Makar Sankranti
In the month of Magha, the transition of the Sun from Dhanu Rasi to Makara Rasi marks the starting of Uttarayana, which means the northern movement of Sun. The days get longer which
signifies hope and optimism.
Makar Sankranti is a time for friendship and unity which means:
Samyak Kranti - balanced revolution. Violence is replaced with understanding, love, and change in thoughts.
Sang Kranti - good company (with those who are trying to go closer to divinty), and to remove demonic qualities from self and society. This is freedom from attachments, passions, greed, egoism, allurement, anger, jealousy, envy…
Sangh Kranti - unity; everyone offers their efficiency. Use of the best of everyone and everything. Build strength through unity. Unity based on the common understanding that, “We are divine brothers under the fatherhood of God.” The people should be joined with God in the center.
“United we stand, divided we fall”
Makar Sankranti marks the victory of light over darkness. “Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya…” (Oh Lord! Lead me from darkness to light.) Light increases from this day onward as the sun moves toward the northern hemisphere.
Celebration:
Makar Sankranti is celebrated all over India, and different states call it different names.
In Sanskrit, “uttar” means north and “ayan” means movement towards. During this celebration, everyone climbs on the roofs of their homes and joyfully fly vibrant colored kites together.
In the month of Magha, the transition of the Sun from Dhanu Rasi to Makara Rasi marks the starting of Uttarayana, which means the northern movement of Sun. The days get longer which
signifies hope and optimism.Makar Sankranti is a time for friendship and unity which means:
Samyak Kranti - balanced revolution. Violence is replaced with understanding, love, and change in thoughts.
Sang Kranti - good company (with those who are trying to go closer to divinty), and to remove demonic qualities from self and society. This is freedom from attachments, passions, greed, egoism, allurement, anger, jealousy, envy…
Sangh Kranti - unity; everyone offers their efficiency. Use of the best of everyone and everything. Build strength through unity. Unity based on the common understanding that, “We are divine brothers under the fatherhood of God.” The people should be joined with God in the center.
“United we stand, divided we fall”
Makar Sankranti marks the victory of light over darkness. “Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya…” (Oh Lord! Lead me from darkness to light.) Light increases from this day onward as the sun moves toward the northern hemisphere.
Celebration:
Makar Sankranti is celebrated all over India, and different states call it different names.
In Sanskrit, “uttar” means north and “ayan” means movement towards. During this celebration, everyone climbs on the roofs of their homes and joyfully fly vibrant colored kites together.
Maharashtra- Makar Sankrant
Punjab- Lohri
Uttarakhand- Uttarayani
Bengal and Assam- Bhogali Bihu
Gujarat and Rajasthan- Uttarayan
Kerala and Tamilnadu- Pongal
Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka- Sankranthi
Tal laadu (sesame balls) - people should develop sweetness in their hearts. Each ingredient of the tal-laadu is symbolic. The tal (sesame) brings smoothness in our lives. The whiteness of the tal indicates purity. Jaggery (pure sugar cane-gur) is an indication of sweetness. Ghee (purified butter) is used to mix the three things and indicates strength of body and mind. By giving these ladoos to other we wish for these things in their lives. In Maharashtra, we say “Til gul ghya, good good bola.” This means let’s forgive and forget what has happened in the past. It is a day for making up with enemies and making good friendships. Ladu in the olden days used to have a coin in the center. This symbolizes that charity should be given silently/hidden. Also, tal serves as a binding or unifying force.
Punjab- Lohri
Uttarakhand- Uttarayani
Bengal and Assam- Bhogali Bihu
Gujarat and Rajasthan- Uttarayan
Kerala and Tamilnadu- Pongal
Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka- Sankranthi
Tal laadu (sesame balls) - people should develop sweetness in their hearts. Each ingredient of the tal-laadu is symbolic. The tal (sesame) brings smoothness in our lives. The whiteness of the tal indicates purity. Jaggery (pure sugar cane-gur) is an indication of sweetness. Ghee (purified butter) is used to mix the three things and indicates strength of body and mind. By giving these ladoos to other we wish for these things in their lives. In Maharashtra, we say “Til gul ghya, good good bola.” This means let’s forgive and forget what has happened in the past. It is a day for making up with enemies and making good friendships. Ladu in the olden days used to have a coin in the center. This symbolizes that charity should be given silently/hidden. Also, tal serves as a binding or unifying force.
On this day, everyone flies kites. As long as you have God holding the string of the kite, you remain steady and in control. But once you turn away from that which holds you then you go “out of control”. Furthermore, the individual flying the kite is always looking upwards; therefore, one should constantly be looking upward in life-trying to achieve higher goals.
“May there be greater love and light in the world!”
“May there be greater love and light in the world!”
1 comment:
i think this one was really awesome cause i never knew all these things about sankrant. Like i knew we fly kites and stuff, but the whole description about the ladoo is really tight. It shows how symbolic it is.
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