Makara Sankranti 2014: The Holiest Day

Makara Sankranti, Pongal or Magh Bihu, though it is called by many names, it stands for one common thing - Harvest Festival. This festival which occurs on January 14 every year is a grand gala celebration. Read on...

Celebrating Harvest Festival - Region Wise

Makara Sankranti will be observed on 14th of January, 2014. Makara Sankranti is a festival celebrated with great zeal and zest all over the country. This harvest festival is known by many names depending on the region it is being celebrated. While Makara Sankranti is name followed in majority of the states of India, it is also known as Pongal in the state of Tamil Nadu, Lohri in Punjab, Magh Bihu in Assam, Uttarayan in Gujarat and so on. We will give you an idea of different rituals and customs followed in various states in this article. 

Makara Sankranti

Makara Sankranti, the grand harvest festival is celebrated to mark the journey of sun towards north. As Sankranti festival is celebrated as per the solar calendar, the date remains the same every year, January 14. The actual definition for the word Sankranti is the journey of sun from one zodiac sign to another. But now-a-days, Sankranti is more popularly known as the harvest festival. People thank the Gods for a good harvest and share the joy with one and all. One of the main attractions of Makara Sankranti is the tradition of Kite flying.

Pongal Or Bhogi

Pongal is the festival celebrated by the people of Tamil Nadu. This festival is celebrated for a period of four days. The first day is the Bhogi festival, which symbolizes new beginning. As such, people follow the tradition of getting rid of all the old stuff by throwing them into the bonfire. The second day is the Surya Pongal, when the traditional Pongal (sweet dish) is prepared and the Sun God is worshipped. The third day is called as the Mattu (cow) Pongal. On this day cows, which are one of the main sources for agriculture are worshipped. The main attraction of this day is the Jallikattu (bull fighting). The fourth and the final day is called the Kaanum Pongal, where in people visit the dear and near ones to exchange sweets and gifts. This Festival is also known as ‘Ellu Beerodu’ in Karnataka, celebrated by the people of Kannada community; and in the state of Andhra Pradesh, this festival is called as Sankranti or ‘Pedda Pandiga’ (big festival). 

Magh Bihu In Assam

Magh Bihu is the harvest festival of Assam. This festival is all about extravagant celebrations, which last for weeks. Many traditions are followed by the people of Assam during the Magh Bihu like Tekeli Bhonga, which is the breaking of earthen pots and bull fighting. People from near and far get their bulls to participate in the annual festivals for attractive prize money. This festival goes on for weeks where in makeshift huts are built, in which festive food is served to enjoy. Once the food is eaten, the huts are burned down as per the traditions which are followed. 

Every festival comes alive when celebrated with dear ones. In that context, mother nature is a dear one here. Sankranti, the harvest festival brings everyone closer to mother nature and gives us a chance to thank her for all the good that has been bestowed on us. With this, we wish one and all a very happy Makara Sankranti 2014!

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Pradosh Vrat: Eliminate The Misdeeds

Pradosh Vrat, a path to overcome negative karmas by pleasing Lord Shiva, falls twice a month. The Lord with supreme power forgives all the sins, mistakes and other bad karmas if prayed with faith and loyalty. Let’s understand the day in detail...

Shivaya Namah Om Bhavaya Namaha | Bhavaya Namah Om Namah Shivaya ||

What Is Pradosham?

The term ‘Pradosh’ means getting relief from sins and negative karmas. It prevails after the sunset for 2 hours 24 minutes and therefore, that duration is known as ‘Pradosh Kaal’. It is believed that one who worships Lord Shiva during Pradosh Kaal gets relief from all the evil deeds and mistakes. 

Weekly Pradosham

Monday/ Soma Pradosham: Bestows the observer with health and all his wishes are fulfilled. 

Tuesday/ Bhauma Pradosham: For those who are facing financial crunches, observing Bhauma Pradosham is very helpful. Also, it is very effective against diseases and ailments.

Wednesday: Pradosham occurring on Wednesday has great importance for the childless couples. Married couples, who do not have any child, observe this Pradosham to get blessed with their progeny. 

Thursday/ Guru Pradosham: Guru Pradosham helps the observer in raising his confidence level which further helps him to defeat his enemies. 

Saturday/ Shani Pradosham/ Maha Pradosham: Shani Pradosham is very effective and is meant for the happy married life of the couples. 

You may also like to read Pradosh Fast significance and legend. Click here to read about it - Pradosh Fast Significance & Legend

Rituals Followed During Pradosham

To begin with the rituals, the observer takes shower before the sunset. After wearing clean clothes, he/she commences the Puja by worshipping Lord Shiva. To worship Him, His idol or Shivlinga or Nataraja Avatar is needed. Along with the Him, following Gods are also worshipped:

• Goddess Parvati
• Kartikeya
• Ganesha
• Nandi

During the Puja, a Kalasha (metal pot) is filled with water followed by covering the Kalasha with Durva grass (Cynodon Dactyl). A lotus is drawn on the surface of the grass. After it, flowers, rice, betel nuts, betel leaf and coin are offered to Shiva. To please the deity, Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is chanted for 108 times. The devotee then applies the sacred ash to his/her forehead and lights a lamp before the Lord. 

Pradosham Fast Observance

Devotees not only pray to Lord on this day but also observes fast to honor Shiva. Strict observers worship Shiva throughout the day and night. They chant Mantras and recite His songs and prayers. Such observers do not consume any eatable and refrain from having water too. On the other hand are partial observers who follow the same rituals but break their fast in the evening after the evening prayers. 

Puja Materials You Need

Milk: gives long and healthy life

Curd: blesses the childless couple with child

Lemon: to overcome the fear of death

Ghee: grants Moksha (salvation)

Rice: helps to overcome the financial sufferings

Cooked Rice or Annam: grants a royal life

Coconut: provides luxuries and comforts of life

Sandal: blesses the observer with the beauty like Maa Lakshmi 

Panchamrutham: bestows the devotee with health and wealth

Honey: is used for a melodious voice

Sugar: helps to overcome anger

Sugar cane juice: bestows with good health

Invoke Lord Shiva’s blessings and expel out all the negative karmas with Pradosh Vrat. Pradosham falling every month, provides the best platform to overcome the evil deeds and achieve Moksha.

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Lohri 2014: Celebrating Fertility With Bonfire

In Punjab, the festival of Lohri will be observed on January 13, 2014. Lohri is considered to be the most important and most awaited day. People who belong to Punjabi community are mostly robust, fun-loving and enthusiastic by nature. The festival of Lohri symbolizes their enthusiasm for festive celebrations.

The festival of Lohri will be observed on January 13, 2014. With the first light of the New Year, people in India are all set to get started with the journey full of celebrations and festivals. The distinctive and perfectly assorted Indian culture is attracting the inhabitants to get closer to some of the very thrilling and enjoyable festivities. The commencement of these celebrations is to be initiated by the festival of Lohri. It is a festival related to harvesting and is celebrated annually in January. 

Legends And Traditions 

On the day of Lohri, little children demand for Lohri from their elders in the form of money and eatables such as Sesame seeds (Til), Gajak, Jaggery, Rewari and Peanuts, to name a few. The children also sing a festive song in praise of Dulla Bhatti. He is considered as the Punjabi Avatar of Robin Hood. He robbed the riches to assist the poor people. 

Performing Bonfire On Lohri

On the day of Lohri, as the sun sets in the evening, huge bonfires are lit in the harvested fields. A few people also perform this in the front yard of the house. At the time of Lohri celebration, a lot of people gather up at one place. They circle around the rising flames of fire and at this time, they throw edibles like puffed rice, popcorns, etc. While doing so, they say “Adar Aye Dilethar jaye”, by this they mean to pray that “may honor come and may poverty peter out”. 

At the time of celebrating the festival of Lohri, they also sing folk songs. Lohri is a festival in which people offer prayers to Agni (fire) to let their land get blessed with fertility and abundance. After they are done with the rounds around the bonfire (Parikrama), gift exchange ritual with relatives and friends begin. Once the Pooja and other related rituals are done, Prasad (holy food offering) is distributed to all the people present in the celebration. The most important part of this celebration is the Lohri Prasad, which includes sweets like Gajak and Rewri together with some other munchies such as peanuts, popcorns and jaggery. After that, all the guests are served with some traditional edibles like cooked mustard herbs with multi-millet chapattis for dinner.

The Traditional Performance

After getting done with all the related rituals, Bhangra, which is the traditional dance of Punjab, is performed by men. This celebration goes on till late night on the day of Lohri. These traditional touches add up more vigor and excitement to the festive mood.

Maghi: The Day Following Lohri

The day of Maghi falls on the next day of Lohri. This day signifies the commencement of Magh month. In accordance with the beliefs of Hindu religion, Maghi is considered to be the most auspicious day for taking a dip into the holy river together with doing some charity. Sweets such as Kheer (sweet rice porridge dessert) are prepared by adding sugar cane juice, rice and milk as Prasad for the day.

Showing Gratitude Toward The Harvest God 

The festival of Lohri comes up with a chance for the people to put aside all their tensions and worries. On this day, people get an opportunity to keep away from their hectic work schedules and to enjoy this festive day to the fullest. On this day, people offer prayers to the harvest God so their land could get the blessings to be amazingly fertile.

Hope you will have a great time this Lohri 2014. Stay tuned to AstroSage for more such interesting stuff.

Happy Lohri 2014!

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