SPECIAL

Fly High This SANKRANTHI

Sankranthi is one of the main festivals in India. It is the first festival of the year in the Gregorian calendar. This festival is celebrated by people all over India. It marks the transition of the sun into Makara rashi (Capricorn) on its path across the sky. Makar Sankranti is celebrated with social festivities such as colourful decorations, melas (fairs), bonfires and feasts. Makar Sankranti is an important pan-Indian solar festival, known by different names, though observed on the same date. It is known as Pedda Panduga in Andhra Pradesh, Makara Sankranti in Karnataka, and other names.

This festival marks the end of the long, cold, winter months and the onset of spring. In ancient times, it was the time when the shift of the sun resulted in longer days. So, it is a celebration of the change of seasons - from a harsher to a milder climate. A sign of hope and positivity. As it is the harvest festival, it is a time of joy, abundance, and celebration in the farming communities, the time when they reap the fruits of their hard labour. It is also a time for peace when families bury the hatchet and get together.

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CELEBRATIONS IN ANDHRA AND TELANGANA

People wear new clothes, thank the Sun God for the year’s harvest, and prepare elaborate feasts on this occasion. Elaborate rangoli or muggu or decorative designs are drawn in front of houses with chalk or flour. These are further decorated with flowers and cow dung (particularly in villages). Cockfights and bullfights were common sports of this season though they have now been banned.

Day 1: Bhogi Panduga

On this day, people burn old and unrequired articles in a bonfire that they light with old wood and furniture. The idea is to start afresh, ushering in the new.

Day 2: Pedda Panduga This is the main festival day. People arrange feasts for guests and pay respects to ancestors. Day 3: Kanuma Panduga On this day, farmers honour and worship cattle, especially the cow. Girls of the community lovingly decorate and feed them.

Day 4: Mukkanuma

On this day, farmers pay tribute to the natural elements like fire, earth, and rain that enabled the harvest. In some communities, people break their fast and eat meat. People also fly kites together.

A unique feature of Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is that haridasus (devotees of Hari or Lord Vishnu) go from house to house singing songs of the Lord.

Makar Sankranti food items: Various savouries such as poornalu (a sweet made of rice flour covering stuffed with dal and jaggery paste), chakkara Pongal (Sweet Pongal), rice kheer (pudding) and appalu (a sweet made of jaggery and rice flour) are prepared on this special day.

Significance of RANGOLI

Rangavalli Muggu or Rangoli as it is popularly known in the country is an important aspect of the Sankranti festival. As a matter of fact, Sankranti is incomplete without the colourful and geometrical piece of art which adds to the festive flair especially in the two Telugu states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The beautiful yet simple geometric designs come in different styles and designs. Muggulu/Rangolis are thought to bring prosperity to homes. It is a sign of invitation to welcome people, including Lakshmi, the Goddess of prosperity and wealth into our homes.

There is a fine connection between the dots put in the Muggu and the stars in the sky. The dots which are called Chukkalu in Telugu mean stars. The intricate joining of patterns is significant to the stars in the sky and the patterns in it are taken as designs for muggus.

The colours used in these rich geometric/ floral designs for Sankranti also have a special significance. White signifies coolness and purity, red signifies strength, yellow signifies richness, green signifies harmony, orange signifies sacrifice and blue signifies happiness.

Significance of BHOGI

Bhogi is the day dedicated to Lord Indra—the deity of rain and clouds. Farmers worship Indra to seek his blessings for a good harvest that would bring wealth and prosperity to them. Hence this day is also known as Indran.

People discard all old things at home on this day marking the beginning of a new era. Houses are cleaned and white-washed on this day and are decorated with marigold flowers, mango leaves and new things. Floral designs called 'kolam' with freshly harvested rice flour paste and red markings are made by women of the house as per traditions. Pumpkin flowers are added to these designs as well. Fresh cow dung cakes called 'gobbemma' are placed within these designs and earthen lamps are lit over them. Food is cooked with freshly harvested rice, sugarcane and turmeric on this day. Farmers worship their ploughs and other types of equipment on this day. The instruments are smeared with kumkum and sandalwood paste and offerings are made to the Sun God and Mother Earth before the first paddy is cut on this day. Bhogi Mantalu is a ritual that is practised in some areas. Here a bonfire is lit with cow dung cake and wood and all old items and clothes are sacrificed in this fire. All agricultural and household waste like old mats and broomsticks are thrown into the fire. Women of the family chant mantra and sing songs of praise of the Gods while taking rounds around the holy fire. Women wear new clothes and ornaments after taking a holy dip on this day.

The Muppirisetti family

Sankranthi is the most awaited festival of the year in our family, continuous celebration of 3 days makes it more prominent gathering with our relatives and cousins which is fun-filled from the starting day with bonfire foĺlowed by making colourful rangolis at our front yard, on this day we are served with many delicacies, the central dish being Pongal is what we crave for the whole year makes it tastier, another fun ritual is flying kites, which we Hyderabadis die for. As everyone's terrace turns into dance and Dj floor, sky colourfully flashing with different kinds and fun shaped kites, we enjoy the rest of the day flying kites grooving over music with delicious food with a whole lot of fun.

The Kanumuri Family

Bitter memories and rustic things all bid a farewell with the celebration of bhogi. This is one of the significant ways to give life a second chance and forget all mishaps and move ahead. With the celebration of Sankranthi, we welcome our harvest and radiate positive energies in and around our house. With traditional ways and rituals, our family celebrates Sankranti in the best ways possible. Our family comes together irrespective of where they stay and we all celebrate this festival in our native place. Our hearts are filled with joy and our house is beautifully decorated with flowers and rangoli. This festival is not just a celebration of the harvest, it’s a celebration of togetherness, our family and our traditions.

Sankranthi is one of our important festivals. The best part about the festival for us is that our entire family comes together to celebrate the entire week-long festivities. We have kite flying competitions and delicious food items prepared. It is significantly important to us as there are traditions passed down from the ancestors that remind us of our heredity and heritage.

Being a traditionally aquatints family, festivals are pride for us. We make sure to celebrate any festival to the best of our ability. Sankranthi is a festival of fun and delight for us. We have days of events and activities planned for our entire family. The three days of festivities and cherishes for the entire year. We believe in togetherness and Sankranthi is a major festival that upholds our belief in togetherness.

The Gaddamanugu Family