New Year’s just over but it’s really just a calendar event that we commonly celebrate with fireworks and new resolutions. In India, there’s a lot happening at this time of the year. It’s a fruitful and eventful communal gathering – Makar Sankranthi. It’s time to come out and feel the pristine atmosphere.
Between 13th and 17th January, India is animated with a series of festivals collectively known as Makar Sankranthi. It’s a festival for appreciating everything that’s happened in the past solar cycle and advancing with a fresh attempt in the life process. The festival mainly constitutes of Bhogi and Sankranthi(otherwise known as Pongal or Lohri).
Astronomically, Sankranthi marks the completion of a solar cycle and signifies the arrival of long days(as winter wraps). Hence, on the first day of the celebration, people emerge on the dark dawn streets for Bhogi.
Bhogi
Early morning, before the deity Surya shines in glory, people meet at the streets in the cold climate and they burn all the unnecessary things in the house for a fresh beginning. Within close distance to the fires, they cuddle together in the heat while the streets glow in an orange beauty.
On this day, the house is washed, cleaned and decorated for a fresh look. Additionally, the area is reconsecrated with lush green mango leaves, the year’s first set of paddy, and colourful celebrations to bring a new vibrancy.
Surya Pongal
On Surya Pongal day, women wake up early and draw beautiful kolam in the doorway. These are large patterns, created with rice flour, that are filled with colours and flowers at the entrance. Usually, throughout the celebration, these patterns fill the streets in the form of charming blooms.
In addition, the pongal sweet is cooked(generally in a pot) which entices me to celebrate Pongal every day. It’s a sweet made with rice, dhal and sugar and is accompanied by many other delicious dishes which make my day with just one meal. Normally, the sweet is prepared in the courtyard in large gatherings and the pot is decorated attractively with sugarcane plants, flowers and vibrant colours.
Mattu Pongal
In most villages, where the festival sparks with virescence, the honouring of all the animals that make the agricultural process happen, takes place. The bulls and cows are worshipped and decorated with colourful garments and accessories.
During this day everyone joins for a community meal with the freshly harvested grains and people celebrate in ascension for a great farming season.
Throughout the celebration, the energy is a blast with the family and communal gathering, flying kites, kids playing games and prayers and rituals taking place.
With all the joyous communal gatherings, festive sparks, appetizing meals and colourful vibrancy, Sankranthi is a festival you cannot miss. The four days of perpetual celebration is all it takes for a fresh beginning. Let the colour cherish within you in a glorious Makar Sankranthi!
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