Festivals in January

[Guest guest]

I am posting a brief introduction to one of the

festivals in this month. This is celebrated in different

ways across India and I request members to share their

experience of this another event, meant to bring community

together in celebration and gratitude for the abundant

manifestations of the Divine Spirit.<br><br>"Makar Sankranti --

An Introduction <br>The festival of Makar Sankranti

traditionally coincides with the beginning of the Sun's

northward journey (the UTTARAYAN) when it enters the sign

of Makar (the CAPRICORN). It falls on the 14th of

January every year according to the Solar Calendar. This

day has a very special significance because the day

and night on Makar Sankrant are of exactly of equal

hours. This day is celebrated as a festival right from

the times of the Aryans and is looked upon as the

most auspicious day by the Hindus.<br>The evidence of

this festival being lucky is found in our great epic

Mahabharat wherein it is told that the great warrior-hero,

Bhishma Pitamaha even after being wounded and lying on

the bed of arrows, lingered on till Uttarayan set in,

to breathe his last. It is believed that the person

who dies on this auspicious day of Sankrant escapes

the cycle of birth and re-birth and that his soul

mingles with the Almighty.<br><br>This festival is

celebrated differently in different parts of the country yet

the use of til that (sesame) is found everywhere. Til

and rice are two important ingredients of this

festival. In the rice-eating belt of Bihar and eastern

Uttar Pradesh, people have a special rice-centric meal

on this day. Til contain lot of oil and they

therefore have a quality of softness in them. Therefore,

til being soft their exchange means exchange of love

and tender feelings.<br><br>Makar Sankrant is also

celebrated throughout India as a harvest festival. It is a

way of giving thanks to the elements of nature that

help man. This is the period when the winter recedes,

paving the way for the summer. It is the time the

farmers bring home their harvest. In the coast al

regions, it is a harvest festival dedicated to Indra. In

Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, it is celebrated as a

three-day harvest festival Pongal. In Assam, the festival

is celebrated as Bhogali Bihu, and in Punjab it is

called Lohri."<br><br>Looking for more from members.

<br><br>_/\_ Tat twam asi<br><br>Uma