The Sun enters the Makar raasi (the zodiac sign of Capricorn - the
goat), on Sankranti day, signifying the onset of Uttarayana Punyakalam,
which means the sun, begins it journey northwards. Sankramana means "to
commence movement" and hence the name Makar Sankranti has been given.
The period is also considered an ideal time for aspirants to satisfy
"the goals of life". Very significant however, the day preceding Makara
Sankranti is when people discard old and derelict things and concentrate
on new things causing change or transformation. The spiritual
significance of Makara Sankranti is the remembrance of the incarnation
and descent of Lord Shiva on earth to protect the virtuous, destroy the
evil, re-establish dharma and the New World of the golden age.
It clearly identifies a period of enlightenment, peace, prosperity and
happiness followed by a period of darkness, ignorance and viciousness
with immense sorrow. The six months of north movement of the sun is
followed by six months of southern movement. This is the same analogy as
the Kingdom of Rama that lasts for half the world cycle followed by the
Kingdom of Rawan for the other half of the cycle. The kingdom of Rama is
called heaven, paradise, Rama rajya, the day of Brahma or the day of
Shiva and the period of happiness. The kingdom of Rawan is called hell,
Rawan rajya, the night of Brahma or the night of Shiva or the period of
sorrow. The northern six months movement is symbolic of the golden and
silver ages, whereas the six months southern movement represents the
dark ages of copper and iron.
This same festival is celebrated as Pongal in the South of
India. Harvest is brought home the new rice is then boiled in milk to
make the sweet called "chakrapongali", the special cuisine of the eve.
This harvest festival is celebrated for 3 days. The delicacy is first
offered to Sun God, the chief deity under worship, that is later
distributed to all as prasadam. The harvest is celebrated as being
blessed with Dhanyalakshmi and a splendid feast is shared by all after
the Ishta Devatha pujas.
Traditionally, this period is considered an auspicious time and the
veteran of Mahabharata chose to die during this period. Bhishma fell to
the arrows of Arjuna. With his boon to choose the time of his death, he
waited on a bed of arrows to depart from this world only during this
period. Sri Bhishma Pitamaha waited on the bed of arrows till the
"Uttaraayana Punyakaalam" has arrived, and then breathed once more, for
the last time. It is believed that one escapes the cycle of repeated
birth and death, if one gives up one's body on this day. The uttarAyaNa
(norther course of the Sun) was traditionally considered more auspicious
than the dakshiNAyana (southern course of the Sun). Over the years, this
led some to believe that dying during dakshiNAyana, the southern path of
the sun, was inauspicious and did not lead to moksha - release - liberation.
*Lohri* is the Indian version of an annual *thanksgiving day*
and an extremely popular *harvest festival* in India, especially
Northern India.
kites are seen soaring high in the sky on the day of Makara Sankranti.
This is symbolic of the existence of mankind, with the kites depicting
the human lives and the manza depicting the eternal bond between us and
the divine self.
First they make the string with the glass in it to cut the other kites stings.
Then the put the string on large spools
Then the sell it for 450ruppies $11.25 USD. There is alot of string on this spool.
Regional variations
Makar Sankranti is celebrated all over India and Nepal with some
regional variations:
- In North India,
- In East India,
- Bihar - Sankranti
- West Bengal and Assam - Bhogali Bihu
- Gujarat and Rajasthan - Uttarayan (Kite flying festival)
- In South India,
- In Tamilnadu - Pongal
- In Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh *- **Sankranthi*
- Makara Vilakku Festival in Sabarimala Temple
Other parts of India as Makar Sankranti
- In Nepal,
- Tharu people - Maghi
- Other people - Maghe Sankranti or Maghe Sakrati