Makar Sankranti

In Punjab observes the arrival of Lohri on January 13 every year when the nights are chilly. On this day, huge bonfires are lit on the eve of Sankrant . The occasion means celebrating the new arrivals ( newly weds, babies) with their first Lohri. A little rice is soaked in water and distributed to all the relatives who then throw it into the bonfire. Sweets, sugarcane and rice are thrown in the bonfire, around which friends and relatives gather together and share the warmth of their relationship. The following day is celebrated as MAGHI. The Punjabi's dance their famous Bhangra dance in competitions in their traditional boisterous way, making amazing dance gyrations and playing drums and pitaras ( cane puppet birds). Thoroughly exhausted, they sit down to eat the festive delights of sweets and special dishes specially prepared for the occasion.

In the North, Makar Sankranti is an occasion to wash off sins with a ritual dip in the holy river. Lakhs of devotees can be seen bathing in the Sangam at Prayag ( Allahabad) where the rivers Ganga, Jamuna and the underground Saraswathi come together. The Kumbh Mela is held for full one month every year. Bengali Hindus take a ritual dip in the Gangasagar to observe the day when the river Ganga arrived to revive the sixty thousand ancestors of Bhageeratha.

< Previous     Top     Next > 
Page: 1  2  3  4