Wednesday 4 January 2012

Makar Sankranti - Odisha


Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious day for Hindus, and is celebrated in the month of Magha(14 January), when the sun passes through the winter solstice, from the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn. Makar Sankranti marks the beginning of the Sun's journey to the Northern Hemisphere (Makara raasi), signifying the onset of Uttarayana Punyakalam. Makar Sankranti.

Largely in Odisha celebrated as a major harvest festival as well as almost all parts of  India. The god sun is worshipped with great fervour and enthusiasm by one and all, when the Sun enters the orbit of capricon. The festival can be best enjoyed at Kalijai (an island in Chilika), Atri, Ghatgaon, Keonjhar, Jashipur and Jagatsinghpur, any local sacred rivers in their locality and pray to Lord Sun. It is a day for which Bhishma Pitamaha kept waiting to leave his mortal coil according to mahavaratha.

In Odisha people prepare uncooked 'makar chaula’ which is the mixture of newly harvested rice, banana, coconut, jaggery, sesame, rasagola, khoi, chhena, dry fruits, sugar, ilaich, black paper offered to the God.

Most of people in India  start their New Year from the day of Sankranti by lighting bonfires, dancing and eating their particular dishes sitting together with regular chores and spent time in musical soirees with friends and relatives. The Kite flying is also arranged with much fun and enthusiasm on Makar Sankranti.




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