Sankranthi is celebrated when sun moves into Makara Rasi (Capricon). Sankranthi is a sanskrit word and is said to be celebrated since 6000 years. Sankranthi a popular festival in India specially in South India is a four-day event. A festival mainly for farmers who harvest their crop and enjoy their produce. In Andhra Pradesh the first day of the festival is called Bhogi, the second day as Sankranthi and the third day as Kanuma and fourthday as Mukkanuma. At least a month prior to this festival, women start decorating their neatly swept front porches, which are sprinkled with water mixed in cow dung, considered to be a disinfectant in medical terms, with beautiful floral designs called 'muggulu'(rangoli). They draw artistic intricate patterns with muggu (chalk or rice flour) and compete with each other in creating the prettiest and most complicated designs you can ever hope to see. These patterns are decorated with colors and adorned with different flowers placed on fresh cowdung balls called gobbillu. It is a tradition for young girls to go round them singing songs called gobbi patalu. The houses are cleaned and decorated with mango and banana leaves.
The first day is Bhogi. Everyone wakes up as early in the morning and light up a bonfire called 'bhogimanta'. In this fire, wood logs or useless wood, old broomsticks, etc., lying in the house and the dried cow dung balls made for the event, are burnt as a symbolism of the destruction of the evil. This fire also symbolises the departure of poverty and the welcoming of Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, because, during this time the farmers sell their produce and get money. After the bonfire, the elders and the youngsters take oil bath and wear new clothes.
The second day which is called 'Sankranthi' or 'Pongal' is the main day of the four-day celebration. On this day many delicacies are prepared in the household, the most important being pongali, a sweet made with rice and lentils. Pooja is performed to the cattle, especially the Cow. Prayers are offered to Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth) and pongali is offered as a prasadam. On this day food and new clothes are offered to the departed souls as a mark of respect. Other traditional dishes cooked during this day are pulihara (tamarind rice), boorelu, parvaannam (a sweet made with rice and milk), garelu etc.
The most important and entertaining sights during Sankranthi are Gangireddu, Haridaasu and Buda-Budakkulavadu, Jangamdevara, Puliveshaalu (people dress like a tiger and perform the acts of hunting, fighting etc). Gangireddulu (beautifully decorated oxen) are taken from house to house and are made to nod their heads, as an enactment of offering a blessing. The owner of the oxen also blesses the people and performs small tricks in return for gifts of grain and clothes. Haridaasu is a
traditional singer who sings bhajans on God, praying for the welfare of the people. He goes around the streets, very early in the morning, waking people up, to start the day by chanting the name of God. Everybody treats him as a holy person. Everyone offers grain, money or vegetables etc., in return for his blessings. Buda-budakkulavadu plays an instrument which makes the sound 'buda-budakk', and thus the name. He is also respected very much and is given grain and money. Similar is the case with 'Jangamdevara'. All these people pray for the wealth and welfare of the people.
One more important aspect of Sankranti is 'bommala koluvu', which is the display of various dolls and toys. Koluvu means Durbar. Like the kings' durbar, a variety of dolls are arranged beautifully in a selected place of the house and displayed to all the guests who come to see it. Some examples of the display are Lord Krishna dancing with Gopikas, a village scene, dancing girl, cattle boy with cattle and so on. This is a ladies function. In the evening all the neighborhood ladies are invited to the koluvu to spend time together. This is called 'Perantam'. Young girls apply turmeric paste to the feet of women and offer them 'vayanam', which consists of beetle leaves, nut-powder and soaked chana (sanagalu). The newly wedded couple of the house, ie. the new son-in-laws' and daughters receive great respect and courtesy and are presented with new clothes and gifts by the parents-in-law.
The first day is Bhogi. Everyone wakes up as early in the morning and light up a bonfire called 'bhogimanta'. In this fire, wood logs or useless wood, old broomsticks, etc., lying in the house and the dried cow dung balls made for the event, are burnt as a symbolism of the destruction of the evil. This fire also symbolises the departure of poverty and the welcoming of Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, because, during this time the farmers sell their produce and get money. After the bonfire, the elders and the youngsters take oil bath and wear new clothes.
The second day which is called 'Sankranthi' or 'Pongal' is the main day of the four-day celebration. On this day many delicacies are prepared in the household, the most important being pongali, a sweet made with rice and lentils. Pooja is performed to the cattle, especially the Cow. Prayers are offered to Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth) and pongali is offered as a prasadam. On this day food and new clothes are offered to the departed souls as a mark of respect. Other traditional dishes cooked during this day are pulihara (tamarind rice), boorelu, parvaannam (a sweet made with rice and milk), garelu etc.
The most important and entertaining sights during Sankranthi are Gangireddu, Haridaasu and Buda-Budakkulavadu, Jangamdevara, Puliveshaalu (people dress like a tiger and perform the acts of hunting, fighting etc). Gangireddulu (beautifully decorated oxen) are taken from house to house and are made to nod their heads, as an enactment of offering a blessing. The owner of the oxen also blesses the people and performs small tricks in return for gifts of grain and clothes. Haridaasu is a
traditional singer who sings bhajans on God, praying for the welfare of the people. He goes around the streets, very early in the morning, waking people up, to start the day by chanting the name of God. Everybody treats him as a holy person. Everyone offers grain, money or vegetables etc., in return for his blessings. Buda-budakkulavadu plays an instrument which makes the sound 'buda-budakk', and thus the name. He is also respected very much and is given grain and money. Similar is the case with 'Jangamdevara'. All these people pray for the wealth and welfare of the people.
One more important aspect of Sankranti is 'bommala koluvu', which is the display of various dolls and toys. Koluvu means Durbar. Like the kings' durbar, a variety of dolls are arranged beautifully in a selected place of the house and displayed to all the guests who come to see it. Some examples of the display are Lord Krishna dancing with Gopikas, a village scene, dancing girl, cattle boy with cattle and so on. This is a ladies function. In the evening all the neighborhood ladies are invited to the koluvu to spend time together. This is called 'Perantam'. Young girls apply turmeric paste to the feet of women and offer them 'vayanam', which consists of beetle leaves, nut-powder and soaked chana (sanagalu). The newly wedded couple of the house, ie. the new son-in-laws' and daughters receive great respect and courtesy and are presented with new clothes and gifts by the parents-in-law.
Kanumu and Mukkanuma are primarily a festival for farmers. On this day, the farmers decorate their cattle and treat them with deep respect as a show of their appreciation in helping them harvest the crop. People pray to the Sun God and the cows during this festival. Alms are given to poor people. It is an occasion for family gatherings and happy times. Mukkanuma is popular among the non-vegetarians of the society. People in Coastal Andhra do not eat any meat or fish during the first three days of the festival, and do so only on the day of Mukkanuma. And different regions celebrate slightly in different ways as per their traditions.
Sankranthi is one of the most colorful and popular festivals celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm, zest, galore and fun with family and friends, all over India. Most places where this festival is celebrated is along with all their family members, friends. Newly wed couple are invited by inlaws and hence this festival is also called kotha allula pandaga.
No comments:
Post a Comment