[FAO] Warm Greetings On Pongal & Makar Sankranti






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Makar Sankranti (Uttarayana)
On January 14 the sun enters the rashi Capricorn (Makar). This is known as Makar Sankranti. Sankranti means the entry of the sun from one zodiac to another.
Eighty years ago, this event fell on 12th or 13th January. In the future it will progress to 15th, 16th and so on. From the south the sun shifts northwards, hence the day is also known as Uttarayan. Daylight hours increase from this day. The actual Sankranti occurs in an extremely short period.
The sun's Sankranti also occurs in other rashis, as do other planets. However, only the sun's Sankranti into Makar is considered auspicious and meritorious. According to Jaimini Rishi, 12 hours and 46 minutes pre-and-post Sankranti are considered sacred. During this time-span, the cow, edible food, money, vehicles, clothes, flowers or grass are donated to Brahmins, the poor and ascetics; resulting in infinite punya(merits).
Uttar Path
'Uttar path' - the north is considered redemptive - the path to mukti while the south is Lord Yama's path (king of Hell). The south symbolizes mundane life - 'Bhautikvaad.' It is the path of spiritual degradation. The north is the path of spirituality - 'Adhyaatma.'
Ritual
During Makar Sankranti it is a tradition for thousands of pilgrims to bathe in Prayag, at the confluence of three sacred rivers; Gangaji, Yamunaji and Saraswatiji, known as Triveni Sangam.
In south India, the eve of Makar Sankranti is known as 'Bhogi.' All the waste bric-a-brac in the house is heaped in the front and burnt.
Makar Sankranti is also known as Pongal. 'Pongal' means 'to overflow.' Rice is cooked in milk and the rice is allowed to flow over the rim. The symbolism is that one's home should brim with wealth.
In Gujarat, grain from the new harvest is used to cook 'khichdo'.
Cows and trees are also offered pujan since man's existence depends on them.
People forget and forgive ill will. For this, they ritually offer each other food balls made of sesame seed and jaggery.
This is common in Maharashtra too. In east India, at Gangasagar, thousands of pilgrims throng to Kapil Muni's ashram on this day for darshan.
Adults, children, even aged men and women, spiritedly fly kites all day.

 


                                                                                                                                                                                                                       



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