AATHREYA - Makara Sankraanthi

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AATHREYA – Bhogi, Sankraanthi, Kanuma

 

Let us start on Dec. 21 / 22 , the day of Winter Solstice , when the night was

the longest and day was the shortest.

 

With effect from Dec. 23 rd the day time is slowly catching up with night time.

Sun is rising one minute early and is setting one minute late. A reminder that

warm days are ahead and by March 21 / 22, the day of Vernal / Spring Equinox,

the day time would have caught up with night time and both day and night are of

equal length. That is in future, but let us come back.

 

Witheffect from Dec. 21 / 22, the Sun (Soorya Bhagawaan) is leaving southern

hemisphere and moving towards northern hemisphere, northern sojourn –

UttharaayaNam, and He will grace the people of northern hemisphere for six

months until June 21 / 22. UttharaayaNam is day time for Gods.

 

On January 13 / 14 Sun has left Dhanur Raasi (Sagittarius) and entered Makara

Raasi (Capricorn) and is known as Makara SankramaNam –Makara Sankraanthi,

Pongal, Vishu.

 

According to Solar almanac (Soorya Maanam) Dhanur Maasam (month of Sagittarius)

is over and it is the start of Makara Maasam(month of Capricorn) which will last

until Feb. 14.

 

Of all the 12 Sankraanthis in an year, Makara Sankraanthi is the most favored

Sankraanthi as harvest has come home, food is aplenty. It is also the time to

welcome Bali, who is coming from nether under world (down under) to greet all

the people. Houses are decorated with Rangoli, front yards are bedecked with

flowers, children basking in

front of warm fires ( Bhogi Mantalu ) , enjoying themselves on swings,

Hari Daasus singing Bhajans . Happy Happy Four days of Sankraanthi.

 

Makara Sankraanthi is a four day festival – first day Bhogi when the children,

Bhaavi Prapancha Paurulu – Future World Citizens, are blessed with berries,

flower petals and small coins. Second day is the

day of Pongal, when the entire family enjoys sweet rice pudding –Pongal.

 

Third and fourth days are Kanuma and Mukkanuma for children to adorn the living

room with various Idols , Icons and Toys. Makara Sankraanthi, a four day

festival of family gathering, Thanks giving, for new sons-in-law to visit their

inlaws' house to be feasted and feted and expected to depart with their brides

after the festivities are over having been presented with new clothes, gifts

etc.

 

Let there be peace every where – Sarve Janaaha Sukhino Bhavanthu.

 

aathreya – dr. bala Krishna murthy ramaraju