Makarsankranti
Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious occasions for the Hindus, and is celebrated in almost all parts of India in a myriad of cultural forms, with great devotion, fervour, and gaiety. It is a harvest festival. Makar Sankranti is perhaps the only Indian festival whose date always falls on the same day every year: 14 January, with some exceptions, when the festival is celebrated on 13 January or 15 January. Makar Sankranti is also believed to mark the arrival of spring in India.
Introduction to the Makar Sankranti Festival in Uttaranchal
Makar Sankranti is a very auspicious day. It is celebrated throughout the country in some way or the other with a lot of warmth and intensity. The state of Uttaranchal is no exception.
History of the Makar Sankranti Festival in Uttaranchal
The sun moves to the northern hemisphere. It enters the Zodiacal sign of Makar or Capricorn from the Zodiacal sign of Kark or Cancer. This movement to the Uttarayana symbolizes that the day of the Gods have started. So it is the ideal time to do something. All the conditions are favorable on the day of Makar Sankranti.
According to mythology, it was on this day that Lord Vishnu brought an end to evil by killing the demons. Sun is said to have visited the house of his son Shani, husband of Makar Rashi on this particular day.
Description of the Makar Sankranti Festival in Uttaranchal
On this day, people take a dip in the holy Ganges. The common belief is that if you do not take a bath you might be born as a donkey in your next life.
They distribute Khichadi, a dish made of rice and pulses to the poor. They also participate in the Uttarayani Fair. However it is the custom of Kale Kauva or Ghughutia which is unique to Makar Sankranti.
Flour and gur are kneaded and given various shapes of drums, pomegranates, knives and swords and then deep fried in ghee. They are beaded in a single thread and an orange is kept in the middle. Small children then adorn themselves
Introduction to the Makar Sankranti Festival in Uttaranchal
Makar Sankranti is a very auspicious day. It is celebrated throughout the country in some way or the other with a lot of warmth and intensity. The state of Uttaranchal is no exception.
History of the Makar Sankranti Festival in Uttaranchal
The sun moves to the northern hemisphere. It enters the Zodiacal sign of Makar or Capricorn from the Zodiacal sign of Kark or Cancer. This movement to the Uttarayana symbolizes that the day of the Gods have started. So it is the ideal time to do something. All the conditions are favorable on the day of Makar Sankranti.
According to mythology, it was on this day that Lord Vishnu brought an end to evil by killing the demons. Sun is said to have visited the house of his son Shani, husband of Makar Rashi on this particular day.
Description of the Makar Sankranti Festival in Uttaranchal
On this day, people take a dip in the holy Ganges. The common belief is that if you do not take a bath you might be born as a donkey in your next life.
They distribute Khichadi, a dish made of rice and pulses to the poor. They also participate in the Uttarayani Fair. However it is the custom of Kale Kauva or Ghughutia which is unique to Makar Sankranti.
Flour and gur are kneaded and given various shapes of drums, pomegranates, knives and swords and then deep fried in ghee. They are beaded in a single thread and an orange is kept in the middle. Small children then adorn themselves