HAPPY SANKRANTHI
Sankranti is the biggest festival
celebrated in Southern part of India
and it is one of the most auspicious occasions for Hindus.This festival belongs
to Sun god and as he is regarded as symbol of divinity and wisdom, the festival
also holds an eternal meaning to it. Sankranti is celebrated almost in all
parts of India and Nepal.
It means the transmigration of sun from one rashi to another as per Indian
astronomy. Hence there are 12 Sankranthi’s in a year. They are marked in
sidereal solar calendars, Bengali calendar and Georgian calendar. Important of
the twelve is :
1. Ayan Sankranti:- Makar
Sankranti and Karka Sankranti are two Ayan Sankranti which are also known as Uttarayana(6months
time period when sun moves into Northern hemisphere) Sankranthi and Dakshinayana(6months
time period when sun moves into Southern hemisphere) Sankranthi respectively.
These are conceptually equivalent to winter solstice and summer solstice in
Hindu calendar and these Ayani Sankranti are drifting apart from seasonal Solstices
due to precision of earth. For thousands of years of time these two Ayan
coincide again with seasonal Solstices.
Makar Sankranthi:- It signifies the transition of Sun
into Makara Rashi( Capricorn) on its celestial path. Our Indian calendar is
based on lunar positions, Sankranthi is a solar event. The date of Makara
Sankranthi lies constant for a long term which is Jan 14th.
2. Maha Vishuva Sankranthi:-
This signifies the new year in the traditional Hindu Solar calendar. This is
celebrated as Vaisakhi by Sikhs and North Indians. On this day sun enters the
sidereal Aries ( mesha rashi). It is also known as Mesha Sankranthi and Pana
Sankranthi. Mesha Sankranti and Tula Sankranti are the two which belongs to
this. They are also known as Vasant Sampat and Sharad Sampat respectively.
These are conceptually equivalent to Vernal Equinox and Autumnal Equinox in
Hindu calendar and these vishuva sankranthi are drifting apart from seasonal
equinoxes due to precision of Earth. These two sankranti’s coincide again after
thousands of years.
3. Vishnupadi Sankranti:- Simha
Sankranti, Kumbha sankranti, Vrishaba Sankranti and Vrischika Sankranti are the
four which belongs to this segment.
4. Shadshitimukhi Sankranti:-
Meena, Kanya, Mithuna and Dhana Sankranthi’s are the for which belongs to this
segment.
Sankranti is a major harvest festival celebrated in various
parts of India.
Sankranthi marks the termination of winter season and beginning of a new
harvest or spring season. It is not known when exactly this festival began but
it can be traced back to the Sangam age ie 200BC to 300AD, as historians have
identified pongal with Thai Un and Thai Niradal which were
celebrated during the Sangam era. As part of the festivities, maidens of the
Sangam era observed penance during the Tamil month of Margazhi
(December-January). A major festival during the reign of the Pallavas (4th-8th
century AD) was “pavai nonbu” observed by maidens during Thai Niradal,
in the Tamil month of Margazhi. Young girls (kanyas) prayed for rain
and prosperity and avoided milk and milk products the entire month. They would
bathe early in the morning, not put oil on their head, and did not use harsh
words in their speech. They worshipped goddess Katyayani whose idol was they
made with wet sand. This penance would end on the first day of the Tamil month
of Thai (mid January - mid February). This tradition is supposed to have given
birth to the festival of Pongal.
On this day, everyone wears new
clothes, prays to God, and make offerings of traditional food to ancestors who
have died.
On the day after Makara Sankranti,
the animal kingdom is remembered and in particular, the cows. Young girls feed
the animals, birds and fishes as a symbol of sharing. Travel is considered to
be inappropriate, as these days are dedicated for re-union of the families.
Sankranti in this sense demonstrates their strong cultural values as well as a
time for change and transformation. And finally, gurus seek out their devotees
to bestow blessings on them.
This festival Sankranti is
celebrated in almost every village and town with adventurous games in South India.
Whether it is the cock fights in Andhra,
Bull fighting in Tamil Nadu or Elephant Mela in Kerala, there is huge amount of
illegal betting but the so-called "tradition" continues to play a
major role in the festival.
Another notable feature of the
festival in South India is the Haridasa
who goes early in the morning around with a colourfully dressed cow, singing
songs of Lord Vishnu (Hari) hence the name Haridasu (servant of Hari). It is a
custom that he should not talk to anyone and only sing songs of lord vishnu
when he goes to everyone's house.
During these days people from Hyderabad fly kites from terraces of their
buildings. Children and elders enjoy this kite flying occasion.
Mythological Significance:-
One of
the most important myths is the death of Bhishma Pitamaha in the Mahabharata.
Bhishma chose the Uttarayan period. (Bhisma had got a boon from his
father that he will only die when he wishes.) It is
believed that people who die during Uttarayana merges with the Brahman, thus
ending the cycle of rebirth.
Legend also has it that Lord Vishnu buried Asuras on this day beneath the Mandara Mountain. It signifies the end of evil and the dawn of righteousness.
Another legend is that
King Bhageeratha brought Ganges
down into Patala 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.
Puranas
state that on Makar Sankranti day, Surya visits Lord Shani. In mythology
Lord Shani, is the son of Surya.
Happy sankranti to you too :) Awesome post with apt info and images...
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Sindhu
Tantu
The Arts & Me
Thank you Sindhu
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