Pongal or Sankranthi Celebrations in India on 14th Jan and 15th Jan 2008.
Literally meaning "Boiling over", Pongal, signifies the advent of prosperity. Pongal is normally celebrated over a period of four days, starting on the 13th January. Since the calculation to determine the day is based on the solar calendar, the date doesn't change. It is considered a very auspicious occasion when the Sun transits the Capricorn sign. The festival marks the harvest of crops and a special thanksgiving to God, the sun, the earth and the cattle.
Bhogi is the first day of Pongal celebrated in honor of Lord Indra, "the God of Clouds and Rains" is also known as Indran (bhogi). Legends say that on this day that Lord krishna lifted the Gobardhan mountains on his little finger. Lord Indra is worshiped for the abundance of harvest, there by bringing plenty and prosperity to the land. On Bhogi all people clean out their homes from top to bottom, and collect all unwanted goods. This day is meant for domestic activities and of being together with the family members.
It's a pleasure to exhibit to our readers the first harvest of 'Elakki' Balehannu known in Kannada, and in English it is referred as Sweet Banana (sweeter than all other varieties) grown in our fruit garden which is in the backyard of our home. This breed is abundantly grown in Karnataka, shelf life is more than pacche balehannu or cavandish banana and exported largely for its taste.These are usually very small, 1.5 to 4 inches, very sweet & tasty.
In Karnataka, Pongal is known as 'Sankranti', and cows and bullocks are gaily decorated and fed 'Pongal'- a sweet preparation of rice.People distribute Yellu and bella (Sesame seeds and Jaggery) and greet with the words " “Ellu bella thindu, Olle Maathu Aadu” (Eat sesame seeds and speak only good). The significance of this exchange is that sweetness should prevail in all the dealings.
In Maharashtra on the Sankranti day people exchange multi-colored tilguds made from til (sesame seeds) and sugar and til-laddus made from til and jaggery.While exchanging tilguls as tokens of goodwill people greet each other saying – ‘til-gul ghya, god god bola’ meaning ‘accept these tilguls and speak sweet words’. The under-lying thought in the exchange of tilguls is to forget the past ill-feelings and hostilities and resolve to speak sweetly and remain friends.
Tomorrow is the 'Sankranti festival' where sweets are distributes to neighbourhood, friends and relatives and lo' the Indian series of festival begins with this first festival of the year 2008.
For more details on 'Sankranthi' , pleast visit this link.
No comments:
Post a Comment