|
14 January is celebrated in India as Makar
Sankranti - heralding the transition of the sun into the Northern hemisphere.
This festival is celebrated in the month of 'Magh'
and is a harvest festival. Sakranti means the
time when the sun changes direction from one constellation (of the zodiac) to
another.
Though the festival is celebrated differently in the country,
People throng to the holy rivers in large
numbers for the sacred dip. The Kumbh Mela is held on this auspicious day once
every 12 years at Prayag in Allahabad. Among the Tamilians in South India
this festival is called the Pongal,
from whom it ushers in the New Year. The day begins with Surya
Pongal or sun worship. The newly harvested corn is then cooked for the first
time.
In Gujarat and other western states, people observe Uttarayana, when the
winds change, by flying kites. The winter sky bursts into colour with thousands
of paper kites. The festivities conclude with a winter feast.
In Maharashtra, people dress in new clothes and distribute sesame sweets,
it is significant to note that Til seeds (sesame seeds) and jaggery are
used everywhere. Obviously, to combat the chilly winter, being soft, exchanging
til seeds or products made from til means an exchange of love and tender
feelings.
|
