The Hindu New Year's Day commences on the first day of the month called Chaitra or Chithirai. It is also called Chaitra Vishnu for this reason. The occasion is said to be an auspicious one because, at this time, the sun enters the sign Aries of• the Zodiac. The people call the occasion Chaitra Vishu Punyakalam or, the sacred occasion
The reason why the people in India compute the Indian year from this month when the sun enters Aries -- the ram in the signs of the Zodiac -- is said to be one philosophically derived from the science of cosmo-genesis. The Sanskrit word for 'ram' is aja which means 'that which is not born.' Therefore the sign of the Zodiac under reference stands for the ultimate cause of everything, and consequently the month in which the sun enters this sign is rightly considered to be the first month of the year. From time immemorial, the Hindu conception of an ideal life has been one of sacrifices and religious observances. Thus the information regarding the appropriate time for the observance of particular rites or ceremonies becomes important. This information is furnished by the Hindu astrologers and astronomers in the form of a calender called panchangams.
In ancient times books were very rare and even cudjan leaf manuscripts were not easily available to the vast majority of the people of a village; only the chief priest of the village held a copy of the precious manuscript and it was his duty to apprise the people in his village of the date of observance of a particular festival or Vrata. But in the beginning of the year the people desire to know the position of the various planets with reference to the sun and its effects on men, animals and plants. They also want to know whether the position of the planets would bring them rains in the proper seasons. So the custom of calculating and predicting the planetary influence over the earth through such astrological studies came in vogue.
The reason why the people in India compute the Indian year from this month when the sun enters Aries -- the ram in the signs of the Zodiac -- is said to be one philosophically derived from the science of cosmo-genesis. The Sanskrit word for 'ram' is aja which means 'that which is not born.' Therefore the sign of the Zodiac under reference stands for the ultimate cause of everything, and consequently the month in which the sun enters this sign is rightly considered to be the first month of the year. From time immemorial, the Hindu conception of an ideal life has been one of sacrifices and religious observances. Thus the information regarding the appropriate time for the observance of particular rites or ceremonies becomes important. This information is furnished by the Hindu astrologers and astronomers in the form of a calender called panchangams.
In ancient times books were very rare and even cudjan leaf manuscripts were not easily available to the vast majority of the people of a village; only the chief priest of the village held a copy of the precious manuscript and it was his duty to apprise the people in his village of the date of observance of a particular festival or Vrata. But in the beginning of the year the people desire to know the position of the various planets with reference to the sun and its effects on men, animals and plants. They also want to know whether the position of the planets would bring them rains in the proper seasons. So the custom of calculating and predicting the planetary influence over the earth through such astrological studies came in vogue.
Though the day commencing each month is considered to be auspicious yet special importance is attached to the occasions, Chaitra Vishu, Tula Ravi, Uttarayana and Dakshinayana. The solar year commences from the sun's entrance into aries -- the ram. The beginnings of the solar months are determined by the entry of the sun into the other zodiacal signs.
The solar years are recorded in the era of the Kaliyuga. Its years are converted into those of the Christian era by subtracting 3101, from the number of complete years that have lapsed since the beginning of the Kaliyuga. Similarly, the corresponding complete year of the Kaliyuga passed, is arrived at by adding 3101 to the Christian year. Further, by adding 3044 to the year in the Vikrama era and 3179 to the year in the Saka era the corresponding Kaliyuga year is arrived at. The lunar month Chandrayanam as opposed to the solar one Sourayanam is reckoned from the full moon to the full moon. It is invariably determined by the beginning of the bright fortnight of the month, but takes the name of the solar month in which the full moon occurs. Each month consists of two halves called 'pakshas' and each half is a fortnight in the month. The Sukla paksha or the bright fortnight is the period of the waxing moon while Krishna paksha or the dark fortnight is that of the waning moon. Each of these pakshas again consists of fifteen tithis. A tithi is the time required by the moon to increase its distance from the sun westward by twelve degrees of the zodiac.
As the true motions of the sun and the moon vary with their positions in their orbits the length or duration of a tithi is also variable. There are names given to these tithis of the fortnight and the fifteenth tithi of the bright fortnight is called the Purnamlisi tithi or the full moon, while the fifteenth tithi of the dark fortnight goes by the name Amavasya tithi or the new moon. In fact, the full moon and the new moon mark the end bright and dark fortnights of the month respectively.
It is also said that the Chaitra Vishu day or the opening day of the first fortnight of the waxing moon was the occasion chosen by Brahma to create this world. Hence this day is also known as yugadhi or the beginning of a yuga. This festive day is said to have acquired further importance by the fact that Sri Ramachandra, the hero of the epic Ramayana, had his triumphal entry into Ayodhya after the destruction of the rakshasas, and was crowned there on this day. There is also an allegorical myth regarding the origin of the Hindu cycle of sixty years and it is in brief as follows:
The sage Narada once betrayed a desire for worldly pleasures and in consequence had to take birth in this mortal world as a woman. He is said to have given birth to sixty children and the Hindu cycle of sixty years is said to have had its origin from those children. The Hindus believe that the twelve signs of the Zodiac represent twelve planets in the solar system. These planets and centres of consciousness are in the mighty cosmic deity or intelligence called Kalapurusha. In fact, the planets are said to be his head, face, breast, belly, navel, abdomen, genitals, teeth, eyes, knees, ankles and feet.
The Indian calendar is named panchangam since it is comprised of five limbs, and they are (1) the tithi, (2) the varam, (3) the nakshatram, (4) the yogam and (5) the karanam. A man desiring prosperity pays attention to the tithi. One desirous of long life understands everything about varam or the days of the week. The nakshatrams are resorted to, for expiating sin and the yogam for obtaining immunity from diseases. The karanam is said to secure success for the observer in all his undertakings. Thus, a proper understanding of planetary influences is essential for controlling them. Hence has arisen the proverb 'wise Inen rule the stars’.
The story is that once upon a time saint Narada, the celestial celebate, saw a pair of fish in conjugal happiness, while bathing in the sacred Ganges. His passions were excited and he felt a desire to lead a married life. The happiness of a family and the pleasure of children playing about, and a thousand and one things which make life enjoyable, templed even this citadel of celibacy, this ever-youthful ascetic. He made up his mind to give up his brahmacharya and lead the life of a householder. But, he thought, who would give him a wife, and, besides, he had no money to expend on the costly ceremony. What should he do? The best course was to go to Krishna, the king of Dwaraka, and the husband of sixteen thousand one hundred and eight wives! The Lord of Dwaraka could easily spare one, and would not miss her! And he was so fabulously rich that he could easily pay all the expenses! This unholy thought affected the sanctity of the great saint to a certain extent. God, however, felt himself bound to satisfy every desire of his devotees, and Narada stood at the top of them all! All-pervading Vishnu, therefore, organised a counterplot. He took no offence even at so insulting a proposal. Noticing that Narada laid much stress on the large number of his wives and hinted at the impossibility of one man meeting them every day, he asked the saint to go round his houses and to pick up that woman with whom he was not living. Poor Narada! He was not in his senses.
He took the bait, and actually went round the whole city, but in every house that Narada visited he found Krishna there, either playing with the children or enjoying the company of his wife in a thousand and one ways. Always happy, always jolly, always in the enjoyment of the highest blessing, possible a married man! That sight still more excited the passions of. Narada. He was still thinking how to get a wife when his time for prayer came. As he always bathed and repeated his prayers very punctually, he involuntarily went to the Ganges to bathe. Narada was thinking of going again to Krishna for a wife when he rook another dip, and on coming up to the surface of the water was astonished to see that he was turned into a woman! she got out of the stream and was going to change her wet clothes, when, lo! a big, tall, stout, manly, good-looking sanyasi accosted her. He caught her (Naradi as she must hence be called) by the hand, took her to a cottage and a marriage-by-capture followed. She gave birth to sixty sons one after another, every year! Worried, exhausted, fatigued, bored to death by these numerous sons, at the end of the sixtieth year she involuntarily prayed to Lord Vishnu to relieve her of this worldly misery! Repentance did not come too late for the 1ong, eternal (free from death) life of Narada ! The sanyasi disappeared and there appeared in his place the glorious Lord of the Universe, god Vishnu, with four hands, holding sankha, chakra,gada and padma and said: 'What are your wishes, O eminent woman? They shall be granted!' Naradi looked aghast, looked at the lord again, wiped her eyes and said: 'You know it, my lord. Fool that I was, I thought married life was a bed of roses, full of. happiness and pleasures. Save me, my lord!'
'Rise, dear Narada, rise!' was the response. He was transformed into a fully equipped young ascetic in every detail! The god Vishnu embraced him as a friend and asked him to name any other desire, but by this time the sixty sons had gathered round their mother clamouring for food! Narada appealed to Vishnu to silence them. Vishnu gave them the Raj of the world to be enjoyed by turns for oneyear at a time. This is how each Hindu year has a separate name for a cycle of sixty years. At the end of this cycle falls the Kapila Shasthi, the sacred day on which Naradi was re-transformed into saint Narada !
Here is the list of the sixty sons of Naradi, after whom the lunar years in the cycle are still being called.
Prabhav, Vibhav, Shukla, Paramoda, Prajapati, Angira, Shrimukha, Bhava, Yuva, Dhatu, Ishwar, Bahudanya, Pramathi, Vikrama, Vrisha, Chitrabhanu, Subhanu, Taran, Prartiva, Vyaya, Sarvajit, Sarvadhari, Virodhi, Vikriti, Khara, Nandana, Vijaya, Jaya, Marmath, Durmikha, Hemalambi, Vilambi, Vikari, Sharvar, Plava, Shubakrit, Shobhana, Krodhi, Vishvavasu, Parabhava, Plavanga, Kilaka, Saumya, Sadharana, Virodhikrita, Paridhavi, Pramadi, Ananda, Rakshasa, Nala, Pingala. Kalayukta, Sitdharti, Raudri, Durmati, Dundubhi, Rudhirodgari, Raktakshi, Krodhana, and Akshaya.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Holi the Festival of Color
Holi - the Festival of Colour
22 March 2007
Holi is celebrated annually on the full Moon day in the month of Phalgun (March when the Moon is full in either of the Phalguni nakshatras) and the Festival of colours is on Pratima tithi of the krishna paksha.
Holi literally means burning. It is an ancient festival that is celebrated throughout India. its many myths explain the meaning of the holi.
Traditionally Holi signals the end of winter and the start of Spring. Holi is celebrated as the triumph off good over evil just like the spring triumphs over the dark and dismal winter. In the many myths of Holi festival the good wins over evil. on a more personal level we can use the festival of holi to awaken the spirit. Like the freshness of spring, the soul awakens to new energy and burns away the negativity of the past and is rejuvenated. This is the day to make a fresh start annually. It is also a good time for physical as well as spiritual regeneration.
The festival lasts for two days. On the full moon of Phalgun month, the evil Holika is burnt symbolically in huge bonfires at sunset and the next morning is the celebrationof this victory with colour. This day is known as Dhuleti when people celebrate by colouring each other with gulal ( red colour) and now many other bright colours. The colours, representing the colours of spring, the joy of the victory of the good. Joy of a new light burning within the resurgent soul.
Myths of Holi
Hiranyakashyapu was a powerful king and he ordered his people to worship him as God. His son Prahlad refused his father's orders and continued to worship Lord Vishnu. The king wanted to kill Prahlada and wipe out the very name of Lord Vishnu. He sent his sister Holika, who possessed the boom of never being burnt by fire, to destroy Prahlada. The evil Holika did not know that this boon only works if she sits in the fire alone. When she takes Prahlad with her and sits in huge fire. She gets destroyed whereas Prahlada emerges unscathed. Holi commemorates this, and huge bonfires are burnt on the eve of Holi on the full Moon in Phalgun as its symbolic representation of victory of good.
The two important legends around Holi are of Kamadeva and Krishna.
Kamdeva, the god of love aimed his arrow Lord Shiva who was in deep meditation. Lord Shiva opened his third eye and burnt him to ashes. Kamdeva’s wife Rati, beseeched Lord Shiva to restore her husband to life. Shiv relented and granted her the boon that she could see her husband but he would remain "anang" that meant without the physical human form. The songs sung during Holi tell the story of Rati’s sorrow about Kamadeva. This is a festival of love and sacrifice.
Lord Krishna, the 8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu is also worshipped during the Holi festival. Putana, a female demon was sent by the Kamsa to kill the child Krishna. In guise of a beautiful woman, Putana went about in Krishna’s village Nandgaon suckling every child to death. But when the infant Krishna sucked her breasts, blood started flowing and she died instead. The evening before Holi, bonfires are lit to celebrate the victory of Krishna and the death of Putana. Putana also represents winter and her death the end of winter.
Celebrating Holi spiritually
We can use this full moon of Holi to burn away any negativity in our inner self. Annually this can be a good day to symbolically burn away negative thoughts, let go of any addictions or bad habits. Make a resolution to purify the inner self through good deeds in action and thought. We may not be able to achieve total purification but we can begin on the path.
22 March 2007
Holi is celebrated annually on the full Moon day in the month of Phalgun (March when the Moon is full in either of the Phalguni nakshatras) and the Festival of colours is on Pratima tithi of the krishna paksha.
Holi literally means burning. It is an ancient festival that is celebrated throughout India. its many myths explain the meaning of the holi.
Traditionally Holi signals the end of winter and the start of Spring. Holi is celebrated as the triumph off good over evil just like the spring triumphs over the dark and dismal winter. In the many myths of Holi festival the good wins over evil. on a more personal level we can use the festival of holi to awaken the spirit. Like the freshness of spring, the soul awakens to new energy and burns away the negativity of the past and is rejuvenated. This is the day to make a fresh start annually. It is also a good time for physical as well as spiritual regeneration.
The festival lasts for two days. On the full moon of Phalgun month, the evil Holika is burnt symbolically in huge bonfires at sunset and the next morning is the celebrationof this victory with colour. This day is known as Dhuleti when people celebrate by colouring each other with gulal ( red colour) and now many other bright colours. The colours, representing the colours of spring, the joy of the victory of the good. Joy of a new light burning within the resurgent soul.
Myths of Holi
Hiranyakashyapu was a powerful king and he ordered his people to worship him as God. His son Prahlad refused his father's orders and continued to worship Lord Vishnu. The king wanted to kill Prahlada and wipe out the very name of Lord Vishnu. He sent his sister Holika, who possessed the boom of never being burnt by fire, to destroy Prahlada. The evil Holika did not know that this boon only works if she sits in the fire alone. When she takes Prahlad with her and sits in huge fire. She gets destroyed whereas Prahlada emerges unscathed. Holi commemorates this, and huge bonfires are burnt on the eve of Holi on the full Moon in Phalgun as its symbolic representation of victory of good.
The two important legends around Holi are of Kamadeva and Krishna.
Kamdeva, the god of love aimed his arrow Lord Shiva who was in deep meditation. Lord Shiva opened his third eye and burnt him to ashes. Kamdeva’s wife Rati, beseeched Lord Shiva to restore her husband to life. Shiv relented and granted her the boon that she could see her husband but he would remain "anang" that meant without the physical human form. The songs sung during Holi tell the story of Rati’s sorrow about Kamadeva. This is a festival of love and sacrifice.
Lord Krishna, the 8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu is also worshipped during the Holi festival. Putana, a female demon was sent by the Kamsa to kill the child Krishna. In guise of a beautiful woman, Putana went about in Krishna’s village Nandgaon suckling every child to death. But when the infant Krishna sucked her breasts, blood started flowing and she died instead. The evening before Holi, bonfires are lit to celebrate the victory of Krishna and the death of Putana. Putana also represents winter and her death the end of winter.
Celebrating Holi spiritually
We can use this full moon of Holi to burn away any negativity in our inner self. Annually this can be a good day to symbolically burn away negative thoughts, let go of any addictions or bad habits. Make a resolution to purify the inner self through good deeds in action and thought. We may not be able to achieve total purification but we can begin on the path.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri
6 March 2007
Celebrated annually on Chaturdashi Tithi of the Krishna Paksha, month of Phalgun ( 14th day of the lunar phase in Feb or March)
Shiva ratri literally means Shiva's night. It is celebrated on the darkest night of the Moon. This night also indicates the shift of seasons- from winter to spirng. Shiva married parvati on this night.
Vrata, A strict fast is observed preferably one where you do not even drink water. Devottes remain awake all night chanting OmNamah Shivaya, the sacred panchaakshari mantra for Shiva. The Shiva Lingam is worshipped all night by washing it every three hours with milk, curd, honey, rose water, etc. Offerings of bael leaves are made to the Lingam. Bael leaves are very sacred as, it is said, Lakshmi resides in them.
Lord Shiva is Light which is burning with the fire of austerity. He is best propitiated with cool bathing known as Abhishekham. The devottes ask him to burn away their sins and give them wisdom.
The fast for Mahashivaratri is considered a perfect fast.
It is also a good day for you to chant OM NAMAH SHIVAYA at least 108 times
At the Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh, the Shivaratri festival is celebrated in the following manner.
All spiritual aspirants fast the whole day, many of them without taking even a single drop of water.
A grand havan is performed for the peace and welfare of all.
The whole day is spent in doing the Japa of Om Namah Shivaya and in meditation upon the Lord.
At night all assemble in the temple and chant Om Namah Shivaya the whole night.
During the four quarters of the night the Shiva Lingam is worshipped with intense devotion.
Sannyas Diksha is also given on this day to sincere seekers on the path.
6 March 2007
Celebrated annually on Chaturdashi Tithi of the Krishna Paksha, month of Phalgun ( 14th day of the lunar phase in Feb or March)
Shiva ratri literally means Shiva's night. It is celebrated on the darkest night of the Moon. This night also indicates the shift of seasons- from winter to spirng. Shiva married parvati on this night.
Vrata, A strict fast is observed preferably one where you do not even drink water. Devottes remain awake all night chanting OmNamah Shivaya, the sacred panchaakshari mantra for Shiva. The Shiva Lingam is worshipped all night by washing it every three hours with milk, curd, honey, rose water, etc. Offerings of bael leaves are made to the Lingam. Bael leaves are very sacred as, it is said, Lakshmi resides in them.
Lord Shiva is Light which is burning with the fire of austerity. He is best propitiated with cool bathing known as Abhishekham. The devottes ask him to burn away their sins and give them wisdom.
The fast for Mahashivaratri is considered a perfect fast.
It is also a good day for you to chant OM NAMAH SHIVAYA at least 108 times
At the Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh, the Shivaratri festival is celebrated in the following manner.
All spiritual aspirants fast the whole day, many of them without taking even a single drop of water.
A grand havan is performed for the peace and welfare of all.
The whole day is spent in doing the Japa of Om Namah Shivaya and in meditation upon the Lord.
At night all assemble in the temple and chant Om Namah Shivaya the whole night.
During the four quarters of the night the Shiva Lingam is worshipped with intense devotion.
Sannyas Diksha is also given on this day to sincere seekers on the path.
Surya Sankranti: Solar Calendar
The Solar Calendar
The Sun in the 12 signs of the Zodiac........Indian solar, lunar and lunisolar almanacs
India's numerous calendars count the days by the sun, the moon, a combination of the two, or by the Indian Zodiac of rashis, and beginning from several different Eras.
Calendars can be confusing: solar, lunar, lunisolar, zodiacal, weekly, epochal, fiscal… The very numerous and diverse people of India use around 30 calendars, depending on regional differences and religious, agricultural and astrological purposes. Astronomical and astrological information can be read off panchangams or panchangs, or printed calendars.
In the solar calendar, the beginning of each month is determined by the entry of the sun into one of the twelve “rashis” or signs of the Indian zodiac, which corresponds to the Western Zodiac (it has been speculated that the Western and the Indian zodiacs have a common Sumerian origin). This makes for 12 solar months, between 29 to 32 days in length, each named after the rashi the sun is traveling in during that month:
Mesha (April/May) = Aries
Vrushabha (May/June) = Taurus
Mithuna (June/July) = Gemini
Karka (July/Aug) = Cancer
Simha (Aug./Sept) = Leo
Kanya (Sept./Oct) = Virgo
Tula (Oct/Nov) = Libra
Vrushchika (Nov/Dec) = Scorpius
Dhanu (Dec/Jan) = Saggitarius
Makara (Jan/Feb) = Capricornus
Kumbha (Feb/Mar) = Aquarius
Meena (Mar/Apr) = Pisces
A lunar month can run from new moon to new moon, culminating with the Full Moon or Purnima, as in Southern India. In North India, however, months may begin with the full moon. The traditional names of the lunar months were adopted in the Indian national calendar, which was introduced in 1957. That more uniform calendar, however, is lunisolar, making each month count 30 or 31 days:
Chaitra (Chetra, Caitra, Chithirai): begins 22 March (21 March in a leap year)
Vaisakha: 21 April
Jyaistha: 22 May
Asadha: 22 June
Sravana: 23 July
Bhadra: 23 August
Asvina: 23 September
Kartika: 23 October
Margashirsh (Agrahayana): 22 November
Pausa: 22 December
Magha: 21 January
Phalguna: 20 February
When precisely a month begins is dependent on many variable, often intricate rules. There are also many different “Year 0”s from which the chronologies start counting. The Indian national calendar counts the years in the Saka Era, which is the reference for most Sanskrit astronomical works after 500 AD. Year 0 of the Saka Era corresponds to 78 AD, so the official New Year’s Day (22 March 2007) jumpstarts year 2064. But other calendars, many of which are far more popular, count from other Eras.
Needless to say, this makes for a lot of different Indian New Years and New Year’s Days!
The Sun in the 12 signs of the Zodiac........Indian solar, lunar and lunisolar almanacs
India's numerous calendars count the days by the sun, the moon, a combination of the two, or by the Indian Zodiac of rashis, and beginning from several different Eras.
Calendars can be confusing: solar, lunar, lunisolar, zodiacal, weekly, epochal, fiscal… The very numerous and diverse people of India use around 30 calendars, depending on regional differences and religious, agricultural and astrological purposes. Astronomical and astrological information can be read off panchangams or panchangs, or printed calendars.
In the solar calendar, the beginning of each month is determined by the entry of the sun into one of the twelve “rashis” or signs of the Indian zodiac, which corresponds to the Western Zodiac (it has been speculated that the Western and the Indian zodiacs have a common Sumerian origin). This makes for 12 solar months, between 29 to 32 days in length, each named after the rashi the sun is traveling in during that month:
Mesha (April/May) = Aries
Vrushabha (May/June) = Taurus
Mithuna (June/July) = Gemini
Karka (July/Aug) = Cancer
Simha (Aug./Sept) = Leo
Kanya (Sept./Oct) = Virgo
Tula (Oct/Nov) = Libra
Vrushchika (Nov/Dec) = Scorpius
Dhanu (Dec/Jan) = Saggitarius
Makara (Jan/Feb) = Capricornus
Kumbha (Feb/Mar) = Aquarius
Meena (Mar/Apr) = Pisces
A lunar month can run from new moon to new moon, culminating with the Full Moon or Purnima, as in Southern India. In North India, however, months may begin with the full moon. The traditional names of the lunar months were adopted in the Indian national calendar, which was introduced in 1957. That more uniform calendar, however, is lunisolar, making each month count 30 or 31 days:
Chaitra (Chetra, Caitra, Chithirai): begins 22 March (21 March in a leap year)
Vaisakha: 21 April
Jyaistha: 22 May
Asadha: 22 June
Sravana: 23 July
Bhadra: 23 August
Asvina: 23 September
Kartika: 23 October
Margashirsh (Agrahayana): 22 November
Pausa: 22 December
Magha: 21 January
Phalguna: 20 February
When precisely a month begins is dependent on many variable, often intricate rules. There are also many different “Year 0”s from which the chronologies start counting. The Indian national calendar counts the years in the Saka Era, which is the reference for most Sanskrit astronomical works after 500 AD. Year 0 of the Saka Era corresponds to 78 AD, so the official New Year’s Day (22 March 2007) jumpstarts year 2064. But other calendars, many of which are far more popular, count from other Eras.
Needless to say, this makes for a lot of different Indian New Years and New Year’s Days!
Makar Sankranti
Makara Sankranti
15 January 2008
Sankranti means to go from one place to another place (to change). It also means one meets another. The time when the Sun moves from one sign of the zodiac to another is also known as Sankranti. Makara is the sign of Capricorn. Annually when Sun moves from the sign of Sagittarius to Capricorn, then Makar Sankrati is celebrated. In India, everytime the Sun changes sign, it is celelbrated but Makar Sankranti is the most major celebration as this is when the Sun stops moving away from earth and begins Uttarayana or the northerly course coming closer to earth and promising longer and warmer days. In north India this is considered the coldest day of the year.
Makara Sankrani is the day the Sun dies and is reborn. The symbolic rebirth of the Sun, celebrates the Sun coming back towards the earth on its northerly route. The ancients felt that the Sun on its southerly route was going away from them and they were getting less of its energy. This is a major celebration, prayers are said to welcome Sun the back. The Sun is divine light and wisdom, the living god. Makara Sankranti signifies that we should turn away from the darkness of delusion in which we live in, and begin to joyously let the light within us shine brighter and brighter. We should gradually begin to grow in purity, wisdom, and knowledge, as the Sun does from this day.
Sun’s entry into Capricorn is celebrated all over India in different ways in each of the different regions of India. Makara Sankranti is called Pongal by the Tamilians, for whom it ushers in the New Year. The day begins with Surya Pongal or sun worship. The newly harvested corn and rice is then cooked for the first time. Lohri is celebrated on Makara Sankranti day as well. According to Bhagawad Gita, Lord Krishna manifests himself in his full magnificence during this time. Bonfires are lit in houses to symbolically show the ending of the old year and the light Sun will bring to all in the coming months.
To celebrate Pongal and Lohri, we should extend our love to the poor, the needy, the animals and honour the food we eat. It is good to give gifts of money and clothes. But also to use this energy as a day for rebirth where we let go of our past issues and develop warmth and love for others and bring divine light to our life.
15 January 2008
Sankranti means to go from one place to another place (to change). It also means one meets another. The time when the Sun moves from one sign of the zodiac to another is also known as Sankranti. Makara is the sign of Capricorn. Annually when Sun moves from the sign of Sagittarius to Capricorn, then Makar Sankrati is celebrated. In India, everytime the Sun changes sign, it is celelbrated but Makar Sankranti is the most major celebration as this is when the Sun stops moving away from earth and begins Uttarayana or the northerly course coming closer to earth and promising longer and warmer days. In north India this is considered the coldest day of the year.
Makara Sankrani is the day the Sun dies and is reborn. The symbolic rebirth of the Sun, celebrates the Sun coming back towards the earth on its northerly route. The ancients felt that the Sun on its southerly route was going away from them and they were getting less of its energy. This is a major celebration, prayers are said to welcome Sun the back. The Sun is divine light and wisdom, the living god. Makara Sankranti signifies that we should turn away from the darkness of delusion in which we live in, and begin to joyously let the light within us shine brighter and brighter. We should gradually begin to grow in purity, wisdom, and knowledge, as the Sun does from this day.
Sun’s entry into Capricorn is celebrated all over India in different ways in each of the different regions of India. Makara Sankranti is called Pongal by the Tamilians, for whom it ushers in the New Year. The day begins with Surya Pongal or sun worship. The newly harvested corn and rice is then cooked for the first time. Lohri is celebrated on Makara Sankranti day as well. According to Bhagawad Gita, Lord Krishna manifests himself in his full magnificence during this time. Bonfires are lit in houses to symbolically show the ending of the old year and the light Sun will bring to all in the coming months.
To celebrate Pongal and Lohri, we should extend our love to the poor, the needy, the animals and honour the food we eat. It is good to give gifts of money and clothes. But also to use this energy as a day for rebirth where we let go of our past issues and develop warmth and love for others and bring divine light to our life.
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