Today is the festival of Makar Sankranti. This festival depends on the position of the Sun and not the Moon. Generally all festivals in India are based on the lunar calendar. On this day the Sun enters the Makar Rashi or Capricorn as it travels its celestial path in the heavens. It is a religious festival and a harvest festival. It also has material and spiritual significance.
This day signifies the end of Dakshinayana – the period of six months which is the night of Gods. During this time it is considered inauspicious to die. On the day of Makar Sankranti, the Uttarayan starts – the period of six months which is the day of Gods. In the Epic of Mahabharat, Bhisma PitaMaha lay on bed of arrows waiting for the period of Dakshinayana to get over and Uttarayana to begin, so that he could leave his body. Today is also the day when Mother Ganges followed King Bhagirath and entered into the ocean and her purifying waters gave salvation to the thousand sons of King Sagara. On this day thousands of people take bath in GangaSagar for sanctification of self. On this day, Sankranti – a Deity killed a demon called Sankarasur.
Makar Sankranti is also a harvest festival in most parts of India. Newly harvested rice is cooked in fresh sugarcane juice and offered to the Sun and cows in South India. This dish is called Pongal. In North India, the freshly harvested rice and pulses are made into a spicy salty dish called Kichidi. In Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh people exchange sweets made of sesame seeds and gur and request each other to have sweet speech. In Gujarat, people fly kites from dawn to dusk and nowadays also at night time. Punjabis call this festival Lohri and they make bonfires and throw rice and sugarcane into it. They also dance the famous dance of Bhangra and eat sumptuous food prepared for this occasion. Most of the states of India celebrate this festival in their special ways, customs and traditions. There is gaiety and festive atmosphere everywhere.
Capricorn is the sign of Saturn. On this day the Sun enters the sign of Capricorn - the sign of Saturn. As per Indian legends, Saturn is the son of Sun. The father goes to meet his son in his home. Both these planets are mighty and powerful. Their blessings are very auspicious. We gain both material and spiritual success with the blessings of Sun and Saturn. On this day Sun and Saturn are worshipped.
On this day from dawn to dusk, the atmosphere is flooded with Divine Consciousnesses or Chaitanaya. These higher vibrations boost spiritual practices. When we do our routine japa and dhyana on this day and also extra practices, we are blessed with greater results.
Having a holy dip in the sacred waters of Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri at the revered places situated on the banks of these rivers is considered auspicious and of high spiritual merit. People also offer donations and perform meritorious deeds on this day as it is considered fruitful.
The festivals of India and also the festivals over the world have originated from the position of stars and planets in their heavenly routes. When there is a change in the levels of vibrations due to changes of planets and stars in heavens, festivals are celebrated. Along with celebrations of food, clothes and gaiety, people are encouraged to pray, meditate, visit holy spots and donate to needy. In India, festivals are a regular and integral part of daily lives of the people. The festivals weave colourful strands of celebration along with golden strands of grace and worship in our lives. Let us celebrate the festivals with a spirit of thanksgiving.
