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Makara literally means 'Capricorn' and Sankranti
is the day when the sun passes from one sign of the zodiac to the next. The Sankranti
of any month is considered auspicious as it signifies afresh start. However Makara
Sankranti is celebrated in the month of Magha when the sun passes through the
winter solstice, from the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn.
According to Hindu mythology, one 'human' year of 365 days is equivalent to one
day and night of the gods. Saur Varsh (solar year) is the period of during which
the earth completes one circle of the sun. This going in circular from round the
sun is called as Kranti Chakr (zodiac). Dividing this into twelve months makes
twelve rashis (signs of zodiac). These have been named according to twelve constellations.
The movement of one zodiac sign into another is called Sankranti. Earth in Northern
direction (Uttarayana) is called Makara Sankranti and Southern as Kark Sankranti
(Dakshinayana). The movement of the sun from the northern tip to the southern
tip during Shravan to Posh (July to December) is Dakshinayana and from Magh to
Aasadd (January to June) from southern tip to northern tip is Uttarayana. The
days are longer during uttarayana and are brighter. The opposite happens during
dakshinayan. |
According to Hindu scriptures, uttarayana
period is gods day and Dakshinayan their night. Makara Sankranti marks the beginning
of the day of the gods, which is equivalent to six solar months and is believed
to be the auspicious part of the year. The previous six months, considered the
night and therefore symbolic of darkness and evil, are inauspicious. Thus Makara
Sankranti is the morning of the gods. On Makara Sankranti to receive the offerings,
the gods and deities come to earth. On this day sacred souled religious people
enter samadhis and give up life to achieve salvation and attain swarga (heaven).
Makara Sankranti is believed to be the time when Surya rides his chariot, drawn
by seven horses, from the southern skies to the north. For the pastoral people
therefore, it is of prime importance for it signifies the end of the winter and
the 'turning back' of the sun to the north. This festival has been celebrated
for thousands of years. Initially, this was probably a festival celebrated in
the cold climate, when people prayed for the warmth of the sun. In all likelihood,
the Aryans celebrated it, and continued to do so after migrating to India. Today,
Makara Sankranti is celebrated throughout India as a harvest festival. It is a
way of giving thanks to the elemets 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. In North India, a ritual bath
in the river is important on this day. In fact, bathing is considered mandatory
on this day, and according to a popular local belief in the hills of Uttar Pradesh,
one who does not bathe on Makara Sankranti is born a donkey in his next birth.
The belief probably originated in cold climates to compel some of the more reluctant
people to observe certain rules of hygiene. Khichiri is eaten and given away as
charity, and some call the festival Khichiri Sankranti. People also distribute
rice and lentils to the poor and needy. In Maharashtra, a special dish called
tilgul, or laddoos made of jaggery and Sesame seed, the chief crop of the season,
is popular. |
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A big fair is held at the confluence
of the Ganga, the Yamuna and the Sarasvati rivers at Triveni in Allahabad (Uttar
Pradesh) on this occasion. Being the month of Magha, this fair is also called
Magha Mela. Apart from Triveni, ritual bathing also takes place at many places
like Haridvar and Garh Mukteshwar in Uttar Pradesh, and Patna in Bihar. Since
it is also the season to fly kites, the evening sky is awash with colorful kites
of all shapes and sizes. Several kite competitions are held in various localities.
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