Sankranthi ushers new hope

Bengaluru, Jan 14: The festival of harvest has ushered in. Sankranthi day is a Holy day because people honour it as such. Sankranthi, is the day which takes you from darkness to light; the path of light is open from Jan 14, Wednesday. On this day, the Sun starts on His northward journey by entering the Makara sign of zodiac.

Change for good is Sankranthi. The time when the nature abounds with fecundity; the time to celebrate plenty. You think of Sankranthi and you don't eat ellu-bella, a motley mixture of sesame, groundnut and diced copra and jaggery. Of Course 'sakkare acchus' (Sugar cakes)
cannot be forgotten.

The sugar cakes moulded in various shapes is enthralling to eyes as well as to mouth.
The vegetable markets since a week were loaded with sugar canes. It is custom here that on the day of Sankranthi friends and family come together and distribute ellu-bella and sakkare achchu amongst themselves. Girls clad with new dress visit their neighbours house to distribute the ellu-bella.

This festival is also known as Pongal. Assamese celebrate it in the name of Bihu. In Hindu temples bells, drums, clarinets and conch shells herald the joyous occasion of Pongal. To symbolize a bountiful harvest, rice is cooked in new pots until they boil over. Some of the rituals performed in the temple include the preparation of rice, the chanting of prayers and the offering of vegetables, sugar cane and spices to the gods. Devotees then consume the offerings to exonerate themselves of past sins.

Though global recession has hit all over, the spirit of festival has not been dampened. Let us hope for the betterment in all the fields. Happy Pongal.

OneIndia News