At the outset, a very Happy New Year to all my dear readers and followers..
It is disappointing for me to meet you all after lapse of a year. Nevertheless, we meet again and this time I'll put a number of posts with random pictures that I click hither and thither, wherever I go.
Since childhood days, we come across different state festivals, either at our homes or in school curriculum. However, we tend to forget about them as we grow up, and get engrossed in serious worldly business around us. So this post, endeavours to bring glimpses of Lohri and Makar Sankranti. Along with this, it talks about Agni, an essential element of the celebrations.
Lohri~
The origins of Lohri (Lodi or gurmukhi),a Punjabi festive celebration, can be traced back to people's customary ritual of celebrating the end of winter solstice. It was originally celebrated on winter solstice day, the shortest day and the longest night of the year. It is also considered as the beginning of the new financial year by farmers who actually start harvesting Rabi crops after the festival.
Makar Sankranti~
Alongside Punjab which celebrates Lohri, a couple of Indian states as well as Nepal celebrate Makar Sankranti( also called Pongal/ Maghe Sankranti/ Makara Sankramana/ Maghe/ Khichdi/Uttarayan/ Bhogali Bihu and such other names) which is a harvestal festival that celebrates the arrival of the beautiful Spring Season and cessation of the northeast monsoon in South India. This even marks the beginning of new year in West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Assam along with many other states. As per Indian culture, this holy day marks the yearly transition into an auspicious phase. It holds historical and religious significance as it has has its roots attached back to the ancient era of the Mahabharata. Being the festival of Sun God, who he is regarded as the symbol of divinity and wisdom, Makar Sankranti holds an eternal meaning.
A glimpse into Makar Sankranti in Odisha~
In Odisha, which largely has an agrarian economy, Makar Sankranti is one of the most important festivals, more so for the farming community. It holds traditional cultural significance. It is astronomically important for devotees who worship the Sun God at the Konark Temple (Sun Temple) with fervour and enthusiasm as the sun starts its annual movement northwards. As per Indian calendars, the Sun's movement changes and the days from this day onwards become lengthier and warmer for which we worship Sun-God on this day. People prepare makara chaula, uncooked newly harvested rice, banana, coconut, jaggery, sesame seeds, rasagolla, khai and chhena(Cottage cheese) puddings or kheer for offering to the deities. Makara Mela (Fun fair) is observed near a no. of temples in different districts of the State. Makara Sankranti celebration is next to the Odia traditional new year Maha Vishuva Sankranti which falls in mid April.
Agni~
A key feauture of both Lohri and Makar Sankranti is setting of bonfire. As in different winter solstice festivals, lighting of bonfire on Lohri day signifies return of longer days.
In traditional Hindu Mythology and its varied religious texts, Agni, the god of fire and sacrifice, of divine knowledge, identified with energy and action, the first emanation and the sacred spark hidden within all beings has multifaceted roles. Agni is a cosmic energy bundle that powers human beings at mundane level (wherein it helps manifesting food into working eneregy) as well as at the esoteric level (wherein converts ignorance into perfection). Ranging from the sacrificial fire to the cremation fire, Agni is considerd as a means that transports humans to Gods. Out of 1,028 hymns of the Rig Veda, 218 are dedicated to Agni. Alongwith Varuna( the God of Water and the celestial ocean) and Indra( God of rain and thunderstorm) Agni is one of the supreme gods in the Rig Veda.
The first hymn of Rig Veda is dedicated to Agni ( Agni Suktam) which best summarises the power and role of Agni in Hindu religion.
~I implore Agni, the chief priest, the divine minister of the sacrifice, the Hotri priest, the best giver of wealth.
Agni, worthy to be implored by former poets and by new, may he bring the gods hither!
Through Agni man gained wealth, satisfying even day by day, glorious wealth of vigorous kindred.
Agni, the offering which thou encirclest on all sides, that alone goes to the gods.
Agni, the Hotri priest, the wise counsellor, the truthful, the most glorious, may he, the God, come with the gods!
Whatever wealth thou, Agni, shalt bestow on the sacrificer, thine it will be, forsooth, Agni.
To thee, O Agni, we come day by day, bringing praise in mind, O Illuminator of Darkness!
To thee, the Lord of sacrifices, the bright Guarder of the Law, who art growing in thy own house.
Thou then, O Agni, be gracious to us like as a father to his son; stay with us for our welfare!
-Translation of Agni suktam, Hymn 1, Book 1 , The Rig Veda..
~Lohri Fire Altar
~ Offerings made to Agni on Lohri. It is a customary belief that this ushers in Good Luck!!
Happy Makar Sankranti :)
Sources: Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Agni
It is disappointing for me to meet you all after lapse of a year. Nevertheless, we meet again and this time I'll put a number of posts with random pictures that I click hither and thither, wherever I go.
Since childhood days, we come across different state festivals, either at our homes or in school curriculum. However, we tend to forget about them as we grow up, and get engrossed in serious worldly business around us. So this post, endeavours to bring glimpses of Lohri and Makar Sankranti. Along with this, it talks about Agni, an essential element of the celebrations.
Lohri~
The origins of Lohri (Lodi or gurmukhi),a Punjabi festive celebration, can be traced back to people's customary ritual of celebrating the end of winter solstice. It was originally celebrated on winter solstice day, the shortest day and the longest night of the year. It is also considered as the beginning of the new financial year by farmers who actually start harvesting Rabi crops after the festival.
Makar Sankranti~
Alongside Punjab which celebrates Lohri, a couple of Indian states as well as Nepal celebrate Makar Sankranti( also called Pongal/ Maghe Sankranti/ Makara Sankramana/ Maghe/ Khichdi/Uttarayan/ Bhogali Bihu and such other names) which is a harvestal festival that celebrates the arrival of the beautiful Spring Season and cessation of the northeast monsoon in South India. This even marks the beginning of new year in West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Assam along with many other states. As per Indian culture, this holy day marks the yearly transition into an auspicious phase. It holds historical and religious significance as it has has its roots attached back to the ancient era of the Mahabharata. Being the festival of Sun God, who he is regarded as the symbol of divinity and wisdom, Makar Sankranti holds an eternal meaning.
A glimpse into Makar Sankranti in Odisha~
In Odisha, which largely has an agrarian economy, Makar Sankranti is one of the most important festivals, more so for the farming community. It holds traditional cultural significance. It is astronomically important for devotees who worship the Sun God at the Konark Temple (Sun Temple) with fervour and enthusiasm as the sun starts its annual movement northwards. As per Indian calendars, the Sun's movement changes and the days from this day onwards become lengthier and warmer for which we worship Sun-God on this day. People prepare makara chaula, uncooked newly harvested rice, banana, coconut, jaggery, sesame seeds, rasagolla, khai and chhena(Cottage cheese) puddings or kheer for offering to the deities. Makara Mela (Fun fair) is observed near a no. of temples in different districts of the State. Makara Sankranti celebration is next to the Odia traditional new year Maha Vishuva Sankranti which falls in mid April.
Agni~
A key feauture of both Lohri and Makar Sankranti is setting of bonfire. As in different winter solstice festivals, lighting of bonfire on Lohri day signifies return of longer days.
In traditional Hindu Mythology and its varied religious texts, Agni, the god of fire and sacrifice, of divine knowledge, identified with energy and action, the first emanation and the sacred spark hidden within all beings has multifaceted roles. Agni is a cosmic energy bundle that powers human beings at mundane level (wherein it helps manifesting food into working eneregy) as well as at the esoteric level (wherein converts ignorance into perfection). Ranging from the sacrificial fire to the cremation fire, Agni is considerd as a means that transports humans to Gods. Out of 1,028 hymns of the Rig Veda, 218 are dedicated to Agni. Alongwith Varuna( the God of Water and the celestial ocean) and Indra( God of rain and thunderstorm) Agni is one of the supreme gods in the Rig Veda.
The first hymn of Rig Veda is dedicated to Agni ( Agni Suktam) which best summarises the power and role of Agni in Hindu religion.
~I implore Agni, the chief priest, the divine minister of the sacrifice, the Hotri priest, the best giver of wealth.
Agni, worthy to be implored by former poets and by new, may he bring the gods hither!
Through Agni man gained wealth, satisfying even day by day, glorious wealth of vigorous kindred.
Agni, the offering which thou encirclest on all sides, that alone goes to the gods.
Agni, the Hotri priest, the wise counsellor, the truthful, the most glorious, may he, the God, come with the gods!
Whatever wealth thou, Agni, shalt bestow on the sacrificer, thine it will be, forsooth, Agni.
To thee, O Agni, we come day by day, bringing praise in mind, O Illuminator of Darkness!
To thee, the Lord of sacrifices, the bright Guarder of the Law, who art growing in thy own house.
Thou then, O Agni, be gracious to us like as a father to his son; stay with us for our welfare!
-Translation of Agni suktam, Hymn 1, Book 1 , The Rig Veda..
~Lohri Fire Altar
Sources: Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Agni
