Ariselu,
Pongal, Boorelu, flying kites, playing cards and hanging out with family and
friends as you watch Bogi mantalu… That’s what many of us look forward to
For the
western society in simple terms it resembles the harvest festival like
Thanksgiving sans the gift. Many of us have forgotten or not aware of what the
significance, true meaning and purpose this festival serves. It’s my effort to
unearth the significance of this important festival
Sankranti is termed one of the
biggest rural/pro-agro festivals. It’s a three day festival comprising of
Bhogi, Makara Sankranti and Kanuma
Astrological Significance:
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 hence twelve sankranti's as well. Each of these sankranti's has its own relative importance but two of these are more important - the Mesh (Aries) Sankranti and the most important, the Makar (Capricorn) Sankranti. Transition of the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn, during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere is known as Makar Sankranti. From this day begins the six-month long Uttarayana(northern migration of sun), considered very auspicious for attaining higher worlds hereafter. It is believed that a person who dies during the Uttarayana has a better chance of reaching heavens than during the winter solstice.
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. Five thousand years later, it shall be by the end of February, while in 9,000 years it shall come in June.
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 or 15 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.
The Mahabharata Reference:
Bhishma, on this day declared his intent to leave his mortal body. He had the boon of "Ichha-Mrityu" (choose when to die) from his father, so he kept lying on the bed of arrows till this day and then left body on Makar Sankranti day. It is believed that the person, who dies during the period of Uttarayana, becomes free from transmigration. So this day was seen as a sure-shot Good Luck day to start your journey or endeavors to the higher realms beyond.
Cultural Significance:
The purpose of human is beyond just birth, eating, reproduction and death. Human's are the supreme most beings on this plan and for a reason.Humans are unique from others for the very reason that they have elevated intelligence allowing them to purify their souls and proceed towards greater austerity and eventually nirvana(path towards the supreme soul). But with all the routine and materialistic needs, human’s need to break from these and start concentrating on larger purpose of life - attaining spiritual wisdom to understand the meaning/purpose of life and move towards divinity.
Astrological Significance:
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 hence twelve sankranti's as well. Each of these sankranti's has its own relative importance but two of these are more important - the Mesh (Aries) Sankranti and the most important, the Makar (Capricorn) Sankranti. Transition of the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn, during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere is known as Makar Sankranti. From this day begins the six-month long Uttarayana(northern migration of sun), considered very auspicious for attaining higher worlds hereafter. It is believed that a person who dies during the Uttarayana has a better chance of reaching heavens than during the winter solstice.
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. Five thousand years later, it shall be by the end of February, while in 9,000 years it shall come in June.
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 or 15 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.
The Mahabharata Reference:
Bhishma, on this day declared his intent to leave his mortal body. He had the boon of "Ichha-Mrityu" (choose when to die) from his father, so he kept lying on the bed of arrows till this day and then left body on Makar Sankranti day. It is believed that the person, who dies during the period of Uttarayana, becomes free from transmigration. So this day was seen as a sure-shot Good Luck day to start your journey or endeavors to the higher realms beyond.
Cultural Significance:
The purpose of human is beyond just birth, eating, reproduction and death. Human's are the supreme most beings on this plan and for a reason.Humans are unique from others for the very reason that they have elevated intelligence allowing them to purify their souls and proceed towards greater austerity and eventually nirvana(path towards the supreme soul). But with all the routine and materialistic needs, human’s need to break from these and start concentrating on larger purpose of life - attaining spiritual wisdom to understand the meaning/purpose of life and move towards divinity.
The Dhanur-masam month (as
per the Indian Lunar calendar / typically mid Dec to mid Jan) is called as
Shoonyamasam (null/void/nill month). This month has been named so because this
is the duration where humanity doesn’t have the benefit of the guidance from
the Sapta-rishis (7 masters who administer the entire creation on God’s behalf
and guide all life) as they sit for meditations throughout this month, after
handing over the charge of administration to another batch of Rishis. This is
the month where the Saptarishis give all their focus and attention to spiritual
activities, hence since time immemorial, humans also kept aside all material
pursuits and focused on spiritual pursuits throughout this month.These new
Rishis bring with them very special energies, new knowledge and also educate
humanity on newer ways of living, at a different level. All these factors
provide major opportunities for spiritual growth, which when properly utilised
can help us make faster progress.
This was the reason why no
auspicious activities like house warming, marriages or business ventures were
taken up in this period, thus allowing the individuals to focus on their
spiritual growth. Everyone starts to prepare for upcoming events and auspicious
time during this month. During this month people are expected to wake up at 3am
have a complete head-to-toe bath and dress up traditionally. Women clean up the
front-yard with cow-dung water, prepare Rangoli with small cow dung
balls(Gobeamma) placed in the rangoli. One is think of divinity and have
devotional thoughts while engaging in this activities.
Unique People Visiting homes
1. Hari-Dasu (Servant of Lord Hari/Vishnu)
Unique People Visiting homes
1. Hari-Dasu (Servant of Lord Hari/Vishnu)
Specialty of this season
are Hari-dasu. They are considered as representation of Naradha-rishi
swaroopam. Uniquely Hari-dasu comes in the early hours of the morning unlike
the beggars, nor he begs “Biksham dehi”. He rather sings devotional songs and
praising Gods while trying to awakening the spirituality within us by reciting
the Hari kertana. This helps us to set the tune for rest of the day remembering
God and songs dedicated to almighty. This indirectly supports us being engaged
in our spiritual journey for the rest of the year. Hari-dasu carries a rounded
pot/bucket (bindhe) on his head where grains are offered there. The rounded pot
represents earth where one plants seeds which get multiplied once the crop is
harvested. Hari-dasu while accepting symbolizes that Hari-dasu was born to
accept alms because he has in past rejected offering the same. Symbolically it
means that as long as one donates in this life they will always be in a
position to donate rather than seek alms in their next lives. Hence the Telugu
saying “Enadoo peti putaadu” translated as “He is one who donated benevolently
earlier that he born prosperously”
2.Gangi-re-edhu Varu (People of Holy Vehicle of Shiva Ganga - Ox)
2.Gangi-re-edhu Varu (People of Holy Vehicle of Shiva Ganga - Ox)
Gangiredhu, the holy OX is
another unique way of respecting the animals in this festival. The names means
vehicle of Ganges river which also is a
vehicle of Parvathi Parameshwarulu. Ox is born out of the holy Cow and thus
consider equally holy. The cow is revered for its peaceful and austere nature,
while feeding us with its own milk and help us grow. All of the cow’s excreta
is either used as fertilizer and pesticide, while the cow was the centre of all
farming (it’s the one which helped plough the land, carrying loads, pounding
and extracting grains, milled seeds to oil etc. For all this reasons the Ox is equally
revered in our agrarian society and brought home while the harvest season is
complete. Families give it back old clothes in the house while aarti is offered
to it.
3. Sooth sayers and Fortune tellers
Also unique to this time are Budubukala varu (folk fortuneteller/Oracles) and Sodhi chepevaru (folk soothsayer) visit the houses offering advice on future events and how the rest of the year is going to be like.
Unique Practices during the month
6. Village Sports
Though these hold no cultural significance, these events showcase the valor and traditional (brutal) ways of having fun. Bull fighting, bull riding, bull races are common violent sports that dates back to the Indus Valley civilisation. Jallikattu is a form of bull wrestling that is celebrated in the villages of Tamil Nadu on Mattu Pongal (the third day of Pongal). The villages of Palamedu and Alanganallur near Madurai are renowned to host the bloodiest jallikattu.
For people in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Sankranti is incomplete without cockfights and, like in the past, a ban could not prevent them from betting millions of rupees on it this time either.
Leading the violation of the ban were powerful politicians of all hues, who consider cockfights a part of the culture of the coastal Andhra region. The participants included film personalities and businessmen. An estimated Rs5 billion ($340 million) change hands as thousands of people watch & bet during the cockfights.
Also unique to this time are Budubukala varu (folk fortuneteller/Oracles) and Sodhi chepevaru (folk soothsayer) visit the houses offering advice on future events and how the rest of the year is going to be like.
Unique Practices during the month
1. Rangoli / Muggu (Decorative artwork on the floor at the entrance of the house)
Rangoli is
a timeless tradition that is followed all over India. Rangoli is also known as
alpana, aripoma, or kolam. Rangoli patterns are usually made using
coloured chalk, rice powder, and crushed limestone. A rangoli
is always made by hand and all designs are carved out using the fingers. A line
is usually drawn using a single finger, like a pencil. In some cases, a pattern
may be outlined using dotted movements, which are joined together at the end.
Once a pattern is formed, the desired colours are
filled in.
Scientific Significance: The powder used in making rangolis attracts many
insects and bacteria like ants and keeps them outside instead of entering the
house. Additionally the limestone in the powder can kill many of the organisms
which consume this. Additionally the turmeric being applied on the lower door
frame acts as a disinfectant/anti-bacterial agent and helps keeping potential
harmful insects and microorganisms from entering the house
Health Significance: It takes a lot of stamina, flexibility,
endurance and concentration to create a design. During the process the women
are almost most of the time kneeling down while artistically shuffling the
colours and powder to create the pattern. This process is supposed to improve
the flexibility, endurance and concentration levels after few weeks of this
practice everyday. It also promotes concentration, focus and dedication to the
task at hand.
Themes and Learning: The bare minimal rangoli which every girl starts
off is a nine box rangoli which signifies the nine planets and with sun placed
in the middle signified by bright flower, turmeric and kumkum. This is to
showcase the importance of sun and the central life giver of life and
dependency of other planets on the Sun. There are lots of themes with certain
meanings while creating these designs.
Personality
Assessment: The
rangoli patterns same as an artwork speaks volumes about the personality of the
woman who has created it. A rangoli which uses thin lines (careful not to over
use the powder) signifies a person who is modest and realistic and doesn’t
overspend. A person who completes her task fast and in a neat fashion has an
excellent awareness of significance of time and is dedicated as well skilled in
her art. A very well made and intrinsic patter signifies that the person loves
decorations and an admirer of beauty. A person who overspends time and redoes
is considered either a novice or lacks the patience or concentration levels to
achieve the task at hand.
2. Gobbemaa (Cow dung balls) on the Rangoli
This is
tradition of remembering Goda Devi / Andal (Only 15year old girl Alvar of the
12 Alvar saints in India)
and Shri Krishna’s Gopikas. As per the mythology Gopa Devi refused to marry any
earthly man and accepted that Lord Krishna was her husband. She lead a life
similar to Gopika of Krishna who accepted him as their saviour and husband and
dedicated their lives to him. During this month the Gobbemma balls are made of
cow dung are made reflecting the holiness, purity and sacredness of these women
and equally them to the holy cow. To these cow dung balls turmeric, kumkum and
other seasonal flowers are offered to reflect that these women are recognized as
married and whose husbands are with them thus elevating there austerity.
Scientific
significance: The
cowdung balls after a full day use are not discarded off; instead these are
saved and dried to be burnt later. The ashes arising out of this is mixed with
herbs like basil or neem to be used for various skin ailments against fungal
and bacterial conditions.
3. Bhogi Pallu / Regi Pallu shower (Goosberries)
Another
tradition is to show the kids at home with Bhogi pallu (gooseberries) by the
community /family/neighbours. The kids receive blessings of health and
prosperity during this occasion. Regi pandu(gooseberries) is called arka phalam
(Sun’s Fruit), during this occasion we are reminded ourselves of the
significance of Sun as a provider or health and life. Thus symbolically we are
seeking blessings from the Sun God for the young kid.
4. Bhogi Fire (Bonfire)
The
practice of setting up community bonfire in the middle of the street has got a
lot of health significance. On one day and one time all of the community sets
to set ablaze a fire with old clothes, rugs, furniture and any unusable
material in the houses. Thus, with the fire trying to destroy any accumulated
bacterial, fungal, microbial infestations carried over from the cold and wet
months. Also the warmth of the fire and smoke helps clear the atmosphere of
harmful organisms by the heat and fire. This helps the whole community in
cleansing their areas of potential sickness borne of viruses and bacteria.
5. Bride Selection/shortlisting
during the festival season
During this
season the parents of grooms scour for brides for their sons. The festival
throws an opportunity for the parents to see, understand, assess and even
compare the young women and pick one as per the aspirations. The rangoli
personality, the enthusiasm with which they participate in the functions, the
way they address there friends, elders and strangers is well observed and
projects a decent amount of personality profile for the parents to make
choices. These age-old practices of personality profiling based on cultural and
tradition is in one way more successful than the present day practices of
choosing partners based solely around the education, job and salary earned,
while ignoring the personality aspects
6. Village Sports
Though these hold no cultural significance, these events showcase the valor and traditional (brutal) ways of having fun. Bull fighting, bull riding, bull races are common violent sports that dates back to the Indus Valley civilisation. Jallikattu is a form of bull wrestling that is celebrated in the villages of Tamil Nadu on Mattu Pongal (the third day of Pongal). The villages of Palamedu and Alanganallur near Madurai are renowned to host the bloodiest jallikattu.
For people in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Sankranti is incomplete without cockfights and, like in the past, a ban could not prevent them from betting millions of rupees on it this time either.
Leading the violation of the ban were powerful politicians of all hues, who consider cockfights a part of the culture of the coastal Andhra region. The participants included film personalities and businessmen. An estimated Rs5 billion ($340 million) change hands as thousands of people watch & bet during the cockfights.
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