by dinjos12 on Sun Jan 18, 2009 1:00 pm
Astrological Significance:
Makar means Capricorn and Sankranti is transition. Transition of the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn, during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere is known as Makar Sankranti. sankranti is a solar event, so while dates of all festivals keep changing, the english calendar date of Makar Sankranti is always same, 14th January. Makar Sankranti is celebrated in the Hindu Calendar month of Magha. There is another significance of this day, after this day the days start becoming longer & warmer, and thus the chill of winter in on decline.
Culture & Festivities:
This festival is celebrated differently in different parts of the country and aboard.
Nepal:
In Nepal , Sankrant is called ‘Maghi’.
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand celebrate this festable as ghugutia
Uttar Pradesh:
In Uttar Pradesh, Sankrant is called ‘Khichiri’. A big one-month long ‘Magha-Mela’ fair begins at Prayag (Allahabad) on this occasion.
Bengal:
Bengal celebrate as “TILUA SANKRANTI” In Bengal every year a very big Mela is held at Ganga Sagar
Tamil Nadu:
In Tamil Nadu Sankrant is known by the name of ‘Pongal’
Andhra Pradesh:
In Andhra Pradesh, it is celebrated as a three-day harvest and sun festival “Panduga”
Maharashtra:
Maharashtra on the Sankranti day people exchange multi-colored tilguds made from til and sugar and til-laddus made from til and jaggery.
Gujarat:
In Gujarat Sankrant is observed more or less in the same manner as in Maharashtra but with a difference that in Gujarat there is a custom of giving gifts to relatives.
Kite flying has been associated with this festival in a big way. It has become an internationally well-known event.
Punjab and Himanchal:
In Punjab the event of Sankrant is celebrated as "LOHARI".
Kerala:
The 40 days anushthana by the devotees of Ayyappa ends on this day in Sabarimala with a big festival.
Bundelkhand:
In Bundelkhand and Madhya Pradesh this festival of Sankrant is known by the name ‘Sakarat’ and is celebrated with great pomp & merriment accompanied by lot of sweets.
Tribals of Orissa:
Many tribals in our country start their New Year from the day of Sankrant by lighting bonfires, dancing and eating their particular dishes sitting together. The Bhuya tribals of Orissa have their Maghyatra in which small home-made articles are put for sale.
Assam:
In Assam, the festival is celebrated as Bhogali Bihu.
Coastal Region:
In the coastal regions, it is a harvest festival dedicated to Indra.