Wish
you and your family a happy Lohri, happy Pongal, happy Sankranti.
Lohri marks the culmination of winter, and is celebrated on
the 13th day of January in the month of Paush or Magh, a day
before Makar Sankranti. For Punjabis, this is more than just
a
festival; it is also an example of a way of life.Lohri celebrates
fertility and the spark of life. People gather round the bonfires,
throw sweets, puffed rice and popcorn into the flames as an
offering to the Sun God, the giver of all life, sing popular
songs and
exchange greetings.
Makar
Sankranti / Pongal : The time when the sun changes direction
from one constellation (of the zodiac) to another is known
as Sankranti.and transition of the Sun from Sagittarius (Dhanu
Rashi, 9th sign of Zodiac) to Capricorn (Makar, 10th sign
of
Zodiac) during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere
(Uttarayana) is known as Makar sankranti...
From Makar Sankranti onwards when the sun is travelling northwards,
innumerable auspicious things start happening. Climate and
atmosphere improve. Children born during this period are naturally
progressive, well mannered, pleasant and of noble
disposition. . People take dips in rivers and worship the
sun. In Gujarat, Makar Sankranti is celebrated bythe flying
of kites
Pongal
in the South and Sankranti in the North are celebrated to
mark the withdrawal of the southeast monsoons as well as the
reaping of the harvest. Pongal
festivities are spread over several days. The advent of Pongal
is associated with spring-cleaning and burning of junk, symbolizing
the destruction of evil.
Decorative designs or rangolis are traced on floors and on
the day of the Pongal, the newly harvested rice is cooked
in homes to acclaim the bounty of the gods.
Light
symbolizes the warmth, i.e., the love and affection, the quality
of the heart. In many areas of Bharat, this is symbolized
by the distribution of til-gul - the til seed and jaggery.
The til brimming with fragrant and delicious oil, stands for
friendship and comradeship and jaggery for the sweetness of
speech and behavior. The distribution of til-gul, therefore,
forms a touching aspects of the Makara Sankramana celebration.
It
is this supreme light and intelligence coupled with the warmth
of the heart alone that can ultimately lead to all-round human
harmony and happiness. Makara Sankramana gives the call for
the awakening of all the latent powers in man not only for
the flowering of his individual personality to its fullest
unfoldment but also for the well-being and glory of society
as a whole. Makara Sankramana embodies the ardent prayer of
every Hindu heart -
Asato
maa sadgamaya
Tamaso maa jyotirgamaya
Mrityormaa amritam gamaya
O
Lord, lead me from the unreal to real; from the
darkness (of ignorance) to light (of knowledge); and
from death to immortality.
Call
it Lohri, Pongal or Sankranti, the festival conveys the same
message -- the bond of brotherhood and the spirit of oneness
should prevail above everything else
With
best wishes
Chidatmananda
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