Pranam MAKARA SHANKARANTHI
1 (from Katha sarith sagara): The word in question is ’*uttārayaṇe*, the locative case, which simply means “at” or “in the northward journey”— *i.e.* the *ayana <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/ayana#purana>,* or “course” beginning at the *winter* solstice. There is no word for “festival” at all, but since bathing in the sacred rivers takes place immediately after the solstice during the festivity known as the *Makara-saṅkrānti <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/makarasankranti#hinduism>,* festival is probably justified; but the text merely says he was bathing “at the winter solstice.” *Saṅkrānti <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/sankranti#hinduism>* is the name given to the day on which the sun passes into a fresh sign of the zodiac <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/zodiac#history>, and the *Makara <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/makara#purana>* corresponds to *Capricornus.* In ancient times a twelve nights’ celebration was held immediately after the winter solstice. The period was regarded as sacred, for it was then that the three Ṛbhus <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/ribhus#purana> (Ṛbhukṣan, Vāja <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vaja#purana> and Vibhvan), who by their extreme skill rose to be the personified seasonal deities, slept. 2 In modern times the *Makara-saṅkrānti* forms the chief seasonal festival, corresponding to our New Year <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/new-year#history>’s Day. It is the time for the great pilgrimage to Allāhābād and the annual bath of purification in the sacred rivers of the North. In the South the corresponding festival is called *Pongol,* at which the boiling of the new rice is watched and regarded as an augury for the New Year. “In the Lower Himalaya <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/himalaya#kavya> the January *Saṅkrānti* is observed by baking little images of birds made of flour in butter and oil, which are hung on the children’s necks and given next day, the winter solstice, probably with the intention of passing away evil, to the crows and other birds.”Under the heading of “Joshi <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/joshi#history>, Jyotiṣi, Bhadri, Parsai,” “the village priests and astrologers,” (*Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces,* vol. iii, p. 26l) discusses the “Saṅkrānts.” “the Til Saṅkrānt, or entry of the sun into Makara or Capricorn, which falls about the 15th January, is a special festival, because it marks approximately the commencement of the sun’s northern progress and the lengthening of the days. On this day every Hindu who is able bathes in a sacred river at the hour indicated by the Joshis <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/joshi#history> of the sun’s entrance into the sign. Presents of *til* or sesame are given to the Joshi, owing to which the day is called Til Saṅkrānt. People also sometimes give presents to each other.”* Makara* is usually taken to mean a sea-monster, often a crocodile. 3 {Kane, P.V., *History of Dharmaśāstra <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dharmashastra#purana>*, Vol. V, Part-I, p.57}: The Rathayātrā <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/rathayatra#hinduism> is one of the festivals associated with the Sun worship. The *Bhaviṣyapurāṇa <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/bhavishyapurana#purana>* contains a great deliberation on this festival. As the part of the celebration, the chariot of the Sun-god is moved forward in a procession. The image of the Sun-god is placed on the chariot and the horses, fully decorated with cāmara <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/camara#purana>, garland and kuṃkuma <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/kunkuma#purana>, etc., [2] <https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/essay/sun-worship-in-the-puranas/d/doc626784.html#note-e-163130> by three hundred and sixteen devotees and Brāhmaṇas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/brahmana#purana>, who are observing the fast.[3] <https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/essay/sun-worship-in-the-puranas/d/doc626784.html#note-e-163131> The two wives of the deity, viz. Rājñī <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/rajni#purana> and Nikṣubhā <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/nikshubha#purana> should be placed on the right and the left side of the Sun-god, respectively.[4] <https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/essay/sun-worship-in-the-puranas/d/doc626784.html#note-e-163132> The Sun-god is honoured with fully decorated umbrella and *daṇḍa <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/danda#purana>*, made of gold. A figure of Garuḍa <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/garuda#purana> is also placed behind the main image of the Sun.[5] <https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/essay/sun-worship-in-the-puranas/d/doc626784.html#note-e-163133> The chariots of the other members of the solar family are also moved forward along with the main chariot of the deity. The procession passes along the main roads of the city with pomp and show, along with the continuous beating of the drums and sounding of conch and other musical instruments.[6] <https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/essay/sun-worship-in-the-puranas/d/doc626784.html#note-e-163135> All the procedures of the festival is followed with fasts, gifts and donation in honour of the Sun-god.[7] <https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/essay/sun-worship-in-the-puranas/d/doc626784.html#note-e-163136> 4 2-7 Tasmin ratha vareś reṣṭhe kalpite sumanorame/ āropya pratimā ṃyatnā dyoja yedvā jinaḥśubhān// : upavāsa sthitair viprair divyair bhaumai ścasuvrataḥ/ triṃ śadbhiḥ ṣoḍaśair vāpi pratimāṃ : … rājñī canik ṣubhā rudra bhāryeta syamahātmanaḥ// śanair āropaye drudra ubhayo ḥpārśvayorathe/ nik ṣubhāṃ dakṣiṇe pārśver ājñīṃcāpy uttaretathā//, 1.55.77,78 5 Agni puranam: A *śrāddha* performed at a sacred place, or on the days of the commencement of the *yuga <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/yuga#purana>* or Manu <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/manu#purana> period gets undiminishing fruits. Similarly, (śrāddha done) on the ninth day of bright fortnight in (the month of) Āśvayuk (October-November), on the twelfth day in Kārttika <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/karttika#purana> (November-December), on third day in Māgha <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/magha#purana> and Bhādrapada <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/bhadrapada#purana> (February-March and September-October), on the new moon day in Phālguna <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/phalguna#purana> (March-April), on the eleventh day in Pauṣa <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/pausha#purana> (January-February), on the tenth day in Āṣāḍha <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/ashadha#purana> (July-August), on the seventh day in the month of Māgha (February-March), on the eighth day of dark fortnight in Śrāvaṇa <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shravana#purana> (August-September), on the full moon day in Āṣāḍha (July-August) and on the full moon days in Kārttika, Phālguna and Jyeṣṭha <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/jyeshtha#purana> (June-July) (confer manifold benefits). The days of commencement of the Svāyambhuva Manu <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/svayambhuvamanu#purana> periods are also of undiminishing benefits. Gayā, Prayāga <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/prayaga#purana>, (river) Gaṅgā <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/ganga#purana>, Kurukṣetra, (river) Narmadā <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/narmada#purana>, Śrīparvata <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shriparvata#purana>, Prabhāsa <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/prabhasa#purana>, Śālagrāma <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shalagrama#purana>, Vārāṇasī <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/varanasi#purana> and river Godāvarī <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/godavari#purana> (are sacred places). *Śrāddha* (done) at those places and also at the Puruṣottama <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/purushottama#purana> (*kṣetra <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/kshetra#purana>*) (Puri <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/puri#history>) (yields manifold fruits). KR IRS 14122 On Thu, 13 Jan 2022 at 18:30, 'gopala krishnan' via iyer123 < [email protected]> wrote: > *Makar Sankranti 2022 Date - Importance of Makar Sankranti In Hinduism - > Puja Time**- Forward* > > *Makar Sankranti, also known as Sankranti or Makar Sankrant, is one of the > highly auspicious days in a Hindu calendar and the day is dedicated to the > worship of Lord Surya (Sun God). Makar Sankranti 2022 date is January 14. > Punyakaal or time for puja and to take holy bath is from 8:49 PM on Jan 14 > to before sunrise on January 15, 2022. Makar Sankranti is the day when the > sun enters into the zodiac Capricorn or Makara. It is also known as > Uttarayana Punyakalam and heralds the arrival of spring season.* > > *In Western India Punya Kaal time is from 2:28 PM to 6:19 PM on January > 14.* > > *Information and Importance of Makar Sankranti* > > *What is Makar Sankranti?* > > *Makar Sankranti is an auspicious day based on the movement of the Sun > (Surya). ‘Makar’ or ‘Makara’ refers to ‘Makara rashi’ – the zodiac > corresponding to Capricorn. ‘Sankranti’ in Sanskrit means ‘to cross into’ > or the day when sun enters from one zodiac sign to another. So Makar > Sankranti is the day when the sun enters into the zodiac Capricorn. It is > also known as Uttarayana Punyakalam or the entry of sun into the Northern > Hemisphere. The six-month long Uttarayana begins on this day.* > > *Makar Sankranti is usually observed on January 14 or January 15.* > > *Usually the day of Hindu celebrations vary from year to year in English > Calendar. Hindu calendar is based on the movement of the moon and therefore > it is a lunar calendar. Hence the change in the date of various > celebrations with corresponding English Calendar. But Makar Sankranti is > based on solar movement and therefore it has almost a fixed date.* > > *But depending on the movement of the sun from south to north Makar > Sankranti date progresses i.e., a decade ago Makar Sankranti was observed > on January 12 and later on 13. Now it is on 14 or 15. In future it will be > observed on January 16.* > > *Hindu God Worshipped on Makar Sankranti* > > *Lord Surya is worshipped on the Makar Sankranti day and is a form of > Nature Worship. Every living and non-living being merges with the Brahman > and Sun is the Pratyaksha-Brahman or the Brahman that can be seen. * > > *How is Makar Sankranti Observed by Hindus?* > > *A major spiritual event on the day is the bathing ritual at Sangam > (confluence of Yamuna, Saraswati and Ganga) in Allahabad and also in the > famous bathing ghats on River Ganga. Taking a holy dip on the day is > considered to cleanse sins committed and this will lead to Moksha > (Salvation).* > > *Uttarayana Punyakalam, the day time of Devas,** begins with the Makar > Sankranti and lasts for six months. This period is ideal for all kind of > auspicious activities.* > > *Makar Sankranti also heralds the arrival of spring.* > > *Special food made from freshly harvested grains is consumed and shared on > the day.* > > *Makar Sankranti in Hindu Scriptures - Stories* > > *One of the most important myths is the death of Bhishma Pitamaha in the > Mahabharata. Bhishma chose the Uttarayan period. (Bhisma had got a boon > from his father that he will only die when he wishes.) It is believed that > people who die during Uttarayana merges with the Brahman, thus ending the > cycle of rebirth.* > > *Legend also has it that Lord Vishnu buried Asuras on this day beneath the > Mandara Mountain. It signifies the end of evil and the dawn of > righteousness.* > > *Another legend is that King Bhagiratha brought Ganga down into Patala > on Makar Sankranti day. This was to get salvation to his ancestors who were > cursed by Sage Kapila and turned into ashes. On this day millions of people > take bath in the Ganges. Makar Sankranti is also an important bathing date > during Kumbh Mela and Magh Mela.* > > *Puranas state that on Makar Sankranti day, Surya visits Lord Shani. In > mythology Lord Shani, is the son of Surya.* > > *Makar Sankranti in Various Parts of India* > > *Makar Sankranti is observed throughout India by all communities but with > slight variations in the festivities.* > > *In Bengal , Makar Sankranti is noted for the Ganga Sagar Mela, Tusu Puja > and Pithe parbon.* > > *Bhogali Bihu** and Tusu Puja are celebrated on the occasion in Assam .* > > *Makar Mela** is observed in Orissa.* > > *Ghughuti** or Kale Kauwa in Uttarakhand.* > > *Shishur Sankranti** in Jammu and Kashmir.* > > *Tila Sankranti** in Mithila region.* > > *Maghi** in Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.* > > *In North India , it is the time of Lohri and Khichdi Parv.* > > *In Central India , it is Sankranti.* > > *In Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti is observed as Pongal. (four day festival)* > > *In Andhra Pradesh, it is known as Sankranthi. (four day festival)* > > *In Karnataka - Sankranti or Ellu Bella* > > *In Maharashtra it is known as Makar Sankranti and Tilgul - famous for > Bhogichi Bhaji* > > *In Kerala, the famous Sabarimala Pilgrimage comes to an end with sighting > of the Makaravilakku.* > > *In Gujarat and Rajasthan, it is known as Uttarayan and is noted for the > kite flying event.* > > *It is an important bathing date during the famous Magh Mela and Kumbh > Mela at Sangam (Prayag) in Allahabad.* > > *Did You Know?* > > *Sun rays directly falls on the murti (idol) worshipped in certain temples > on Makar Sankranti day. The most famous among them is the Gavi > Gangadhareshwara Temple near Bangalore in Karnataka.* > > *Dahi Chura - an food prepared from rice flakes and yoghurt - is consumed > on the day in many regions.* > > *Jaggery, rice, sugarcane, sesame seeds and milk are the common food used > on Sankranti in all regions. And Sesame especially helps in maintaining > body heat during winter.* > > *Residents of 10 villages located on the outskirts of Manali in Himachal > Pradesh do not make any kind of noise for 42 days starting from Makar > Sankranti.* > > *In the 17th century, Makar Sankranti was around January 9 and in the 27th > century, it will be around January 23.* > > *LABELS: MAKAR SANKRANTI* > > *From: NIN <[email protected] <[email protected]>>* > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "iyer123" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/239024654.3448372.1642078825800%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/239024654.3448372.1642078825800%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CAL5XZooDY42tC2Ba58z-wZQt%2B8y03kAtA-m4APsHhUn6Aj1Y1Q%40mail.gmail.com.
