Hindu
festival Makara Sankranti begins
| |
Devotees
taking a dip in Ganga at Sangam, Allahabad |
Allahabad/
Varanasi: Celebrations marking the Hindu festival of Makara Sankranti began
in the holy cities of northern India on Monday, January 14. In Allahabad thousands
of devotees braved the winter chill to take a dip in the holy Ganga amidst tight
security. The festival of Makara Sankrati celebrates the northward journey of
the sun as it enters a new zodiac, which coincides with the beginning of longer
days of sunlight.
The
festival of Makar Sankranti is also marked by kite-flying. The skies are dotted
with innumerable colourful kites of various shapes and sizes to celebrate the
festival. In Uttar Pradesh, Makara Sankrati is called 'Khichiri'. A large number
of people takes a dip in the holy rivers and pray to God Sun. 'Til' has a special
significance on this day. 'Tilkut', 'Tilba' and other forms of 'Til' are also
taken with 'Chura' and also with 'Khichiri'. It is celebrated with pomp in southern
parts of the country as 'Pongal'. It is very popular particularly amongst farmers.
Rice and pulses cooked together in ghee and milk is offered to the family deity
after the ritual worship. In Punjab, huge bonfires are lit on the the eve of Makara
Sankrati , which is celebrated as 'Lohri'. Sweets, sugarcane and rice are offered
to the bonfires, around which friends and relatives gather together. The following
day, which is Makara Sankrati, is celebrated as 'Maghi'. Then they sit down and
eat the sumptuous food that is specially prepared for the occasion. Makar Sankranti
marks the end of a long winter with the return of the Sun to the Northern Hemisphere
and hence the name Uttarayan.
In
New Delhi, President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh extended
their greetings to fellow citizens on the occasion of Makara Sankranti and Pongal,
the two festivals being celebrated with much gaiety and fervour. Pongal is the
New Year Day of Tamil Nadu, a southern state. President Patil said in her message:
"On the occasion of Makara Sankranti and Pongal, I extend my greetings and felicitations
to all my fellow citizens and wish them happiness and prosperity. Makara Sankranti
and Pongal are days of great festivity and rejoicing. May these festivals bind
each one of us in fraternal love and affection and inspire us to work for the
unity, progress and well being of our nation." Dr. Singh in his greetings said:
"The festivals are a strong symbol of our shared ethos and culture. These harvest
festivals, celebrated across the country, bring the promise of growth and prosperity.
May this year's Lohri, Makara Sankranti and Pongal bring good luck and happiness
in all our lives."
January 14, 2008
