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Makar Sankranti: Pilgrims take dip in Ganga

          Allahabad: Braving the winter cold, a large number of yogis, sadhus and pilgrims took holy dip in the Ganga on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti on Sunday morning. The festival is celebrated to mark the transition of the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere (Uttarayana). It is celebrated as "Maghi" (Spring season), according to the Hindu calendar. Since the festival falls in winter, the food prepared on this occasion are such that they keep the body warm and give high energy. Laddu of til made with sugarcane juice is the specialty of this festival. In Kerala at Sabarimala, it is celebrated where the Makara Jyothi is visible followed by the Makara Vilakku celebrations. In Maharashtra , people greet each other and exchange Tilache Ladoo. The married ladies arrange 'haldi kum kum', an auspicious religious get together and distribute sweets and gifts. 'Uttarayan', also known as 'Makar Sankranti', is also celebrated as a kite-flying festival in Gujarat and Rajasthan. The objective of this sport is to cut as many rival kites as possible to attain air superiority.

          This day is also celebrated as Pongal in southern part of India . Traditionally, undhiyu (a mix of vegetables and green beans) and puri are served on the festival. Other traditional snacks include chikki (a sweet peanut bar) and fruits like berries and guava. Thirteen ' Akhara' of saints will be paraded and will take the first 'Shahi Snan' (royal bath) at the Triveni Sangam (the confluence of Ganga , Yamuna and the mystic Saraswati) early on Monday. Another bathing ceremony will take place on 'Mouni Amavasya' (January 19) - it is the main bathing day for holy men where they participate in naked processions. Then it will take place on 'Vasant Panchami' (January 23). On this day people pray for a bumper harvest. 'Magh Purnima' (February 2) is the third occasion of the main bathing days. And finally, devotees will take a bath on 'Mahashivratri' (February 15-16). It is the day when devotees all over India worship Shiva. It is the fourth and final day of the main bathing days. Allahabad is one of four spots where Garuda, the winged steed of Hindu god Vishnu, is said to have rested during a titanic battle with demons over a pitcher of divine nectar of immortality. Garuda's flight lasted 12 divine days, or 12 years of mortal time, leading to the celebration of the 'Maha Kumbh Mela' every 12 years. The 'Ardh Kumbh Mela' is celebrated every six years ahead of the 'Maha Khumbh'. Legend says gods and demons fought a celestial war, spilling heavenly nectar at the confluence of three-rivers in Prayag. According to mythology, the midway point between two such celebrations is also considered highly auspicious as the position of the sun and the moon are the same as during the 'Maha Kumbh'.
- Jan 14, 2007

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