Makar Sankranti, the festival of harvest in India, is celebrated from 14 January 2011 to 16 / 17 January. Hindupad wishes you all a Happy Makar Sankranti. Today (14 January 2011) is Bhogi.. the day of bonfire (bhogi mantalu). In Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, Bhogi is celebrated with utmost pomp. It is said on this day Lord Sri Ranganatha married Goddess Goda Devi. (Note: on 15 January 2011 (Sankranti), wearing red sarees or dresses is auspicious and the special food item (naivedyam) to offer to Sun God is – Kheer (Payasam).
Apart from Bhogi mantalu, Bhogi Pallu is another famous ritual on Bhogi (In some places, it is also observed on Sankranthi). ‘Bhogi pallu’ means the gooseberry fruits along with some food items, rice, other grains, coins, are kept on heads of children and they are offered to their maids as Drishti perantam. It is believed that doing such can make the children healthier, happier, and live longer. Makarajyothi festival is held during Makara Sankramana in Sabarimala Ayyappa temple. (14 January 2011 at 6.30 pm).
On Sankranti (15 January 2011) day, Sun enters into Makara Rashi. It marks the beginning of Uttarayana punyakalam. Performing punya snana (holy dip) in holy rivers such as Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Cauvery, etc., is highly auspicious. Lord Surya is offered special puja and special naivedyam on this day. Gangasagar Mela is held during Sankranthi.
Kanuma (16 January 2011) is the third and concluding day of Makar Sankranti festival (In fact the fourth day of Sankranti is celebrated as Mukkanuma… but it is not much popular). On Kanuma day, cattle (ox, cows, buffalos, etc.) are decorated and worshipped. In some places, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati; Lord Narayana and Goddess Lakshmi are worshipped on Kanuma.
No comments:
Post a Comment