Makar Sankranti is one of the most important and auspicious festivals in India and marks the end of the winter season.
Introduction
Makar Sankranti is one of the most important and auspicious festivals celebrated in India. It symbolizes the end of the winter season. In a few states of India, it is observed by a variety of religious communities. Hindus, though, are the majority who observe it.
Makar Sankranti 2023:
Makar Sankranti is celebrated on the 14th of January every year, but in 2023 it is celebrated on the 15th of January. This is because the Hindu calendar follows a lunar cycle and the dates of festivals are adjusted accordingly. On this day, Hindus take an early morning bath and offer prayers to their gods and goddesses. Special dishes such as kheer, puran poli, and laddoos are prepared and distributed among family and friends as a symbol of joy and happiness.
Rituals of Makar Sankranti
The festival marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Makara (Capricorn) and the end of winter, welcoming the arrival of spring. Taking a dip in holy rivers is a popular tradition on Makar Sankranti. People visit rivers such as the Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, and other significant rivers to purify themselves and bring good luck for the year. This ritual is believed to wash away sins and pay homage to the sun god, the source of energy and life.
Relation between farmers and Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is a harvest festival too, it marks the end of the Rabi crop season and the start of the harvest season. People thank the sun god for the abundant harvest and pray for another good harvest in the coming year. In some areas, farmers offer the first grains of the harvest to the sun god.
Regional forms of Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is also known by several names in different regions of India, including Magh Bihu in Assam, Poush Sankranti in West Bengal, Uttarayan in Gujarat, Khichdi in Uttar Pradesh, Ghughutia in Uttarakhand, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, and Maghi in Punjab.
Magh Bihu
The people of Assam, a northeastern Indian state, celebrate Magh Bihu, also known as Bhogali Bihu. It is one of the most important festivals. It marks the end of the harvest season by celebrating with food, music, and dance in the month of January. Assamese Hindus do rituals early in the morning in honor of the Agni Devta on this day. It is thought that beginning on this day, all evil deeds cease and a new warm season is welcomed.
Magh Bihu is a festival with a tradition of building temporary huts called “Bhelaghar” using bamboo and thatch. The hut is built in fields and is used as a place for community gatherings and feasts. It is said that the tradition of building these huts started when farmers lived in the fields during the harvest season to protect their crops from wild animals. Also, a special structure called “Meji” is built near the “Bhelaghar” using bamboo, wood, or thatch.
The day before Magh Bihu is known as Uruka. On the day of Uruka, the preparation of traditional foods is a significant custom related to Magh Bihu. To commemorate the day, special dishes including vegetarian and non-vegetarian items, varieties of pitha (a sweet made from rice flour), and coconut ladoo are prepared. These meals are produced in bulk and served to family, friends, and the local community.
On the Uruka night, the elder members of the community perform religious rituals in the Bhelaghar.
On the day of Makar Sankranti (Magh Bihu), the youngest members of the community take an early bath, and they then join to burn the “Meji” in the early morning before the sun rises. This is a ritual to Agni Devta, the god of fire, and people worship Agni Devta to end evil deeds for the rest of the year.
All ages take an early bath and visit the Namghar (prayer house) to offer prayers. After visiting Namghar, they pay respect to the Sun God, Surya Devta, and the God of Fire, Agni Devta. This tradition of taking an early bath, visiting the Namghar, and consuming prasad is an integral part of Makar Sankranti celebrations and is deeply rooted in the cultural and religious practices of the people of Assam.
Magh Bihu is a time for music and dance. People gather to play traditional instruments and enjoy the whole night.
Poush Sankranti
Poush Sankranti is an important festival in West Bengal that is celebrated in the month of January and is one of the most popular festivals in the region. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and involves several traditional customs and rituals.
On this day, the local people of West Bengal dress up in their traditional attire and gather together to celebrate Poush Sankranti. A large fair is held at the banks of the Ganges River, where people come together to enjoy traditional folk music, dance, and other cultural activities.
The most important part of the festival is the exchange of sweets, known as ‘Poush Parbon’. People visit each other’s houses and exchange sweets as a sign of love and friendship. During this time, people also exchange colorful ‘Poush Phool’ (flowers) as a token of good luck.
The festival ends with a grand feast, where people enjoy a variety of delicious dishes such as ‘payesh’ (rice pudding) and ‘luchi’ (fried flatbread). People also offer ‘prasad’ (offerings) to deities and seek their blessings.
Poush Sankranti is a great opportunity to experience the vibrant culture and traditions of West Bengal. It is a time for joy and celebration, as people come together to celebrate the spirit of the season.
Uttarayan
Uttarayan is a big Indian festival celebrated on January 14th every year. It marks the sun’s transition into the zodiac sign of Capricorn. It’s celebrated in different ways across India but the most famous is in Gujarat, where it’s a two-day public holiday.
Uttarayan is a celebration of spring and the end of winter. People come together to enjoy the warmth and beauty of the new season. They fly colorful kites from rooftops, streets, and open spaces. The sky is filled with kites of all shapes and sizes creating a beautiful and festive atmosphere.
The tradition of kite flying on Uttarayan is said to have started in Gujarat. It is believed that farmers first celebrated it to mark the end of the Rabi crop season and the start of the harvest season. Today, kite flying is a popular pastime and a symbol of the festival.
Uttarayan is also a day of religious significance. Hindus believe that the sun God, Surya, starts his journey towards the northern hemisphere, bringing warmth and light of spring. They observe this day by taking a dip in holy rivers and performing puja (worship) to the sun God.
Uttarayan is also a time for feasting and socializing. People gather with friends and family to enjoy traditional foods like undhiyu and tilgul.
In conclusion, Uttarayan is a unique and joyous festival celebrated with enthusiasm. It brings people together to celebrate the coming of spring and the end of winter. It’s not only celebrated in Gujarat but also in different parts of India and around the world by the Indian diaspora.
Pongal
The celebration of Pongal, a four-day-long harvest festival, embraces the arrival of spring and the end of the winter solstice in the state of Tamil Nadu. This ancient festival unites people to partake in traditional customs and relish delectable delicacies.
Bhogi Pongal, the first day of Pongal, families rejuvenate their homes by cleaning and decorating them, and bidding farewell to old possessions and clothes. They light a bonfire, Bhogi Mantalu, which symbolizes the end of the past and the start of the new.
On Surya Pongal, the second day, the Sun God is honored with prayers and gratitude for a bountiful harvest. People prepare Pongal, a sweet dish made of rice, dal, and jaggery, and offer it to the sun god as a token of appreciation. They also adorn their homes with Kolam, a traditional geometric pattern made from rice flour.
Mattu Pongal, the third day, is dedicated to cows and bulls, people decorate and worship them and participate in Jallikattu, a traditional bull-taming sport.
On the fourth and final day of Pongal, Kaanum Pongal, people visit friends and family, exchange gifts and sweets, and cherish each other’s company.
Farmers also join in the celebrations as Pongal marks the end of the harvest season and the start of a new one, it’s a time to express gratitude for the bountiful harvest and pray for a good harvest in the coming year.
Pongal brings people together, regardless of caste, creed, or religion, to celebrate the richness and diversity of their culture. So, come and join in the vibrant celebration of Pongal.
Maghi
Maghi is a traditional festival in Punjab that marks the start of the month of Magh. It’s celebrated with great excitement by the Punjabi community.
One unique part of Maghi is Lohri, a festival of lights, where people gather around a bonfire, sing, dance, and exchange sweets.
Another unique aspect of Maghi is traditional sports competitions, like wrestling and kabaddi, which show off the strength and skills of the Punjabi people.
Maghi is also a time for sharing food. People make traditional Punjabi dishes like sarson ka saag and makki ki roti and share them with friends and family.
In summary, Maghi is a special festival in Punjab that marks the start of Magh month. It’s celebrated with traditional sports, the Lohri festival, and delicious food. It celebrates Punjabi culture, strength, and community and is a must-experience for anyone visiting Punjab.
Conclusion
Makar Sankranti, is a festival celebrated across India with great excitement and joy. It marks the triumph of good over evil and the arrival of a new season of hope and prosperity. The way of celebration may vary in different regions, but the essence remains the same. People come together, fly kites, feast, and socialize with friends and family. This festival is not just celebrated in India, but also by the Indian diaspora across the world.
