Dear bloggers,Happy Pongal/ Sankranthi to you and your family.
Makar Sankranti, also known as Sankranti or Makara Sankrant, is one of the highly auspicious days in a Hindu calendar and the day is dedicated to the worship of Lord Surya (Sun God). Makar Sankranti is the day when the sun enters into the zodiac Capricorn or Makara. It is also known as Uttarayana Punyakalam and heralds the arrival of spring season. In 2010, the date of Makar Sankranti is January 14. In Haridwar, during the Kumbh Mela 2010 it is a famous bathing date.
Lord Surya is worshipped on the Makar Sankranti day and is a form of Nature Worship. A major event on the day is the bathing ritual at Sangam (confluence of Yamuna, Saraswati and Ganga) in Allahabad and also in the famous bathing ghats on River Ganga. Taking a holy dip on the day is considered to cleanse sins committed and this will lead to Moksha (Salvation).
Uttarayana Punyakalam, the day time of Devas, begins with the Makar Sankranti and lasts for six months. This period is ideal for all kind of auspicious activities.
Makar Sankranti is observed throughout India by all communities but with slight variations in the festivities.
In Bengal, Makar Sankranti is noted for the Ganga Sagar Mela and Pithey parban.
Bhogali Bihu is celebrated on the day in Assam.
Makar Mela is observed in Orissa.
In North India, it is the time of Lohri.
In Central India, it is Sankranti.
In Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti is observed as Pongal.
In Andhra Pradesh, it is known as Sankranthi.
In Kerala, the famous Sabarimala Pilgrimage comes to an end with sighting of the Makaravilakku.
In Gujarat and Rajasthan, it is known as Uttarayan and is noted for the kite flying event.
It is an important bathing date during the famous Magh Mela and Kumbh Mela at Sangam (Prayag) in Allahabad.
Lord Surya is worshipped on the Makar Sankranti day and is a form of Nature Worship. A major event on the day is the bathing ritual at Sangam (confluence of Yamuna, Saraswati and Ganga) in Allahabad and also in the famous bathing ghats on River Ganga. Taking a holy dip on the day is considered to cleanse sins committed and this will lead to Moksha (Salvation).
Uttarayana Punyakalam, the day time of Devas, begins with the Makar Sankranti and lasts for six months. This period is ideal for all kind of auspicious activities.
Makar Sankranti is observed throughout India by all communities but with slight variations in the festivities.
In Bengal, Makar Sankranti is noted for the Ganga Sagar Mela and Pithey parban.
Bhogali Bihu is celebrated on the day in Assam.
Makar Mela is observed in Orissa.
In North India, it is the time of Lohri.
In Central India, it is Sankranti.
In Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti is observed as Pongal.
In Andhra Pradesh, it is known as Sankranthi.
In Kerala, the famous Sabarimala Pilgrimage comes to an end with sighting of the Makaravilakku.
In Gujarat and Rajasthan, it is known as Uttarayan and is noted for the kite flying event.
It is an important bathing date during the famous Magh Mela and Kumbh Mela at Sangam (Prayag) in Allahabad.
In 2010, date of Makar Sankranti in Maharashtra is January 14. It signifies the onset of Uttarayan or Uttarayana Punyakalam and is a major celebration all over India. In Marathi culture, on Makar Sankranti day people exchange grains of multicolored sugar balls and fried til (sesame) mixed with molasses (til gul).
Makar Sankranti is the season of the first sugarcane harvest in Maharashtra. The sugarcanes are ready to be made into fresh jaggery and this is reflected in the sweets distributed during the period.
In many regions in Maharashtra people wear black colored dress on Makar Sankranti day. As per Hindu customs and traditions, it is inauspicious to wear black but since it is winter black is worn on the day to keep the body warm. A lot of importance is given to til (sesame seeds) due to the same reason. Sesame seeds (Til) are used to combat the cold in winter, as sesame contains oil which is healthy. This once again proves the wisdom of ancient Hindus who insisted on a particular type of food during a particular season.
So friends, relatives and neighbors exchange Til Gul on the day and say ‘til gud ghya, god god bola’ – let there be only friendship and good thoughts between us.
Each region in Maharashtra has a particular custom associated with Makar Sankranti and its roots can be traced to farming and the harvest season.
Another major highlight on the day is kite flying. During the season colorful kites dot the skies in the region.
Makar Sankranti is the season of the first sugarcane harvest in Maharashtra. The sugarcanes are ready to be made into fresh jaggery and this is reflected in the sweets distributed during the period.
In many regions in Maharashtra people wear black colored dress on Makar Sankranti day. As per Hindu customs and traditions, it is inauspicious to wear black but since it is winter black is worn on the day to keep the body warm. A lot of importance is given to til (sesame seeds) due to the same reason. Sesame seeds (Til) are used to combat the cold in winter, as sesame contains oil which is healthy. This once again proves the wisdom of ancient Hindus who insisted on a particular type of food during a particular season.
So friends, relatives and neighbors exchange Til Gul on the day and say ‘til gud ghya, god god bola’ – let there be only friendship and good thoughts between us.
Each region in Maharashtra has a particular custom associated with Makar Sankranti and its roots can be traced to farming and the harvest season.
Another major highlight on the day is kite flying. During the season colorful kites dot the skies in the region.
courtesy: Hindu-Blog.
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