Festivals add flavor to beat the rigmarole of everyday life. But today, they been mostly reduced to ‘off-days’ on the holiday-list. However, in the toil of the olden times, these occasions were considered special. With their unique rituals, festivals gave people time to absorb and imbibe their spiritual significance. Sadly in the modern times, compulsive shopping and binging have replaced the very charm of such occasions. Here we will discuss the significance of the Makar Sankranti festival with its rituals.
Why the Makar Sankranti festival
Makar Sankranti (on the 14th/15th of January, is celebrated as a harvest festival in India. Sankranti is when the farmer’s toil and labor is rewarded with nature’s bounty. This bounty will now sustain them for the rest of the year. Sankranti also marks the end of the winter season and announces the start of the spring/ summer seasons. Known by different names like Bihu, Lohri, Pongal, almost every Indian state celebrates its own version of Sankranti. And each version is rich in hues of varied styles, folklore and cuisines.
Before we go deeper into the outer expression of these celebrations, let’s understand:
The spiritual significance of Makar Sankranti.
Makar Sankranti or Uttarayan (Uttar as in North) marks the start of the of the northward journey of the Sun. This is the start of the Makara Raashi when the Sun enters the zodiac house of Capricorn.
Heavenly bodies are closely associated with the elements of human bodies. The swelling/ rising and falling of the seas/oceans in response to the waxing/waning moon is the biggest evidence of this fact. How can the moon then not impact us when we are almost 60% water?!
As far as the Sun goes, we know it as the primordial source of Life, Vitality and Energy on Earth. But it is, also indeed the source of Man’s wisdom and spirituality.
It is known that the Earth was originally a part of the Sun. But also nearly all elements of the human body were also made in a Star (Oxygen, Carbon, Nitrogen, Calcium, Phosphorous, Potassium, Sulphur, Sodium, Chlorine, Magnesium)! . Now step back and assess this. And the kind of impact that this single celestial body, Sun can have on our Mind, Body and Soul!
It comes as no surprise then, that in most of the older civilizations, Sun God (Surya- Agni) was revered as The Nourisher of Life
A spiritual cue for us to accelerate our ‘Northern journey’ as per Sri Sathya Sai Baba and Swami Krishnananda
The Sun has a tremendous impact on the Soul of humans, the spiritual aspect of their personality. In fact, Makar Sankranti is considered an auspicious occasion for one to commence or accelerate his ‘Northern journey’ (just like the Sun!).
The Himalayas (situated in the North) are always associated with divinity. Now, Himalayas are synonymous with the abode of Lord Shiva, also of some great illumined Rishi’s. Thus the northern direction is always associated with the beneficial spiritual currents that keep emanating out this holy place.
Therefore, an individual’s ‘northern journey’ refers to his personal inner journey. It refers to the spiritual journey of his search for realization within his heart.
And Makar Sankranti when the Sun starts showering an abundance of warmth, is an opportune time for this journey. Because, the body, mind and soul will be easily elevated by the powerful forces of the Sun.
Many rituals that we follow for Makar Sankranti have a deeper meaning that if understood, can help celebrate the festival in the right spirit
10 Significant takeaways from the rituals/ celebrations associated with Makar Sankranti are as follows:
(Source : Swami Sivananda in his book on Hindu Festivals)
1. Burn away bad-toxic habits and thought patterns on Makar Sankranti
On the Bhogi, a day before Makar Sankranti, there is tradition of making a bonfire. People discard their old, unwanted, run down belongings in this fire as a part of the cleaning up. They deep clean the house, the streets also whitewash them.
The significance of this ritual for Makar Sankranti is that Uttarayan is an opportunity to clean up our minds. Discard negativity, burn up bad habits, and refresh the mind with fresh, vitalizing thoughts.
2. Karma Yoga as a way of Life : Dedicate fruits of labour to God
There is a practice in most places to make a sweet dish of the harvest and offer it to God first. For instance, rice cooked with milk ,jaggery and nuts is offered in Tamil Nadu. Swami Sivananda says this gesture signifies Karma Yoga. The farmer toils hard and then offers the fruits of this labour to God.
This Hindu Tradition reminds us that Karma Yoga is the only right way to live and right way to work. Karma Yoga asks us to dedicate ourselves to our duty, our job on hand and not worry/ get attached to the results. Also to dedicate the fruits to God.
3. Share your prosperity with your staff/employees:
The landlord, the owner of the harvest sends out generous gifts of grains, clothes and money to all the farmers. That is to say, rather than hoarding, he prefers sharing. He appreciates those who worked hard on his land to make the harvest happen. In other words, in good times he doesn’t ignore or treat his workers shoddily. Rather he respects the value of their labor and shares his prosperity with them like they are a part of his family.
The spiritual significance of this Makar Sankranti / Pongal ritual is that, treat your employees with love, generosity and kindness
4. Reconnect with your family; intimate and extended:
Makar Sankranti in its various avatars has many family reunion rituals intertwined in the celebrations. Family members meet up and exchange Sankranti gifts. In some states the emphasis is on the brother gifting to married sisters while in others the wife gifting to her in-laws. Also children are recipients of special Sankranti gifts in many states.
The significance of this Sankranti gesture is that happiness increases when shared. That’s why the rule is not to travel away from home during festivals like Makar Sankranti. Instead, reunite with the extended family members.
5. Be grateful and kind to the entire eco-system:
In the South especially, decorating the cow (considered Holy) and worshipping her is a major ritual. In fact a whole day is dedicated to activities that pamper the farmers cattle. Another day is reserved for feeding delicious rice balls of different types to fish, birds and smaller animals
This is a reminder to humans to be generous to the creatures in the entire ecosystem who have contributed in some way or the other to the Circle of Life.
6. Bury your differences, be sweet, start afresh
There is a custom of exchanging sweet sesame and jaggery laddoos in both Maharashtra and Karnataka. This exchange is accompanied with a request to also only exchange sweet words. ‘eat til laddoos and speak only sweet’ or ’tilgul khava, god god bola’ – in marathi’ . Sesame seeds are also rich in nutrients and particularly beneficial in the cold season.
This custom signifies that Makar Sankranti is the day to forgive and forget. Meaning, a day to let go of grudges and start afresh. Also a reminder to us that no matter what we must always utter happy and positive words. In other words, keep away from bitterness and backbiting
7. Get some sun
Flying kites on Makar Sankranti is a nation-wise craze . But more so in Gujarat and Rajasthan. In fact these states host many kite flying festivals and competitions. The beauty of a million colourful kites, dancing on an azure January sky is simply breathtaking!
The significance of this Makar Sankranti ritual is a way of thanking God for the wonderful harvest and greater warmth. It is also a way of sunbathing in the abundance of Vitamin D that the Uttarayan Sun provides. The skin is ready to soak in the vitamin in loads after all the dark wintry shrouded days.
8. Haldi Kumkum on Makar Sankranti Festival :
Celebrated especially in Maharashtra and Karnataka, this ceremony allows a married woman to invite other married woman friends over home. First, the hostess and the guest apply haldi (turmeric) and kumkum(sindoor) on each others forehead. This signifies that they are collectively wishing for the long life of their husbands. Next, there is a snack party. Finally, the hostess gives out small gifts as a token of thanks to the guests for coming over.
This age-old custom religiously followed on Makar Sankranti gives an opportunity to the married women to reconnect with their close friends. It used to be a legit window for them to take the time out with their friends from their routine life. This was because in those times, a married woman spent all of her time doing chores for the entire family.
9. Reconnect with your spiritual heritage
Another customer is to take a holy dip on Makar Sankranti to wash away one’s sins. In fact the idea behind the Maha Kumbh Mela at Prayag Sangam is the same. Kumbh mela, one of the world’s largest pilgrimages is held once in 12years during Makar Sankranti
The real significance of this act is reconnection with the heritage of the birthland. Auspicious days are perfect days to remembers one’s roots and renew a connection with it.
10. Usher in positive vibrations.
Attractive Rangoli designs with colours or with rice flour is something that most Indian household do for festivals. Family members exchange designs and take pride in their beautiful creations. These creations are reckoned as a sign of prosperity and abundance. Also, a cue to the Goddess Lakshmi to come visit that house.
The spiritual significance of these colours, shapes and designs are the positive vibrations they create. The very act of creating something beautiful and colourful impact the vibes and moods of the environment around it.
Wishing all a Happy Makar Sankranti and a celebration in the true spirit of the festival !
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