in different places, usually near temples or water source. In many cities of the north India observe kite-flying competitions on this day near riverbanks, ponds and in big fields. In Tamil nadu , Makara Sankranti is celebrated as Pongal and in Punjab as Lohri.
- Edited by Frank Parlato Jr.
