Makara Sankranthi (Indian Thanks giving to the nature)

Makar Sankranti, one of the prominent festivals of India, celebrated primarily in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra, as it marks the culmination of winter and the beginning of harvest season.

Makar means Capricorn and Sankranti is transition. There is a sankranti every month when the sun passes from one sign of the zodiac to the next. There are twelve signs of the zodiac, and thus there are twelve sankranti's as well. Each of these sankranti's has its own relative importance but this is the most important transition - the sun moves from the Tropic Of Cancer to Tropic of Capricorn, in mid-January, signalling the oncoming of summer. From this day begins the six-month long Uttarayana, considered very auspicious for attaining higher worlds hereafter.

Traditionally, this period is considered an auspicious time and the grand seer of Mahabharatha, Bheeshmacharya, who fell to the arrows of Arjuna, chose and waited for this day on a bed of arrows to die and ascend to Brahmaloka. (with his boon to choose the time of his death) It is believed that those who die in this period have no rebirth.
Legends behind Makar Sakranti
->The Puranas say that on this day Sun visits the house of his son Shani, who is the swami of Makar Rashi. These father & son do not ordinarily get along nicely, but inspite of any difference between each other Lord Sun makes it a point to meet each other on this day.

->From Uttarayana starts the ‘day’ of Devatas, while dakshinayana is said to be the ‘night’ of devatas, so most of the auspicious things are done during this time.

->It was on this day when Lord Vishnu ended the ever increasing terrorism of the Asuras by finishing them off and burying their heads under the Mandar Parvat.

->The great savior of his ancestors, Maharaj Bhagirath, did great Tapasya to bring Gangaji River down on the earth for the redemption of 60,000 sons of Maharaj Sagar, who were burnt to ashes at the Kapil Muni Ashram, near the present day Ganga Sagar. It was on this day that Bhagirath finally did tarpan with the Ganges water for his unfortunate ancestors and thereby liberated them from the curse.

The Festival
In North India, this festival is called as Lohri. A ritual bath in the river is important on this day. Khichiri is eaten and given away as charity, and People also distribute rice and lentils to the poor and needy. In Maharashtra, a special dish called tilgul, or laddoos made of jaggery and Sesame seed, the chief crop of the season, is popular.In Gujrat it is celebrated as the Kite flying day.
In South India
In the past, at least a month prior to this festival, women start decorating their neatly swept front porches, which are sprinkled with water mixed in cow dung (considered to be a disinfectant), with beautiful floral designs called 'muggulu'(rangoli or kolam). They draw artistic intricate patterns with muggu (chalk or rice flour) and compete with each other in creating the prettiest and most complicated designs you can ever hope to see. These patterns are decorated with colors and adorned with marigold flowers placed on fresh cowdung balls (gobbillu). It is a tradition for young girls to go round them singing songs called gobbi patalu. The houses are cleaned and decorated with mango and banana leaves.
The auspicious day of Sankranthi is celebrated as Pongal in Tamil Nadu.Typically in Andhra Pradesh, the festival is celebrated for four days. Bhogi, Sankranthi, Kanuma and Mukkanuma.
The first day of the festival is called ‘Bhogi’.Everyone wakes up as early as 4 in the morning and lightup a bonfire called 'bhogimanta'. In this fire, wood logs or useless wood, old broomsticks unusable clothes, etc., lying in the house and the dried cowdung balls made for the event, are burnt as a symbolism of the destruction of the evil. Also while the old items are burnt, people start drumming on a small hand-held drum which is also thrown into the fire, in the end.A small twig, with dambar on the end is prepared as the stick used for drumming.This fire also symbolises the departure of poverty and the welcoming of Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, because, during this time the farmers sell their produce and get money. After the bonfire, the elders and the youngsters take oil bath and wear new clothes.
The second day which is called 'Sankranthi' or 'Pongal' is the main day of the four-day celebration. On this day many delicacies are prepared in the household, the most important being pongali (a sweet made with rice and lentils). A Pooja (prayers) is performed to the cattle, especially the Cow. Prayers are offered to Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth) and pongali is offered as a prasadam. On this day food and new clothes are offered to the departed souls as a mark of respect. Other Mouthwatering traditional dishes cooked during this day are pulihara (tamarind rice), Kobbari boorelu, Nethi Arisellu ,parvaannam (a sweet made with rice and milk), garelu, chakralu and so on. They never appear tiresome to keep anyone away from them.
The most important and entertaining sights during Sankranthi are Gangireddu, Haridaasu and Buda-Budakkulavadu, Jangamdevara, Puliveshaalu (people dress like a tiger and perform the acts of hunting, fighting etc). Gangireddulu (beautifully decorated oxen) are taken from house to house and are made to nod their heads, as an enactment of offering a blessing. The owner of the oxen also blesses the people and performs small tricks in return for gifts of grain and clothes. Haridaasu is a
traditional singer who sings bhajans on God, praying for the welfare of the people. He goes around the streets, very early in the morning, waking people up, to start the day by chanting the name of God. Everybody treats him as a holy person. Everyone offers grain, money or vegetables etc., in return for his blessings. Buda-budakkulavadu plays an instrument which makes the sound 'buda-budakk', and thus the name. He is also respected very much and is given grain and money. Similar is the case with 'Jangamdevara'. All these people pray for the wealth and welfare of the people.

As Sankranthi marks the First harvest season of the crop hence celebrated jubilantly, Kids get a break of atleast 15 days from their school and they have great fun flying the kites in the air during their so called sankranthi holidays.
One more important aspect of Sankranti is 'bommala koluvu', which is the display of various dolls and toys. Koluvu means Durbar. Like the kings' durbar, a variety of dolls are arranged beautifully in a selected place of the house and displayed to all the guests who come to see it. Some examples of the display are Lord Krishna dancing with Gopikas, a village scene, dancing girl, cattle boy with cattle and so on. This is a ladies function. In the evening all the neighborhood ladies are invited to the koluvu to spend time together. This is called 'Perantam'. Young girls apply turmeric paste to the feet of women and offer them 'vayanam', which consists of beetle leaves, nut-powder and soaked chana (sanagalu). The newly wedded couple of the house, ie. the new son-in-laws' and daughters receive great respect and courtesy and are presented with new clothes and gifts by the parents-in-law.
Grandfathers and great grand fathers expect their next generation fellows to pay obeisance to mark the new harvest season.
Also a tradition is followed, Cock fights (Kodi-pandalu) though officially banned there are those flamboyant heads who do not care about them. People fight with cut-throat competition to prove that their Cock is the best - it’s a matter of pride.
The third day is known as Kanuma. It is primarily a festival for farmers. On this day, the farmers decorate their cattle and treat them with deep respect as a show of their appreciation in helping them harvest the crop. People pray to the Sun God and the cows during this festival. Alms are given to poor people. It is an occasion for family gatherings and happy times.As cinema is a highly popular medium in the state of Andhra Pradesh, a bounty of films, featuring the biggest of stars release on this day. The winner of this battle, is generally crowned the 'King of the Box Office' for the year.
Call it Lohri, Pongal or Sankranti, the festival conveys the same message -- the bond of brotherhood and the spirit of oneness should prevail despite all odds.
This is all about the great festival Sankranthi celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm, zest, galore and fun with family and friends, all over India.... Wishing you all good luck and a very happy pongal!