Happy Makar Sankranti /Pongal/Lohri/Khichari/Bihu

"Sankranti" means the "apparent passage of the sun from one rasi to the next."  Hence the rasi in which the sun enters is designated as the sankranti of that name. When the sun leaves the rasi called Dhanu and enters the Makar rasi it is called Makar Sankranti.  Six months of Uttarayana is one day of the Devas (devayana). Six months of Dakshinayana is one night of the Devas (Pitruayana).  Makar Sankranti occurs on the 14th of January or the month of Paush.

'Kranti' means change, and 'san' means good. Thus Sankranti means "the good change". As Bhagwan Surya enters the makar rasi marking the end of dakshinayana and beginning of uttarayana, the nights get shorter, and days get longer. Symbolically, it marks the movement from darkness towards light, from lethargy to activity, to an abundance of energy. In social terms it represents the passage of society from ignorance (darkness) to knowledge (light), from ignobility to nobility, from despondency to hope, and from wretchedness to greatness. It symbolizes the riddance of inactivity and lethargy, and the march towards higher achievements with renewed energy and firm resolve. The entire society is recharged with a positive uplifting feeling. This day summons us to shed all our negative tendencies and fill our minds with positive thoughts, and thus inspired, engage in noble, creative actions.

 Spiritual and social significance

Makar Sankranti is a social festival; a time to offer. In south Bharat it is known as Pongal. In UP it is known as khichari. In Assam and other eastern states, it is celebrated as Bihu. It is celebrated as Lohri in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. A huge fire is lit at night around which the villagers assemble to sing and dance. Til-gud, corn, rice is offered in the Agni (known as Til-Chauli). Even in ancient Rome it was celebrated by distributing dates, figs and honey. In Greece even today Til sweets are distributed on this occasion.  

Throughout Bharat everybody distributes Til Gud. This is done to counter the cold weather, but it has a deeper significance.

Til gud has a special significance. Til (sesame seeds) are a symbol of us, our bodies. The gud is sweet and sticky, it binds the til together to make a sweet laddoo. A lot of til goes into making one laddoo. Since one til represents us, a whole bunch of til is symbolic of the society we live in. The gud signifies binding the society together with sweetness. In doing so all barriers of caste, creed, high and low are extinguished. While distributing the laddoo we say, "accept this til gud laddoo and speak sweetly." 

The food of the day is Khichari. It is made all over the country, from east to west, from north to south. Khichari is made from rice and dal (lentil), which is freely available, even the poorest of the poor can afford it. Thus, the making of khichari is a reminder that all of society is equal, there is no high or low.

 From ancient times our ancestors, the worshippers of knowledge, have held this day in great esteem. In that same tradition, our work is also one of destroying the deep-seated darkness and inactivity within the society and infusing it with life and inner awakening.

 Samyaka disha mein kranti - that is bringing about a revolution in the society that is auspicious, liberating, uplifting and refreshing in every way. Kranti means a positive fundamental change that will bring you closer to the Truth (Surya) in an absolute sense. It is this supreme light and intelligence coupled with the warmth of the heart alone that can ultimately lead to all-round human harmony and happiness. 

 The break of dawn, heralding light, also signifies the awakening of man from sleep. A day of physical, mental and intellectual activity ensues. It rouses the faculties of endeavor and diligent pursuit of one's duties in life. Sloth, indolence and sluggishness are shaken off giving place to vigor, vitality and manly efforts.

Hindu philosophy has eulogized human endeavor as a supreme value without which nothing worthwhile can be achieved in life. Says a Subhaashita: 

Udyamam saahasam dhairyam buddhisshaktih paraakramaha

Shadete yatra vartante tatra devaassahaayakrit ||

 Ishwar will help those who display the six attributes of endeavor, daring, fortitude, wisdom, strength and valor. Makar Sankramana gives the call for the awakening of all these latent powers in man not only for the flowering of his individual personality to its fullest but also for the well-being and glory of society as a whole. 

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