In the mood of festival: Happy Sankranti

The weather is intensively cold, the sky is dim, and the fog has covered a large part of the city. But unlike weather, the zeal in people is high. And why should not it be, today is Makar Sankranti after all. In Bihar, the type of Tilkut you get here and of varied types, I guarantee one can’t have them elsewhere in India. Gud (Jaggery) and Til, which form the major ingredients for most of the dishes made in this festivity, have started to water my mouth with its aroma. But before I can relish upon the dishes, we will do the Puja at our home. My mom knows the rituals better, while I just know that the day will be awesome for the foodie me. :D

While I am typing this, I recall two seasons of Sankranti I enjoyed staying in Gujarat. Two years back, I posted about my experience here on my blog too.
I agree on this that the energy level and the scale for preparation in Gujarat is more avid than in Bihar. The kite fight, and kids running after the falling swaying kites till the end of the streets were worth watching. I was amazed to see that many road side stalls selling goggles and hats specifically for kites flyers. People would wear them while they are at terrace for the kite fight. And a toy organ pipe, which they would blow loudly to make fun of and embarrass the losers. With the whole ambience on this festival it feels like ‘yes its good to be in India’.

This festival may have different names, but the extent of happiness in each is unfathomable. I wish all my friends, and readers at my blog a very Happy Makar Sankranti. :)

Shubho Sankranti

“Oh! Crayons work it seems, green white yellow and red; swaying, flying and quarrelling on the blue bed...Kites they are; happiness bizarre….”

Few days back, while strolling on the terrace I watched closely our neighbor kids playing around with their kites. With colorful designs, imprints new and their long jazzy tail, and tied with sharp manja everybody was keen towards the sky. Watching their colorful fight up above in the sky, I wrote a few lines and updated on Facebook; a part of which I mentioned above in quotes. I wish if I could also fly kites. I never learned how to, excuses for it are lame and I won’t mention them here. But by just watching them I feel it must be enjoyable to hold yourself a little high, and control your grooves with competent skills you apply.

Makar Sankranti is near. Not near, it is just here in fact. On 14th of January, we will be celebrating this festival. Another important festival of India, another credit worthy that makes India a colorful country. Color signifies variations of shades, a visual attribute of things from the light they emit. :) And this holds so true for India.
Makar Sankranti is celebrated for various reasons, in innumerable ways depending upon the location, cultural background and climatic conditions within India. It is observed as a harvest festival. Offerings and prayers to the Lord for the better harvest of crops is observed. Apart from this, Makar Sankranti also stands for movement of the Sun from Tropic of Capricorn to Tropic Cancer. In fact the term Sankranti stands for this very transmigration of the Sun. According to the Hindu mythology, period after mid-December is said to be inauspicious. No sacred rituals or holy practices are recommended during this period. Makar Sankranti brings end to this inauspicious phase and fetches good fortunes. :)
Happiness to have entered into the auspicious season calls for celebration. And to celebrate, the way shall be yours, this is what I recommend. :D However the customary forms of celebration include flying kites, preparation of sweets and several dishes. Sweets made from ‘Til’ and jaggery are known for this festival. And do you know the importance of Til? January is too cold and eating Til will keep you warm. :) 

We have given various names to Makar Sankranti, Lohri, Maghi, Bihu, Pongal. Though each part of India has a different name for it, a different taste to add, a different cultural background at play, but you know the fervor of felicity and happiness is everywhere sound and profound. And happiness gets more with sharing. And I share with you here. Happy Makar Sankranti to all of you. :)

Our family has something more to celebrate. Tomorrow, that is on 13th of January it’s my Papa’s birthday. So there is an added bonus for us. And while I was typing this I was wondering what shall I be gifting my papa on his birthday? It is very much difficult to decide. I don’t earn. And to buy him something from the money that’s his, I am doing no good. :(
Lots of love, and to be a good son is what I can afford with the best right now. 
I wish if a better term I could use for the word gift, if something special I could add to this;
That better I want to buy, wrapped with smiles hundred, a bundle to unpack the bliss. :) 

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