Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival which is celebrated in different parts of the Indian subcontinent in very different ways and with various mythological references.
In mid-January turns to the sun, and embarks on the northern career in the sign Makara ( on 14th or 15th January). This Sankranti, the solstice marks according to ancient Hindu tradition, a blessing -making period. As the same time in the Tamil harvest festival Pongal also plays in the state of Maharashtra to the Makar Sankranti harvest sugar cane an important role. In every house the women Til - gud prepare, sweets from the sugar of fresh sugar cane, mixed with sesame seeds, Til, and give them away to friends and neighbors, saying a saying: " Til - gud ghya, god god bola " - "Take this sweet Til and speak sweet words ". You should give each of them and stop any possible hostilities with it. This reconciliation aspect underlines the importance of festivals not only for marking the cyclical change in the nature but also for the spiritual development of man and society.
In Gujarat Makar Sankranti starts the season of kite flying everywhere and enthusiastic competitions.
The progress mouth on the Indian Ocean in the state of West Bengal is to Makar Sankranti center of one of the largest pilgrimage festivals of Sagar Mela: Without any collective organization meet tens of thousands of believers a - to dip into a well-defined astrological minutes praying in the holy water. Mythical background of this ocean festival is the story of Bhagirath, who is said to have brought Ganga, as Hindus call the river Ganges from the Himalayas to the earth (see also Bhagirathi ). The companion animal ( Vahana ) of the personified goddess Ganga is Makar (or Makara ), a crocodile -like sea animal.
What's in many parts of Makar Sankranti, Lohri means for the people of Punjab: Here is the coldest time of the year and merry singing, families and friends gather around a bonfire, throwing rice and sweets into the flames as an offering to Agni, the divine in his fire form.