SANKRANTHI: THE HINDU NEW YEAR FESTIVAL

Sankranti or Sankranthi is a festival that indicates the harvesting season for farmers in the Indian Sub-continent region. Sankranthi is not only celebrated in India but also in some South East Asian countries. Makara Sankranthi has a lot of significance in terms of geology, agriculture and economy. Makara Sankranthi marks the Sun’s transition into Capricorn and thus indicating the gradual increase of the duration of day and the end of Winter Solstice. In other words, the day when the Sun starts its journey towards the north is celebrated as Makara Sankranthi. It is interesting to note that Sankranthi is a Sanskrit word that means ‘transition’. Makara Sankranthi usually falls in the middle of January and is celebrated as one of the most auspicious festivals in the Sub-Continent.

Makara Sankranthi is also celebrated to worship the Goddess of Knowledge, Saraswati Maa. During the beginning of the festival the departed ancestors are remembered. Sankranthi is also thought to be auspicious for those who are looking to fulfilling their goals in life. The day before Makara Sankranthi is called Bhogi. On Bhogi people discard old and useless items and buy new things for themselves. Sweets are prepared and distributed generously and families come together and make merry on this joyous occasion. The landlord gifts his workers with new clothes, food and money. On Makara Sankranthi people feed animals and birds as an expression of sharing and showing respect to nature. Traveling on this day is not considered appropriate as the day is dedicated for the family members to spend time together. People go to their Gurus to seek their blessings. The festival has a deep spiritual significance as many rituals are connected to it. Some of the major festivals in India that have similarities to Makara Sankranthi are Shivratri, Holi, Saraswati Jayanti, Nau Ratum, Raksha Bandhan, Hanuman Jayanti, Pitri Paksk, Divali, Dusshera, and Kartik. In Andhra Pradesh, the festival is celebrated for three days:

Day 1 they celebrate Bhogi Pandunga.
Day 2 they celebrate Sankranthi.
Day 3 they end the festival with Kanuma Panduga.

On the first day of the festival people celebrate Bhogi. On this day people make a bonfire with all the old articles in their house. On the second day Sankranthi is celebrated where people get gifts and wear new clothes and they worship and offer sweets to their Gods. The third and final day is Kanuma Panduga which marks the end of the festival.

Makara Sankranthi is a very important festival for the Hindus and is celebrated in most parts of India.