Indian festivals always have one or another significant beyond just a celebration. Whenever I need to look for the significance, my friend Rajesh Kamath is always a right source
Here is a wonderful article from him
The True significance of Makar Sankranti and connected festivals
Social media, including our own has been full of messages (and will continue for next 2 days) for Lohri, Bhogi, Pongal, Makar Sankranti. Isn’t it interesting that the whole nation seems to be celebrating something, but with different names? In fact, it gets even more fascinating that even some South Asian countries are celebrating, But what exactly are they celebrating? Let’s investigate “festivals” first…
The context of all Indian festivals
Indians are inheritors of a culture which integrated spirituality and science with great flair. India’s underlying core belief is that there is only Universal Consciousness (Brahman) and everything emanates from that One. All forms are an expression of the divine (divya), each representing and showcasing one or many aspects of the divine qualities.
Our ancient seers (rishis) taught us, at the inner core, the human life is Sat-Chit-Anand (Existence with Consciousness and Blissfulness) and each and every activity in life is meant to lead the individual to that One goal of existential realization. Our customs, our traditions our very way of life is to help the individual coexist with the family harmoniously and realize that goal in every step of the journey. Nature is not separated from the human existence. Celebratory events developed by our realized ancestors (rishis) are in synch with the cycle of nature (rita) and aimed at developing and nurturing relationships with family, friends and neighbors. Thousands of years ago, the Indian festivals (utsav) spread throughout the Indian-subcontinent and in the east as far as Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia and in the west as far as America, as recorded by Mayans in South America.
Makar Sankranti
Sankranti signifies "Sacred Change" . India celebrates major cosmic changes, such as the transmigration of the sun from one zodiac sign (Rashi) as Sankranti. Of the twelve sankrantis, Makara Sankranti on January 14th/ 15th is the most significant; the sun passes through the winter solstice, from the Tropic of Cancer (Dhanu) to the Tropic of Capricorn (Makar). We witness cosmic, astronomical harmony and prayerfully honor this scientific Truth. The six months of northern movement of the sun is followed by six months of southern movement.
As the earth starts its northward part of the rotation (called Uttarayan), it brings the promise of a harvest of abundance and happiness in many parts of India. and the northern hemisphere around the world. The Harvesting season of the Rabi crop starts. Along the river Ganga in places like Ganga Sagar (where the river Ganga meets the Bay of Bengal) and Prayag/Allahabad millions of people bathe to honor the comingling of one life force (Sun) with another (water). Makar Sankranti is celebrated in myriad ways. Prayers of thanks and gratitude are offered to the Sun for a good harvest. On this day, many pray to the deity of education (Saraswati) for clarity of mind. The festival highlights the importance of withdrawing from unethical and disturbing behavior.
The Legend
As per our Puran, on this day the Sun God Surya meets his son Shani (Saturn -Lord of Capricorn) even though they are very different in nature, so this is the day for a special father-son relationship. It is the son who has the responsibility to carry forward his father’s dream and the continuity of the family. From Makara Sankranti the Gods (devatas) day will start, while southward movement of the sun (dakshinayana) is said to be the ‘night’ of devatas. Hence Uttarayana is also called as Devayana, and the dakshinayana' is called Pitrayana. As per Mahabharata, Bhishma told his purpose for finally releasing his sufferings on this day. He had a boon for death from his father so he kept lying on the bed of arrows till will.The person, who dies during the period of Uttarayana becomes free from rebirth, is the belief. Also, Bhagirath brought Ganges down to his Pitrus (ancestors) on Makara Sankranti day. This was to get salvation to his ancestors who were cursed by Sage Kapila and turned into ashes. On this day millions of people take bath in the Ganges. Makara Sankranti is also an important bathing date during Kumbh Mela and Magh Mela.
Kites are flown in many parts of the subcontinent. Kite flying while lot of fun to young at heart, conveys a deeper message that God is the Sutradhara — holding the string of man. Tensions of push and pull (of life) allow the kite to fly higher. If He lets it loose, the kite cannot fly.
Bhogi festival:
In Andhra Pradesh, Sankranti is called 'Pedda Panduga' which is the big festival. The Festival is of three days, the first day Bhogi, the second day Sankranti, the third day Kanuma. Bhogi festival comes prior to Makara Sankranthi Festival in india. The Bhogi was derived from Sanskrit word Bhog. Bhog means revelry/ enjoyment. The Legend is that on this day goddess Godadevi is married Lord Vishnu their married life is called as Bhogi.
Significance:
‘Makar’ = crocodile. Sankranti=‘change.’ The ‘Makara’ represents the material world (Samsara) and ‘Sankranti’ is a change to get away from the seizure of the material world. Makara Sankranti is basically a celebration of a cosmic event spanned with human life.Sun enters from one zodiac to another. The sun is for knowledge, spiritual light and wisdom. Makara Sakranti tells us we should turn away from the darkness we live, and let the light within us joyfully shine brighter. The Sun removes darkness and guides for the light of knowledge. People should learn to develop purity, wisdom and knowledge.
Science of Health
Making sweets like Sweet Pongal, Sesame burfee, Ariselu and Sesame Laddu is to keep Calcium & Iron levels in body as prescribed by our ancestors. Eating Sesame shall provides body heat, strength and muscularity and high on nutritional values. Sesame seeds contains more calcium than milk. Sesame contains more iron, copper, magnesium , phosphorus, zinc, protein, fiber and vitamin like B1, E. Sesamolin from sesame has the power to reduces high blood pressure and helps liver against damage. Jaggery is an excellent source of iron as compared to spinach. It is healthier when compared with sugar as it contains more vitamins and minerals (iron, potassium, magnesium and phosphorous). cough, migraine, cold, asthma, fatigue and indigestion can be cured from jaggery.
Sankranti is celebrated all over South Asia with some regional variations. It is known by different names and celebrated with different customs in different parts of the country.
In Bharat it is known by different regional names
1. Makar Sankranti : Chhattisgarh, Goa, Odisha, Haryana, Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, West Bengal
2. Pongal, Uzhavar Thirunal : Tamil Nadu
3. Uttarayan : Gujarat
4. Maghi : Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. A day before, people of Punjab celebrate Lohri.
5. Bhogali Bihu : Assam
6. Shishur Saenkraat : Kashmir Valley
7. Khichdi : Uttar Pradesh and western Bihar
8. Makar Sankramana : Karnataka
In other countries too the day is celebrated, but under different names and in different ways.
Wish you and your family Shubh Makar Sankrant/ Bhoghi/ Pongal!
Compiled by Rajesh Kamath
Co founder , More Than HR Global
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