As we enter the second week of January, the colorful kites soaring in the sky remind us of the diverse and beautiful hues of our rich culture. Don’t the colorful kites reaffirm our aim to attain higher heights of love, togetherness, prosperity, and unity, regardless of our color, caste, creed, and region?
We have predominantly been an agrarian society, and many of our festivals originate from harvesting the fruits of farmers’ labor. Actually, most traditional festivals celebrated in different cultures can be strongly connected to agriculture and nature. For instance, Halloween in the US, celebrated on October 31, finds its connection to harvest and agriculture. It marks the end of the growing season and the rituals associated with storing and celebrating the year’s crops. Many modern traditions, like pumpkin carving and autumn-themed decorations, echo these agricultural ties.
Just before Makar Sankranti, in Punjab and Haryana, Lohri is celebrated on January 13. This festival marks the farewell of winter and the beginning of the Rabi crop season. It is celebrated with bonfires, singing, dancing, and offering items like sesame seeds, jaggery, and peanuts to the fire. The following day, Makar Sankranti, like Pongal and Ugadi in South India, is a celebration of farming, seasonal transition, and family togetherness.
The festival of Makar Sankranti symbolizes the Sun’s entry into the zodiac sign Capricorn and the onset of Uttarayan (northward movement). The shift in the Sun’s position can influence the monsoon patterns, which are crucial for the irrigation of summer crops in India. Adequate rainfall during this period helps in preparing the soil for the upcoming planting season. Furthermore, cooler temperatures and increased sunlight during this period can enhance the growth of winter crops such as wheat, barley, and mustard. It is a festival of seasonal change, harvest, and prosperity.
In North India, it is known as Khichdi. Eating khichdi, a mix of rice and dal cooked together with ghee, pickle, and yogurt, has a symbolic meaning: just as rice and dal gel together in khichdi, and the other ingredients enhance its taste, and papad absorbs phlegm in the body, this tradition symbolizes fostering love and harmony in families while dispelling discord.
In Maharashtra, people exchange sesame and jaggery, wishing sweetness in relationships. In South India, it is called Pongal, a festival marking the harvest season. In West Bengal, the Ganga Sagar Mela is organized, where millions of devotees take a holy dip in the Ganges.
Kite flying is a special attraction on this day. Scientifically, this day marks the beginning of longer days as day and night become almost equal in duration.
Makar Sankranti inspires us to connect with nature, engage in charity, and spread the message of unity and brotherhood. It is a remarkable example of our traditions and cultural heritage.
Inspire Positivity 