|
From this day the Sun-God, the Surya, starts
His journey northwards, leading to increase in the day duration
and decrease in the nights.
Makara Sankranti generally falls on the 14th of January. From
this day till the time the sun leaves the northern sign, ‘Karka’
or Cancer, he is said to be in Uttarayan, and later till he
again reaches ‘Makara’ or Capricorn, the period is called
Dakshyanayan.
These two periods correspond with the vernal and autumnal
equinoxes, dividing the year into two equal parts.
The Sanskrit word “Shankramana” means “to begin to move.” The
word ‘Sankrant’ means crossing. On this day the sun completes
the crossing of ‘Dhan Rasi’ and begins to cross ‘Makar Rasi’ or
the sign of Capricorn. Hence this festival is called the Makar
Sankrant. From this day the Sun-God, the Surya, starts His
journey northwards, leading to increase in the day duration and
decrease in the nights.
The period of the Uttarayan is considered lucky by the Hindus,
as it is believed that from this date Day begins in the regions
of the Gods and Night in the realms of the rakshasas (demons).
It is heralding of the bright sunshine in life and lessening of
its darker aspects. Food on this happy occasion is called Pongal
in Tamilnadu and Khichdi in North India.
Again, Sankranti is a goddess having large and protruding eyes,
loose and long hair. She is described as wearing a long flowing
garb made of one piece of one material and of one colour. From
this day of Sankranti, the goddess is supposed to begin her
journey over the world in order to destroy evil in it.
So, this festival is mostly observed by ladies. Ladies offer til
(sesamum) laddoos made from jaggery or sugar and while offering,
especially in Maharashtra, it is customary to say, “Tilgul ghya,
gode gode bola” i.e. “Accept the tilgul and speak sweetly”.
There is a custom also called ‘Oti Bharan’.This revives old
friendship and also creates new bonds. Even men too exchange
tilgul with their friends.
Among the Tamilians in South India this festival of Makar
Sankranti is called Pongal which ushers in the New Year.
It is closely connected with agriculture since the newly
harvested corn is cooked for the first time on this day, so this
day is also very auspicious.The most important part of Pongal
festivity is the eating of the newly harvested cooked rice.
Pongal, it is said, takes its name from the surging of rice when
boiled in milk.
The pot in which the rice is cooked is beautifully decorated
with turmeric leaves and roots, the symbols of auspiciousness.
When the milk in the pot of cooking rice boils over, the ladies
and children surround the pot and joyfully cheer “Pongalo Pongal.”
Pongal is a three day festival, the first -the Bhogi Pongal, the
celebrations being confined to the household only.
The second the Surya Pongal which is in honour of the Sun-God
when cooked rice is offered to the Sun-God. Friends visit each
other and ask by way of greeting “Is it cooked?” The answer is
always “Yes it is.”
Prayers are offered and there is family festivity. Symbolically,
the first harvest is offered to the Almighty and that is Pongal.
The third day is Mattu Pongal or the Pongal of the cattle.
Cattle are decorated and fed with the cooked rice.Competitions
pertaining to bull-fights take place during this time.
Makar Sankrant has a special significance. For, the Sun
symbolising knowledge, wisdom and spiritual light, which had
receded from us placing us in darkness or ignorance, now turns
on its northward course spreading the message of intellectual
illumination.
This six month period when the sun travels northwards is highly
considered favourable to aspirants and lucky. Bhishma,
grandfather of the Pandavas, when fatally wounded in the
Mahabharata war, waited on his death-bed for this Uttarayana
period before giving up his life.
The origin of the festival narrates the story of Kripi the
virtuous and chaste wife of the learned Sage Dronacharya.
Once when Dronacharya goes to collect ‘samidhas’ or sticks to
light up the sacrificial fire, Durvas Muni visits his Ashram and
is received with great respect by Kripi. She tells the Muni that
they are childless and are very poor owning only an old cow. She
requests him to show her the right path to obtain happiness.
The Muni advises her to oberve the Sankaranti day which consists
in having a bath in the Ganges by rubbing her body with til
seeds and then offering of curds to a Brahmin. He quotes the
example of Yashoda, the wife of Nanda, who by performing this
act was blessed by a son, the great Lord Krishna.
The Sun having entered the sign of Makar that very day, he
advises her not to lose time in doing this and making him the
gift. She does as desired and by this meritorious act is
eventually blessed with the renowned son named Ashvatthama and
lives happily.
Even now thousands of Hindus go to the sea to bathe escorted by
a Brahmin priest. They perform the same deed of rubbing
themselves with sesame, with chanting by the priest as
prescribed in the Shastras and then offering of money and gifts
to the priest.
Besides alms giving, Brahmins are invited at home and presented
with tilapatras, or cups of bell metal filled with seasamum and
money according to their means. Sesamum laddoos are distributed
to friends and sometimes til seeds are also sent by post to
relatives and friends with good wishes.
A large fair is held at Allahabad where many pilgrims go to
bathe at the junction of the Ganges and Jamuna rivers and making
offerings.
Makar Sankrant is given much importance by the Hindus in
Maharashtra, North India and South India (Pongal). In
Maharashtra til is used, may be due to the belief that it is
able to ward off evil spirits.
To a Guru this is the auspicious period to bestow his Grace on a
disciple. It is learnt it was during this period that Mahadeva
blessed many Rishis with His beatific vision. The birth of Swami
Vivekananda on Sankranti day is the indication of removing the
lengthy nights of ignorance and the birth of a luminous era of
Hinduism.
|
