Festivals

MAKAR SANKRANTI

Celebration of Makar Sankranti is a universal phenomenon based on astronomy and crop cycle. The Sun moves over a fixed path in a year. The path is divided into zodiacs (rashis). In Sanskrit, “Sankranti” means entry of the Sun into a zodiac phase.  In and out movement of the Sun from one zodiac phase to another is called as Sankranti.

From early January, Sun moves into Capricorn (Makar rashi) that marks the onset of an upward journey towards north which is commonly known as “Uttarayana”. In Sanskrit, “uttara” means northward and “aayana” means movement. Transmigration of Sun into Makara (Sankranti of Makara) is a phase revival of sunlight due to northward movement of Sun. The Makara phase holds great significance in astronomy as it represents revival of sunlight (solar energy and positivity) in human lives.

We celebrate January 14 as the day on which the sun begins to rise in the Makara Rashi. It coincides with the celebration of crop harvest season in different parts of our country with varied traditional significance. On this auspicious day, kite flying gives exposure to sunlight that disinfects human body.

It is celebrated as Lohri in Punjab: Uttarayan in Gujarat: Makara Sankranti in Maharashtra; Pongal in Tamil Nadu; Til Sankrant in Bihar; Bihu in Assam.

BASANT PANCHAMI

(Shree Panchami) – marks the onset of the spring season and the end of the winter season. “Basant” means spring and “Panchami” means the fifth day. Thus, it is celebrated on the fifth day (panchami tithi) of Magha month during the time between sunrise and midday (known as Purvahna Kala) in Shukla Paksha. It marks the celebration of the birth of the Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of wisdom, knowledge, music, learning and arts. It is believed that the blessings of Goddess Saraswati enlighten humankind through knowledge to remove ignorance. On this auspicious day, the ritual of initiating education in children, known as Akshar-Abhyasam or Vidya-Arambham is performed to seek blessings of the Goddess.

It is also observed as a harvest festival marked by blossoming of mustard flowers. Colour yellow signifies brilliance of nature and vibrant life. Goddess idol is dressed in yellow saree. People wear yellow coloured clothes and eat yellow colour food.

MAHASHIVRATRI

It is the great night of Shiva that falls on the 14^th night of the new moon, during the dark half of the lunar month of Phalguna. It is the darkest night that marks the point of the highest spiritual significance with an upsurge of spiritual energy.

For a spiritual seeker, it is a night to experience reality in terms of flow of energy and to realize nothingness in one’s existence. The nightlong festival urges to remain awake by chanting prayers mantras), observing fast or meditation to feel spirituality. It is also observed as the marriage anniversary of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati.

HOLI

Holi is the spring festival of colours. It is a two days celebration that starts on full moon day (Purnima) in the month of Falgun. On the first day of Holika Dahan or Chhoti Holi, a common community bonfire is lit as a mark of significance of the triumph of good over evil. A legend signifies it as a mark of conquest of lust and desires by Lord Shiva. Another legend of Hiranyakashyap and Prahlad points towards extreme devotion and faith in God.

Second day is observed as Rangwali Holi or Dhulandi. In Braj, it is celebrated as a festival of divine love of Radhe-Krishna. The spring air spreads happiness, oneness and feeling of pure bliss and harmony among people. It is perfect time to thank God for a good harvest.

It is believed that during churning of the sea (Samudra manthan) by Gods (Devatas) and demons (Danavs) the poison was consumed by Lord Shiva to save them from destruction. In this holy month of fasting, every Monday (Shravan Somvaar) devotees offer prayers by offering Bilva leaves (bel patra), milk and water to the Shiva Lingam. During this month, newly married girls perform Mangala Gauri Vrata on Tuesdays (Shravan Mangalvar); Varalakshmi Vratam is observed by married ladies on every Friday (Shravan Shukrawar) and Lord Vishnu (Balaji) is worshipped by devotees on Saturdays (Shravana Shaniwar). Offering panchamrit, rudraksha for jaap, vibhuti, chanting mahamritunjaya mantra and observing fast is the most significant during this month.

Lord Ganesha is welcomed at homes by placing idols of Ganesha (pran pratishtha) to invoke life in the idols, followed by sixteen ways of paying tribute (shhodashopachara). Final ritual marks his homeward journey to Mount Kailash, the heavenly abode of his parents, Shiv-Parvati. The festival marks the flow of positivity in home, family and individual life.

PITRA SHRAD/PITRA PAKSHA

Pitra shrad/Pitra paksha is the time to pay homage to the ancestors (Pitrs) during a sixteen lunar day period in Hindu calendar. It commences from the second fortnight (paksha) of September (the lunar month of Bhadrapada). First day of the fortnight is Pratipada which ends on no moon day known as Mahalaya. Though considered inauspicious due to performance of death rituals yet people offer heartfelt respect to the deceased by offering food to the Brahmins. Scientifically, it is the time of autumn equinox when the Sun transits from northern to southern hemisphere.

Sharad Navratri (Maha Navratri) marks the onset of autumn (Ashwin masa). It is believed that Lord Ram wanted to get the blessings of Goddess Durga before beginning the war with Ravana, therefore he invoked Goddess Durga during Ashwin masa. Thus, Durga Puja during October is also known as Akal Bodhon or untimely invocation. Killing of demon Mahishasura by Goddess Durga is followed by celebration of Vijayadashami. Nine days of fasting is a natural detox process to clean the body, mind and spirit. Special fire rituals (anusthan) and prayers (puja-path) are performed during this time.

Longevity and wellbeing of their husbands. It is the celebration of strengthening the bond between married couple. Married women offer Aragya to the moon using an earthen pot (Karva) on the fourth (Chauth) day of Kartik month. It also marks the celebration of the harvest time where people pray and wish for a healthy harvest.

DEEPAWALI

Diwali is the festival of lights. “Deep” means light and “avali” means a row which makes it “a row of lights” to celebrate the return of Lord Ram from fourteen years of exile. It is a four day long festival of lights that not only illuminates the place but also cleans, purifies and brightens the inner self.

Each day of Deepawali has its own significance and practice. Naraka Chaturdasi marks the initiation of the festival by conquering of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and Satyabhama, his wife. Amavasya, the second day of Deepawali, marks the worship of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. Kartika Shudda Padyami, the third day signifies King Bali stepping out of hell to rule the world. Finally, Bhai Dooj is celebrated on fourth day when sisters invite their brothers to their homes to strengthen their sibling bond.

Deepawali is an auspicious occasion to illuminate and revive our inner strength and spiritual energy.

ADHIK MAAS (Purushotam Maas)

Adhik maas is the extra month. It is the thirteenth month of the lunar calendar. It takes the name of the month that follows. It is observed as special holy month for performing rituals – fasting, recitation of religious scriptures, chanting mantras, prayers, havan, anusthan, yagya and daan. It is believed that if we perform good deeds (sat karma) and conquer our senses (indriyas) during this month then we can purify our soul and feel positivity.

Scientifically, to compensate the variation between lunar and solar year, on an average, an additional month is added after every 32.5 months.