Spirituality4kids: 2015

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Of the 16 samskaras, or milestones, that mark the stages in a person’s life, a very special place is accorded to the ritual of marriage, or vivah samskar. In Hindu Scriptures, man and woman are considered as the two halves of a divine body. Marriage is considered as the divine union of the masculine energy represented as Shiva and the feminine energy represented as Shakti into the form of the supreme Lord for the sustainment of universal creation. Through marriage a person enters the Grihasta Ashrama or the life of a Householder. In Hinduism, marriage is not just perceived as the union of two individuals; rather it is observed as the melding of two souls. The rituals of marriage are conducted by a priest who enunciates the sacred verses in Sanskrit, with the deity Agni as the witness.

The Haldi Ceremony is a significant pre-wedding ritual. Haldi paste is made from turmeric, sandalwood and rose water. It is applied on both the bride and groom, in their respective homes, on their face, hands and feet. It is considered an Indian beautification process for the bride and groom before their wedding.

Swagat, the first of many rituals that are part of a Hindu Wedding, is the welcoming ceremony of the bride and the groom. By receiving and greeting the bride and groom we welcome Lord Vishnu, as the groom and Devi Lakshmi as the bride. It is believed that in so doing the divine couple comes together once more to sustain the earth - Lord Vishnu with his stability and wisdom and Goddess Lakshmi with her generosity. The bride and groom are greeted with madhuparka, a mixture of curd, honey and ghee.

The next is the exchange of garlands, Jai Mala. This is the time for the bride and groom to announce their decision, their acceptance of one another and seal it with a gesture. Just like Sita chose Rama and Draupadi chose Arjuna with a garland, when a woman first places a garland around her chosen groom, the groom can proceed with the wedding ceremony. From pre-Vedic times, this was one of the many ways in which a woman’s right of choice was protected.

After the bride and groom have expressed their desire to be companions for life, a beginning is made with the ritual of shilarohan. The term literally means, “stepping on stone.” The bride’s brother places her right foot on a stone. With this gesture, he imparts advice that will stand her in good stead in the days to come. With this the woman agrees to be firm in her loyalty, and be like a rock at her husband’s side.

In olden times, it was believed that of all the acts of generosity that a man could perform, the greatest was that of the giving away of his daughter in marriage. This is the Kanyadaan. “Kanya” meaning young girl or maiden and “daan” meaning donation or gift, this ritual translates to “gift of a maiden.”

Once the bride and groom have pledged themselves to each other, a scarf fastens their garments together. Three knots tie them securely together as a symbolic gesture of their lifelong commitment to each other. The three knots are an important part of the nuptials and symbolize a multitude of things like the gunas, the three states (human, God and nature) and the Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva). The couple invites Agni as a witness to the marriage ceremony.

Agni Dev grants permission and the Gods have been appeased. It is time for the groom to claim his bride. He offers her a sacred charm, the mangalsutra. By accepting the chain, the bride grants his request and accepts him as her husband. The groom applies sindoor to the parting of the bride’s hair. The sindoor is not just an expression of vitality and passion but also the sign of Grihalakshmi, the goddess of the household. With the application of sindoor the bride is invited to enter and bless the couple’s home. She is responsible for bringing fullness and joy in all that they do.

The most meaningful part of the ceremony is the Saptapadi, the Seven Steps. These are the seven steps taken by the bride and groom together, in the presence of God and the guests. At his marriage ceremony, Shiva requested Parvati to sit on his left but Parvati refused, insisting that she would become one half of his consciousness, only when she was granted seven wishes. Shiva acceded to her desire and asked her to take seven steps with him, granting a boon at each step. Since then, every Hindu bride has taken these steps with her spouse, hoping by this to become as versatile a bride as Parvati, hoping too that her husband is as appeasing as Lord Shiva himself. In tune with those ancient wishes, the groom prays to the Lord on behalf of the bride, while bestowing on her the title of one of the many goddesses who guard and protect our lives.

v With the first step, bountiful maiden, like Annaporna, may she always have food to offer each guest at their door.

v With the second step, Resilient Woman, be Shakti, may those she cherish have strength of will and health of body.

v With the third, become Mahalakshmi, and all their acts be anchored in prosperity.

v With the fourth step, Serene One, be the embodiment of Shanti, may all that transpires between the couple be filled with peace.

v The fifth step, invokes Mother Gauri so the bride may nurture the lives that are in her care.

v The sixth, adorn the bride as Kamini, may the husband delight each season in the wife’s company.

v And lastly, with the seventh step, the groom honors the bride as his Sakhi, may she always stand by him, performing each dharma with fidelity.

And so, the couple’s journey begins.

Written by Mahika Jhangiani

Assistant Director HYSC 2015

Puja at home

Monday, August 10, 2015

Christmas

Diwali - Festival of Lights

Diwali: The Festival of Lights

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, falls in either October or November depending on the Lunar calendar of the year. Diwali marks the New Year in the Hindu calendar. The Festival is on the Amavaysa of the Kartika month. In some regions of India, the festival is five days long, with the third day being the main day of celebration. Diwali is one of the most celebrated, important, cultural festivals for Hindus. It is a very joyful and exciting holiday. Though the tradition is the same, it may be celebrated differently throughout the various regions of India.

Each day of the festival of Diwali has a specific name and ritual. The first day is known as Dhanteras. On Dhanteras, the start of Diwali, houses and business are cleaned and rangoli and diyas are set out as decorations. People traditionally buy gold and silver on Dhanteras, and perform Lakshmi puja in the evening. The second day of Diwali is known as Naraka Chaturdasi, or Choti Diwali. Henna and homemade sweets are made on Choti Diwali in preparation for the biggest day. On Diwali day, the main Lakshmi puja is held, and Goddess Lakshmi herself is invited into homes. Sparklers and fireworks are used for exciting celebrations after the puja, and feasts and mithai are abundant. The fourth day of Diwali is known as Padwa. Padwa is important for the bond between husband and wife, and celebrates the love and devotion they share. On this loving occasion, the whole family performs puja in honor of Lord Krishna. The last day of the festival of lights is called Bhaj dooj, meaning Brother’s second. Bhaj dooj celebrates the bond between brother and sister, similar to Raksha Bhandan. Women get together and perform a puja to honor their brothers, and festivities are shared between siblings all day.

As with many Hindu festivals, many different legends serve to explain the significance of Diwali. One story is that of Lord Rama, who returned home after 14 years of exile. Lord Rama defeated the demon king Ravana of Lanka, and marked the victory of good over evil. Lord Rama was warmly welcomed home by the people of Ayodhya, who had been waiting for him for many years. They lit the roads with little lamps, or diyas, to show Lord Rama the way home, and to show their affection for their king. It was a huge celebration that day. This is Diwali, the festival of lights.

Also in accordance with Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana, Diwali is associated with the triumph of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and right over wrong. On Diwali, people decorate their homes both internally and externally with many beautiful, colorful diyas and other lights. Along with extravagant decorations, homes are cleaned and displayed beautifully for Goddess Lakshmi. As mentioned previously, it is believed that on Diwali night, Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, visits each household and gives her blessings. This is why we pray to Her on Diwali.

Throughout the festival of lights, people often purchase new things which they believe are for Goddess Lakshmi. Besides the purchase of gold and silver on Dhanteras, these purchases include anything from gifts and housewares to clothing and sweets. Traditionally gifts are distributed amongst members of the family, and friends, and the household employees. Children all wear new clothes and ladies dress in their fineries.

Each region in India has its own special ways of celebrating Diwali, but regardless of the differences, all of India and Hindus everywhere celebrate the wonderful time of year that is the Festival of Diwali.

Written by Arushi Agarwal

Director HYSC 2015

Dussera - Dasha-Hara

Dasha-Hara

Dasha-Hara, a Hindu Festival celebrated throughout India, marks Lord Rama’s defeat of the ten-headed demon king, Ravana. The word is derived from Dasha, meaning ten, and Hara meaning removal, therefore marking the overcoming of the 10 evils, which are symbolized by Ravana’s ten heads.

As told in the Ramayana, (a well-known Hindu Scripture) on Dasha-Hara, many thousands of years ago, good triumphed over evil. Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu was brought onto earth to defeat the evil demon, Ravana. Although Ravana committed many atrocious acts throughout his lifetime, he was a devotee of the Gods and given boons by both Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva. One of these boons ensured that Ravana could not be killed, by any man who knew that he was a Divine Being. Therefore, none of the Gods had the ability to defeat the demon because they were all aware of their divinity. So, when Lord Vishnu reincarnated himself as Rama, he ensured that Rama would believe himself to be an ordinary man as opposed to a heavenly being. That is the reason why Rama, unlike the rest of Lord Vishnu’s avatars, was extremely humble and the epitome of a perfect son, brother, friend, etc. Thus, when Rama’s stepmother, who wanted her own son to be the King instead of Rama, asked her husband to exile his first-born son, Rama complied and went into exile (in deference to the wishes of his step-mother). During Rama’s fourteen years of exile in the forest, his wife, Sita, was kidnapped by Ravana who wanted to exact revenge on Rama and his brother, Lakshmana, because they had cut off the nose of his demonic sister. Eventually, through a series of events and with the help of the monkey god, Hanuman, Rama fought Ravana in an epic battle and eventually killed the demon and rescued his wife. It is for this reason that on the festival day of Dasha-Hara, Hindus burn a large effigy of Ravana and perform ten ritual offerings, also known as yagnas. This is in order to rid their homes of the ten bad qualities which are represented by each of Ravana’s heads: Kama Vasana (Lust), Krodha (Anger), Moha (Attachment), Lobha (Greed), Mada (Over Pride), Matsara (Jealousy), Swartha (Selfishness), Anyaaya (Injustice), Amanavata (Cruelty), and Ahankara (Ego). Thus, Dasha-Hara marks Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana and the victory of good over evil.

This festival also marks the defeat of the demon bull, Mahishasura, by Durga Mata. Mahishasura was a leader of a band of demons known as the Asuras. Their goal was to defeat the gods, the Devas, and to take over the Universe. Under Mahishasura’s leadership, the Asuras succeeded and created havoc on the universe. In order to take back what was theirs, the Devas compiled all their powers into the feminine energy, known as Shakti, and gave her the task of killing Mahishasura. Shakti took the form of the beloved yet fearsome Goddess Durga who defeated the evil bull and returned the universe back to the Devas. Hence, Dasha-Hara not only marks the defeat of Ravana by Lord Rama but it also commemorates the defeat of Mahishasura’a by the Deity Durga.

This illustrates that Dasha-Hara is all about the triumph of good over evil.

Written by Pallavi Chadha

Assistant Director HYSC 2015

Navratri

Navratri

Navratri is a festival devoted to the celebration of Divine Mother Durga. Navratri lasts for nine nights and ten days, with the tenth day known as Dussehra. “Nav” means nine and “Ratri” means night. The lunar calendar determines when the four different occasions of Navratri fall each year, with the main festival of Navratri being Sagar Navratri. Goddess Mother Durga has been worshiped since days that pre-date the Vedic age, and she continues to be revered and celebrated even in modern times especially during the Navratri festivals.

The first type of Navratri festival is Vasanta Navratri, which is celebrated in March, the Chaita month of the Hindu Calendar. Vasanta Navratri marks the end of winter and the well-anticipated arrival of spring. The seasonal change brings joy and enthusiasm, as well as marking the New Year on the lunar calendar. The second type of Navratri is known as Gupta Navratri, also known as Ashada or Gayatri Navratri. Gupta Navratri falls in the months of June or July. These are nine days devoted to the celebration of the Mother Goddess. The third Navratri festival falls between December and February on the modern calendar, and is known as Maagha or Pausha Navratri.

The most important festival of Navratri is known as Sharad Navratri, which falls between October and November in the lunar month of Ashvin. This occasion is also a season transition; as the warmer weather and summer-autumn months fade, the chilly winters arrive each year. The nine forms of Durga Mata are worshipped in these nine days. The first three days of Navratri are devoted to Goddess Durga, the supreme goddess. The following three days are in honor of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. The last three days are celebrating Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom, knowledge, and learning.

Each region of India celebrates the nine nights of Navratri differently. In North India, murtis of Goddess Durga are dressed beautifully. The Divine presence of Mother Durga is acknowledged in young girls and homage is paid to them as a symbol of Her being. Fresh food and gifts are brought to the girls as symbolic offerings to the goddess. In addition, many fast for the full nine days while worshiping the Mother Goddess in all of her forms. In Bengal, ceremonial “pandals” are created and used in worship of the goddesses. In Punjab, the first seven days of Navratri are set aside for fasting, while on the eighth day known as Ashtami, the fast is broken and young girls once again represent the goddess. Puja is offered to the young girls, as well as sweets, and clothing. The ninth day is then Navami. The rituals of Gujarat have become widespread among the entire globe: the tradition of Garba and Dandiya-Raas. Garba and Raas is an energy-filled, fun, and intense devotional way to observe and celebrate the presence of Durga Mata. In any and all forms of worship, Navratri is a glorious festival that observes and pays tribute to the power and splendor of Goddess Durga in all Her glory and Shakti.

Written by Arushi Agarwal

Director HYSC 2015

Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi

Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati, known for his elephant head, is the remover of all obstacles. He is honored at the start of all rituals and ceremonies. Ganesh Chaturthi is the Hindu festival celebrated in honor of Lord Ganesha as his birthday falls on the fourth day after the new moon in the Hindu month of Bhaadrapada. It is considered as the day on which Lord Ganesh comes down on earth to give blessings to his devotees.

The festival is celebrated over the course of 10 days. People keep the murti in their households for either a day and a half, 5 days, 7 days, or the full 10 days. The 10 day long festival was started to unite the people of India with the celebration of a common festival. On the first day, a murti of Lord Ganesha is placed on raised platforms in homes or in elaborately decorated outdoor tents for people to view and pay their homage.

A black thread is tied around the Murti to bring good luck. In the ritual known as pranapratishhtha, the priest invokes life into the murti. The Akhand Diya is kept lit throughout the 10 days. The Akhand Diya is the eternal light. Food prepared in the household during the festival is free of garlic and onion. Once the Lord has been welcomed, offerings of sweets, flowers, coconut, jaggery and coins are made to the Lord. Modakas, an Indian sweet made from rice flour and jaggery, is also offered to the Lord. These days of offering are known as shhodashopachara.

On the 11^th day, the murti is paraded through the streets, accompanied by singing and dancing, on the way to be immersed in a river or the sea. An Aarti is done before taking the murti for visarjan (immersion). Oil lamps, flowers, dhoop, and food are offered before taking the murti out of the house. The murti is lifted and taken around to all parts of the house so that every corner of the house is blessed. Curd is placed in the palm of the murti’s hand and also gud and grains tied in a red cloth. It is an old Hindu belief that a guest who has been given curd will return again. The gud and grains are food for his journey home. Before leaving the house, a coconut is circled around the murti three times and then broken so the visarjangoes smoothly. The visarjan symbolizes a farewell to the Lord in his journey towards his home in Kailash, while he takes away with him the misfortunes of all mankind. People chant “Ganappathi Bappa Morya, Pudchya Varshi Laukariya,” which translates to “Oh Ganesh, come again early next year!”

Written by Mahika Jhangiani

Assistant Director HYSC 2015

Krishna Janmashtmi- 5th September 2015

Krishna Janmashtami

Sri Krishna Jamashtami is one of the holiest and most famous festivals for Hindus. Janmashtami marks the birth celebration of Lord Krishna, who is believed to be an incarnation of Vishnu, in the Hindu religion. This festival is celebrated on the eight day of the month of Shravana (August-September) in the Hindu calendar. Janmashtami is also known as Gokulashtami, Krishnasthami and Srijayanti.

In the state of Maharashtra, the traditional competition of Dahi Hundi is also held on Janmashtami day.

Lord Krishna was born to Vasudeva and Devki, while they were held captive in the jail of his uncle, Kansa. As the legend goes, it had been foretold that Kansa would be killed by his nephew, so Kansa imprisoned his sister and brother-in-law hoping to kill the child instead. On the very night of Lord Krishna’s birth, Vasudeva took the baby, snuck out of jail, crossed the mighty Yamuna and left his son in the house of relatives, Nanda and Yashoda. They became Lord Krishna’s adoptive parents and took the responsibility of raising the child.

The incarnation of Krishna marks the end of darkness and the removal of evil forces that dominate the Universe. It is said that Lord Krishna was a true Brahmin who had reached Nirvana. Krishna is believed to be blue in color since blue represents the sky and marks the infinite potential and power of the Lord. His yellow clothes represent the color of Earth, symbolic of a colorless flame. The enchanting music of the flute played by Krishna represents his divinity.

Even though Janmashtami is celebrated all over India, different states have different ways of celebrating. This festival is observed as a 2 day ritual because there are a few variations in the calculation of Lord Krishna’s time of birth, in various regions of India. The festival itself is preceded by a day-long fast that is broken at midnight, the time when Krishna is believed to have been born. On this day special poojas and rituals are performed in all the temples and houses throughout India. Images of baby Krishna are placed in swings and cradles in temples and homes. At midnight, devotees gather around and sing devotional songs, dance and exchange of gifts. In many temples, children are dressed up as Radha and Krishna and different excerpts of the life of Lord Krishna are enacted.

“Dahi Hundi” is traditionally a competition which is held in the state of Maharashtra. In this competition, a decorated earthen pot that contains ghee, dry fruits and milk, is hung 20-30 feet high and held with a rope. Silver coins are hung on this rope, as a prize for the winners. The goal of this competition is to form a human pyramid with respective teams, to try and reach the hanging pot.

Spectators throw water on this human pyramid to prevent them from breaking the pot. Devotees try to collect the broken parts of the pot. This is a popular tradition that is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm and is actually an enactment of Sri Krishna’s attempt to steal butter from the Matkas, as a young child!

All the Janmashtami ceremonies are celebrated with great devotion. Lord Krishna’s birth and life had a profound impact on Indian culture, philosophy and civilization. Krishnashtami , which is considered to be a worship of Shri Krishna, brings lots of joy and a feeling of unity, wherever it is celebrated.

The Gita, which is well known for the inspirational dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna is where Lord Krishna teaches the universal values of Dharma. The moral lesson is for everyone to learn the importance of fighting against injustice.

Written by Kajal Mulani

Director HYSC 2015

HYSC/SVSC 2009

HYSC/SVSC 2008

Rakshabandhan- 29th Aug 2015

Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan, which in Sanskrit literally means “the tie or knot of protection,” is a Hindu festival that celebrates the love and duty between brothers and sisters. Observed predominantly by Hindus, Jains, and many Sikhs, this widespread tradition originally began in northern and western India, but soon encompassed the globe with the same customs and spirit.

The festival falls on the full moon day (Shravan Poornima) of the Shravan month (typically August) of the Hindu lunisolar calendar.

In preparing for the festival, women shop for Rakhi, the ceremonial thread to tie around their brother’s wrist. Some women even make their own rakhi. A rakhi may be a simple, woven thread or be complex with amulets and decorations on top of it.

According to the Indian tradition, family members get ready for the rituals early in the morning on Raksha Bandhan day. They take a bath to purify the mind and body before starting any preparations. During the ceremony, the sister offers the thali of agarbatti, tilak, mittai, and the rakhi itself to her brother. After applying tilak to his forehead and doing aarti, she ties the rakhi around his wrist, signifying the bond between them while he promises, as her brother, to protect her in all circumstances. They then rejoice by feeding each other sweets and often gifting presents.

The festival is also an occasion to celebrate brother-sister like family ties between cousins or distant family members and sometimes even biologically unrelated men and women who feel the same bond.

The meaning and significance of Rakhi dates far back and many mythological stories are used to explain its origin:

For instance, one such legend refers to a war between the Gods and the Demons. The demon king Butra was advancing and the Gods, lead by Lord Indra, were on the verge of defeat. The king of Gods, Indra approached Guru Brihaspati to find a solution to the situation. Brihaspati then asked Indra to tie a sacred thread to his wrist, powered by the sacred mantras from the Shravan Purnima. Lord Indra’s queen, known as Indrani, empowered the thread and tied it on to his hand on the decided day. The power of the sacred thread called Raksha helped the Gods to victory.

According to the legend of King Bali and Goddess Laxmi, as told in the Bhaagvat Puraana, after Vishnu won the three worlds from the demon king Bali, Bali asked Vishnu to live in his palace, a request which Vishnu granted. Vishnu’s wife, Goddess Laxmi did not like the palace or his newfound friendship with Bali, and preferred that her husband and she return to Vaikuntha. So she went to Bali, tied a Rakhi and made him a brother. Bali asked her what gift she desired. Lakshmi asked that Vishnu be freed from the request that he live in Bali’s palace. Bali consented, and accepted her as his sister as well.

In the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna considered Draupadi his sister. When Krishna cut his finger while beheading Shishupal, Draupadi immediately tore off a piece of her sari and bandaged his cut. Krishna said that with this loving act, she wrapped him in debt and he would repay each “thread” when the time comes. Indeed, when Draupadi needed Krishna’s protection she fervently prayed for his help, he came to her rescue and gave her unlimited cloth and thus she remained with her modesty intact, draped in an “endless sari”.

Even in the Western hemisphere, evidence of the rakhi exists where it momentarily spared the life of Alexander the Great. As per one legendary narrative, when Alexander invaded India in 326 BCE, his wife Roshanak, sent a sacred thread to the King Porus, asking him not to harm her husband in battle. In accordance with tradition, Porus, a Katoch king, gave full respect to the rakhi. On the battlefield, when Porus was about to deliver a final blow to Alexander, he saw the rakhi on his own wrist and restrained himself from attacking Alexander personally.

In 1905, the British Empire divided Bengal, a province of British India, on the basis of religion. Rabindra Nath Tagore arranged a ceremony to celebrate Raksha Bandhan to strengthen the bond of love and togetherness between Hindus and Muslims of Bengal. He urged them to unite and together protest against the British Empire. He used the idea of Raksha Bandhan to spread the feeling of brotherhood.

While Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in various parts of South Asia, different regions mark the day in unique ways:

The people of the Kumaon region of Uttarkhand, celebrate Raksha Bandhan with Janopunyu. Along with the sister-brother ritual, the men change their Janeu (sacred thread).

In the state of West Bengal and Odisha, this day is also called Jhulan Purnima. Prayers and puja of Lord Krishna and Radha are performed. Sisters tie rakhi to Brothers and wish them a long life.

In Nepal, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on Shravan Purnima. It is also called Janeu Purnima.

In Maharashtra, the festival of Raksha Bandhan is celebrated as Nariyal Poornima. Kolis are the fishermen community of the coastal state. These Kolis offer prayers to Lord Varuna and invoke his blessings. As part of the Rakhi rituals, coconuts are thrown into the sea as offerings to Lord Varuna, and they apply vermilion as a symbol of prosperity.

Written by Basant Devjani
Assistant Director HYSC 2015

Holi !

Shivratri

Shivratri

Maha Shivratri (the 'Great Night of Shiva') is a festival celebrated every year by most Hindus in reverence of Lord Shiva for saving the world. According to the Puranas, during the great mythical churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), a pot of poison emerged from the ocean. The gods and the demons were terrified because this poison could end the world. When they ran to Shiva for help he drank the deadly poison. However, rather than swallowing the poison, he held it in his throat. As a result, his throat turned blue, and since that day he became known as 'Nilkantha', or the blue-throated one. This is one of the events for celebrating Shivratri, when Shiva saved the world.

Shivratri is also the day that Shiva was married to Parvati. The Maha Shivratri festival, also popularly known as 'Shivratri', is observed on the 13th night and 14th day in the Krishna Paksha every year on the month of Falgun according to the Hindu calendar.

On the day of Shivratri, a three-tiered platform is built around a fire. The topmost plank represents “swargaloka” (heaven), the middle one “antarikshaloka” (space), and the bottom one represents “bhuloka”(earth). Eleven urns are kept on the “swargaloka” plank symbolizing the 11 manifestations of the destructive force of Shiva. These are decorated with a coconut atop mango leaves representing the head of Shiva. The uncut shank of the coconut symbolizes his tangled hair, and the three spots on the fruit represent Shiva's three eyes

Written by Aditya Kalvani

Assistant Director HYSC 2015

Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Makara Rashi, as it starts on its celestial path, northward. According to Hindu Shastras, it is a highly auspicious day. It is the start of spring in India. The day is also of special significance, because on this day, there are equal hours of day and night.

Makar Sankranti is also known as the Harvest Festival. Among farmers, it is the day when the first harvest is offered to God. The festival of Makar Sankranti signifies the beginning of the Sun's northward journey (Uttarayan) when it enters the sign of Makar (the Capricorn). Makar Sankranti is a solar event and falls on the same date every year, 14^th January, in the Gregorian calendar.

Makar Sankranti is the day when the glorious Sun-God begins His entry into the Northern Hemisphere. The Sun represents Pratyaksha-Brahman- the manifestation of God, giving divine blessings to everyone. The Sun has the power to transcend time. The Gayatri Mantra, which many Hindus chant every day, is offered to the Sun God to bless them with intelligence and wisdom. 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.

Makar Sankranti, apart from being a harvest festival is also regarded as the beginning of an auspicious phase in Indian culture; “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 performed during this period will bear positive results.

This day also symbolizes the importance of the special relationship a father and son share. In the Puranas, it is said, that on this day, the Sun visits the house of his son Shani, who is the swami of Makar Rashi. This father and son ordinarily do not get along too well, but despite all the differences, Lord Sun makes sure that they do meet each other on this particular day. It was on this day that Lord Vishnu ended the terrorism of the Asuras by killing them and burying their heads under the Mandar Parvat (mountain). Makar Sankranti also represents the end of negativities and the beginning of a moral era.

Makar Sankranti is celebrated differently in different parts of India. In Uttar Pradesh, Sankranti is called ‘Khichiri’. Taking a dip in the holy rivers on this day is regarded as most auspicious. A big one-month long ‘Magha-Mela’ fair begins at Prayag (Allahabad) on this occasion. In Gujarat there is a custom of giving gifts to relatives. On this auspicious day, Gujarati Pundits grant scholarships for higher studies in astrology and philosophy.

In north India, MakarSankranti is also known as the “Kite flying Festival”. The kites symbolize prayers that reach God as they fly high!

In Punjab, where December and January are the coldest months of the year, huge bonfires are lit on the eve of Sankranti and the Festival of Lohri is celebrated. Sweets, sugarcane and rice are thrown in the bonfires and family and friends gather around. The following day, Sankranti, is celebrated as MAGHI. The Punjabis dance till they get exhausted and then they sit down and eat the superb food that is specially prepared for the occasion.

In Tamil Nadu, this festival is equivalent to the American Thanksgiving. Prayers for a bountiful harvest are offered to the Sun God. In south India, Sankranti is celebrated as “Pongal” and is a 3 day festival. Pongal is a sweet rice dish. On the first day of this festival, Pongal and prayers are offered to “Bhogi” for rain during the harvest. On the second day, Pongal is offerend to the sun and on the third day, Pongal is offered to cattle in the house.

In Maharashtrian households, mothers and grandmothers prepare Tilguls. Tilguls are laadoos made of til (sesame seeds) and gul (jaggery). People greet each other by saying “Tilgul Ghya Aani Goad-Goad Bola” (Take the sweets and talk sweet words).

As we celebrate Makar Sankranti, the mantra “Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya”, Lead us from Darkness to Light, has even greater significance! The sun is starting its northward journey, leaving behind dark days, bringing us toward bright and sunny days. A reminder from God to remove ignorance and bring wisdom into our hearts and lives!

Written by Kajal Mulani

Director HYSC 2015