Sankranti or Sankranthi marks the transition
of the Sun into Makara rashi (Capricorn) on its celestial path. Traditionally,
this has been one of many harvest days in India.
Owing to the vast
geography and diversity of culture in India, this festival is celebrated for
innumerable reasons and in innumerable ways depending on the climate,
agricultural environment, cultural background and location. On this day
children fly kites.
Date and significance:
Sankranti is the Sanskrit word in Hindu Astrology which
refers to the transmigration of the Sun
from one Rāshi (sign of the zodiac) to another. Hence there are 12 such
sankrantis in all. However, the Sankranti festival usually refers to Makara
Sankaranti, or the transition of the Sun from Dhanu rashi (Sagittarius) to
Makara rashi (Capricorn).
For this purpose, the
signs and houses of the zodiac are calculated using sidereal time, not
tropical. As such it does not account for the Earth's precession. The festival
therefore takes place around 21 days after the winter solstice (between
December 20 and 23) that marks the starting of the phenomenon of 'northward
apparent migration of the sun' or Uttarayana, literally meaning northward
journey of Sun.
Considering the winter
solstice marks the beginning of the gradual increase of the duration of the
day. Scientifically, the shortest day of the year is around December 21–22
after which the days begin to get longer, hence actual Winter Solstice begins
on December 21 or December 22 when the tropical sun enters Makara rashi. Hence
actual Uttarayana is December 21. This was the actual date of Makar Sakranti too.
But because of the Earth's tilt of 23.45 degrees and sliding of equinoxes,
Ayanamsa occurs. This has caused Makara Sankranti to slide further over the
ages. A thousand years ago, Makar Sankranti was on December 31 and is now on
January 14.
While the traditional
Indian Calendar is based on lunar positions, Sankranti is a solar event. So
while dates of all Hindu festivals keep changing as per the Gregorian calendar,
the date of Makar Sankranti remains constant over a long term, 14 January.
Makar Sankranti is celebrated in the Hindu Calendar month of Magha.
Makar Sankranti is a major harvest
festival celebrated in various parts of India. According to the
lunar calendar, when the sun moves from the Tropic of Capricorn to the Tropic
of Cancer or from Dakshinayana to Uttarayana, in the month of Pausha in
mid-January, it commemorates the beginning of the harvest season and cessation
of the northeast monsoon in South India.
The movement of the Sun
from one zodiac sign into another is called Sankranti
and as the Sun moves into the Capricorn zodiac known as Makar in Hindi, this occasion is named as Makar
Sankranti in the Indian context. It is one of the few Hindu Indian
festivals which are celebrated on a fixed date i.e. 14 January every year [or
may be sometimes on 15 January during leap years].
Makar Sankranti, apart
from a harvest festival is also regarded as the beginning of an auspicious
phase in Indian culture. It is said as the 'holy phase of transition'. It marks
the end of an inauspicious phase which according to the Hindu calendar begins
around mid-December. It is believed that any auspicious and sacred ritual can
be sanctified in any Hindu family, this day onwards. Scientifically, this day
marks the beginning of warmer and longer days compared to the nights. In other
words, Sankranti marks the termination of winter season and beginning of a new
harvest or spring season.
All over the country,
Makar Sankranti is observed with great fanfare. However, it is celebrated with
distinct names and rituals in different parts of the country. In the states of
northern and western India, the festival is celebrated as the Sankranti day with special zeal and fervor.
The importance of this day has been signified in the ancient epics like Mahabharata also. So, apart from
socio-geographical importance, this day also holds a historical and religious
significance. As it is the festival of Sun God and he is regarded as the symbol divinity and wisdom, the festival
also holds an eternal meaning to it.
According to the
Puranas, on this day Surya(Sun) visits the house of his son Shani(Saturn), who
is the lord of the Makar rashi(Zodiac Capricorn). Though the father and son duo
did not get along well, the Surya made it a point to meet his son on this day.
He, in fact, comes to his son’s house, for a month. This day thus symbolizes
the importance of the special relationship between father and son.
From Makar Sankranti
starts the ‘day’ of devatas(Gods), while dakshinayana (southward movement of
the sun) is said to be the ‘night’ of devatas, so most of the auspicious things
are done during this time. Uttarayana is also called as Devayana, and the
dakshinayana' is called Pitrayana.
Maharaja Bhagiratha,
performed great penance to bring Ganga down to 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[clarification needed] with the Ganges water for his unfortunate
ancestors and thereby liberated them from the curse. After visiting the
Pataala(underworld) for the redemption of the curse of Bhagirath’s ancestors
the Ganges finally merged into the sea. A very big Ganga Sagar Mela is organized every
year on this day at the confluence of River Ganges and the Bay of Bengal.
Thousands of Hindus take a dip in the water and perform tarpan for their
ancestors.
Another well-known
reference of this day came when the great grand-sire of Mahabharata fame,
Bhishma, declared his intent to leave his mortal coil on this day. He had the
boon of Ichha-Mrityu(death at his will) from his father, so he kept lying on
the bed of arrows till this day and then left his mortal coil on Makar Sankranti
day. It is believed that the person, who dies during the period of Uttarayana,
becomes free from transmigration (rebirth). So this day was seen as a definite
auspicious day to start a journey or endeavours to the higher realms beyond.
Makara Sankranti
identifies a period of enlightenment, peace, prosperity and happiness followed
by a period of darkness, ignorance and viciousness with immense sorrow. The six
months of northern movement of the sun is followed by six months of southern
movement.
Makar Sankranti is one
of the most auspicious days for the Hindus and is celebrated in almost all
parts of India in myriad cultural forms, with great devotion. Millions of
people take a dip in places like Ganga Sagar (the point where the river Ganges
meets the Bay of Bengal) and Prayag and pray to the Sun God (Surya). It is
celebrated with pomp in southern parts of India as Sankranti (Pongal in Tamil
Nadu), and in Punjab as Maghi.
In the western Indian
state of Gujarat, the celebrations are even bigger. People offer thousands of
their colorful oblations to the Sun in the form of beautiful kites. The act
stands as a metaphor for reaching to their beloved God, the one who represents
the best. In the rural and coastal areas, cock fights are held and is a
prominent event of the festival. Makara Sankranti is also to honour, worship
and to pay respect to Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge). At the start of this
significant event, there is also worship for the departed ancestors.
COURTESY: en.wikipeorgdia.
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