Makar sankranti, Pongal, Lohri… in India!!
Sankranti means to go from one place to another place (to changedirection). It also means one meets another. The time when the sun
changes direction from one constellation (of the zodiac) to another is
known as Sankranti. Transition of the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn
during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere (Uttarayana) is
known as Makar sankranti. Makar sankkranti is a festival with great
religious importance in india. It is celebrated in all parts of india
in different forms.
In southern India, this festival is celebrated as Pongal. In southern
it is celebrated as the harvesting time and a New Year. The day begins
with Surya Pongal or sun worship. The newly harvested corn is then
cooked for the first time. In fact, the sun itself stands for all the
ideals of the Pongal festival. Its message is that of light, unity,
equality and true selflessness. These are the ideals of Karma Yoga.
Hence, the sun is the greatest Karma Yogi. Does it ask any reward for
all that it gives to us? If it stops shedding its light, we are doomed
to death. If we learn this one lesson from the sun, our lives will
shine with divine lustre like that of the sun.
Devghat
Devghat is a confluence of river Trishuli and riverKaligandaki and is very significant religious Triveni. It is 6 Km
north of Narayanghat. Here all 7 holy Gandaki Rivers meet together
to form a Narayani River. Like Triveni of Ganges and Yamuna at
Alahabad in India Devghat is one of the main sites for the festival
of Makar Shankranti in Nepal. Many pilgrims from around Nepal and
India to immerse themselves in the river. Makar Shankrati is also
popularly known as Maghe Shankranti. It is first day of Nepali month
Magh (Mid January). In this place the demigods came to honor Lord
Vishnu when he saved Gajendra, an elephant from the attack of a
crocodile after hearing his prayers of devotion.
In western India, it is celeMakar sankranti, Pongal, Lohri… in India!!
Sankranti means to go from one place to another place (to changedirection). It also means one meets another. The time when the sun
changes direction from one constellation (of the zodiac) to another is
known as Sankranti. Transition of the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn
during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere (Uttarayana) is
known as Makar sankranti. Makar sankkranti is a festival with great
religious importance in india. It is celebrated in all parts of india
in different forms.
In southern India, this festival is celebrated as Pongal. In southern
it is celebrated as the harvesting time and a New Year. The day begins
with Surya Pongal or sun worship. The newly harvested corn is then
cooked for the first time. In fact, the sun itself stands for all the
ideals of the Pongal festival. Its message is that of light, unity,
equality and true selflessness. These are the ideals of Karma Yoga.
Hence, the sun is the greatest Karma Yogi. Does it ask any reward for
all that it gives to us? If it stops shedding its light, we are doomed
to death. If we learn this one lesson from the sun, our lives will
shine with divine lustre like that of the sun.
Devghat
Devghat is a confluence of river Trishuli and riverKaligandaki and is very significant religious Triveni. It is 6 Km
north of Narayanghat. Here all 7 holy Gandaki Rivers meet together
to form a Narayani River. Like Triveni of Ganges and Yamuna at
Alahabad in India Devghat is one of the main sites for the festival
of Makar Shankranti in Nepal. Many pilgrims from around Nepal and
India to immerse themselves in the river. Makar Shankrati is also
popularly known as Maghe Shankranti. It is first day of Nepali month
Magh (Mid January). In this place the demigods came to honor Lord
Vishnu when he saved Gajendra, an elephant from the attack of a
crocodile after hearing his prayers of devotion.
In western India, it is celebrated as a kite flying festival. Peoplewake up early in the morning, do pujas and rush towards their terraces
for flying kites. Also a rich variety of delicacies are prepared for
this festival.
In Northern india, it is celebrated as Lohri. Also At Sankranti time
great importance is attached to Ganga snaan (bathing with waters of the
river Ganges) and Surya Puja (worshipping the sun). Bathing,
worshipping gods, Havan, Japa, Fasting and Charity; each of these are
extremely holy deeds.
From Makar Sankranti onwards when the sun is travelling northwards,
innumerable auspicious things start happening. Climate and atmosphere
improve. Children born during this period are naturally progressive,
well mannered, pleasant and of noble disposition.
brated as a kite flying festival. People
wake up early in the morning, do pujas and rush towards their terraces
for flying kites. Also a rich variety of delicacies are prepared for
this festival.
In Northern india, it is celebrated as Lohri. Also At Sankranti time
great importance is attached to Ganga snaan (bathing with waters of the
river Ganges) and Surya Puja (worshipping the sun). Bathing,
worshipping gods, Havan, Japa, Fasting and Charity; each of these are
extremely holy deeds.
From Makar Sankranti onwards when the sun is travelling northwards,
innumerable auspicious things start happening. Climate and atmosphere
improve. Children born during this period are naturally progressive,
well mannered, pleasant and of noble disposition.
