!! Cut Stress In A Relationship !!

!! Cut Stress In A Relationship !! 10 Ways to cut stress in a relationship A Good communication and self management can remove the stress occurring in your married life.  1. Prevention: If the stress comes from some factor outside your family, don't bring it home and unintentionally make your spouse share it. 2. Self understanding: In moments of stress, you need to learn to control yourself. Evaluate your feelings and do not treat your spouse shabbily. 3. Leave others alone: Staying away for a while from your spouse could be an effective way to prevent conflict from springing up. Make your spouse understand why you are maintaining a distance. 4. Responsibility: Be conscious of your obligation to keep your relation in harmony. Don't let any stress damage the marital bond that has flourished so far. 5. Stop worrying: Worries come when you anticipate something in the future while doing nothing about it. But have a plan B, it makes you ready and you find nothing to worry about. 6. Do not stay still: When you are under pressure, the easiest thing to do is give up. But if you give up during hard times, it will haunt you for the rest of your life 7. Self control: You should be able to take control of your emotions and once you do that you will automatically be able to control stress. 8. Be flexible: You should be able to identify a situation and where it will lead to. When you know things will not go your way, try and be flexible. 9. Go away: When you feel your relation is a little tense, it is best to take your mind off everything and do some activity that keeps you occupied. 10. Ask others: Asking and consulting people once in a while for advice is not a bad option at all. Ask them how it was like when under stress and how was their feeling at that moment. That way you will know that they reacted and what they did.

      

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January 11, 2014- Vaikuntha / Mukkoti Ekadasi

ॐ _/\_ Om Namo Venkatesaya _/\_ ॐ ‎ॐ _/\_ Om Namo Venkatesaya _/\_ ॐ ॐ OM Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya ॐ ॐ January 11, 2014- - Vaikuntha / Mukkoti Ekadasi ॐ January 11, 2014- - The Most auspicious Day for every Vaishnava and Every devotee of the Lord - Vaikuntha Ekadasi/ Mukkoti Ekadasi The day Lord Vishnu gives darshan to all 3 crore Gods directly through the doors of Vaikuntham. The North (Uttara) door of every Vaishnava Temple known as Vaikuntha Dwaram will be opened on this day and Taking darshan of Lord on this day through Vaikuntha Dwaram is believed to be equivalent to Having Direct darshan of Lord through doors of vakuntham. January 11, 2014- VAIKUNTA EKADASI Vaikunta Ekadasi is an important festival dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the Tamil monthToday is Vaikunta Ekadasi.Vishnu is the central and major deity of the trinity Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), Shiva (destroyer). Vishnu is the preserver or sustainer and for all practical purposes he is deemed to be omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. The name Vishnu means the pervader. He is the inner center, the nucleus, the cohesive point through which everything exists. According to scriptures, he is known by innumerable names and the verses are famous as Vishnu Sahasranama. The two most common representations of Vishnu show himeither sleeping over the waves of the ocean on the coils of the serpent-deity or Standing on waves with four hands each hand holding one of his four chief attributes. His lower right hand represents the revolving or creative tendency. This hand holds conch, symbol of the five elements (panchajanyam). When blown, it produces a sound that is associated with the primeval sound from which creation developed. His upper right hand represents the cohesive tendency. This holds the discus (sudarshana chakra) or the wheel. This has six spokes and symbolizes six-petalled lotus. It represents the limitless controlling of all the six seasons and is the fearful weapon that severes the head if demons. The upper left hand represents the tendency towards dispersion and liberation. This holds the lotus, symbol of the causal power of illusion from which the universe rises.This lotus is called Padma. It is the symbol of purity and represents the unfolding of creation.It is the truth from which emerged the rules of conduct and knowledge. The lower left hand holds Gada ( Mace), the symbol of primeval knowledge . It represents the notion of individual existence. This is named Kaumodaki and is the elemental force from which all physical and mental powers are derived. Vishnus preserving, restoring and protecting powers have been manifest on earth in a variety of forms called Avatars or incarnations which are ten in number. In all pictures Vishnu is shown blue-skinned and seen in rich ornaments and regal garments. His consort Lakshmi ( Sri) is the goddess of wealth and fortune. His place of abode is known as Vaikunta and his vehicle is Garuda, a giant-sized eagle, which is often shown as a winged, human-shaped figure having a beak-like nose. He is the infinite ocean from which the world emerges. Hence his symbol is water (Nara) and he himself is called Narayana- the one who dwells upon the waters. Thus, Lord Vishnu has First His formless aspect as the supreme His cosmic form as the Creator and Sustainer of the world His third aspect is as a particular incarnation and, fourthly, His form, as chosen by the devotee for worship.   UTTHARA DWARA DARSHAN/SWARGA VADHAL DARSHAN   Ekadasi means 'the eleventh' in Sanskrit and refers to the eleventh day of a fortnight belonging to a lunar month.The Padma Purana says: "ekadasi vrata samam vrata nasti jagattrayeanicchaya'pi yat krtva gatir evam vidha'vayoh ekadasi vratam ye tu bhakti bhavena kurvate na jane kim bhavet tesam vasudeva anukampaya", Which translates as: In the three worlds, there is no kind of fasting which is even comparable to the Ekadasi fast. Even if one performs this fast without a proper attitude, he achieves the Supreme Abode. If one fasts on Ekadasi day, with full devotion, what happens to him by the mercy of the Supreme Lord, I cannot say (the merit he achieves cannot be described). In Brahma-vaivarta Purana it is said that one who observes fasting on Ekadasi is freed from all kinds of reactions to sinful activities and advances in spiritual life. The basic principle is not just to fast, but to increase one's faith and love for Govinda,Krishna. The real reason of observing fast is to minimize the demands of the body and to engage our time in the service of the Lord by chanting His holy name etc. The best thing to do on Ekadasis is to remember the pastimes of the Lord and hear His holy name constantly. The Brahma Vaivarta Purana states, "In this world there are only two concreteproceduresfor attaining liberation and atoning for one's sins. These two things are-- fasting on the Ekadasi days and chanting of the names of Supreme Lord Sri Hari." VAIKUNTA DWARA...(The door through the inner  most sanctum sanctorum). Significance of Vaikunta Ekadasi: Of all Ekadasis , The one connected with Dhanur Maasa Sukla Paksha Ekadasi is the most exalted and is known as Sri Vaikunta Ekadasi .There are number of reasons Assoicated with the special significance of this Ekadasi: According to Padma Purana, the female energy of Lord Vishnu killed demon Muran in the form of a damsel named Ekadashi to protect Devas. This occurred during the month of Marghazhi (Margashira or Margashirsha) (mid December mid January). Hence anyone who worships Lord Vishnu on this Ekadasi day would reach Vaikunth. Hindu Puranas say that it was on this day that the churning of the ocean occurred and the Amrit (nectar of immortality) emerged out of the ocean and Bhagavan Dhanvanthri appeared thereafter with the Amrutha Kalasam (Nectar Pot) and Was distributed to the Gods. Hindus believe that those who die on this day are freed from the cycle of birth and death and that they would directly reach Vaikunta. The most exalted of auspiciousness that happened on this day is the appearance of Maha Lakshmi.She appeared with the golden color. Another importance of Vaikunta Ekadasi is that the Bhagavad Gita Upadesh of Lord Krishna to Arjuna during Kurukshetra War is said to have done on this day. This day is also observed as The Bhagavad Gita Jayanthi. The Bhagavad Gita (in Sanskrit, "Song of the Lord") is the most famous poem in all of Hindu literature and part of the Mahabharata, the Indian epic masterpeice. The Gita consists of a dialogue between Lord Krishna and Prince Arjuna on the morning of a climactic battle. The main teachings of Bhagavad Gita are it teaches us the theory and values of path towards God. The Bhagavadgita teaches how to escape from this predicament, not by escaping from the burdens of the worldly life, or avoidance of responsibilities. In his Gitopadesam to Arjuna, Sri Krishna describes the threefold path of austerity and says "deva -dvija-guru-praajna-pujanam-shauchanam-arvajanam- brahmacharyam-ahimsaa-cha-shariram-tapuchyate", Which means one must worship the Supreme Lord, the Brahmans, the spiritual master, and superiors like the father and mother. Cleanliness, simplicity, celibacy and nonviolence are also austerities of the body (Bhagvada Geeta 17.14). Truthful speech, which is not offensive to others and the regular recitation of scriptures, is austerity of speech (Bhagvada Geeta 17.15). Serenity of thought, compassion, gravity, self-control, purity of purpose, are all austerity of the mind (Bhagvada Geeta 17.16). This threefold path of austerity, practiced by men whose aim is not to benefit materially but to please the supreme, leads to a nature of goodness. Sri Krishna finally says that penances and austerities which are performed foolishly, by means of obstinate self-torture, or by destroying or injuring others, are the approach of the ignorant. It is also recommended that one must not perform austerities beyond his capabilities, lest the austerities become mechanical or offensive. How to follow the vratham: Fast has to begin on the previous day - Dasami-restrict yourself to one meal and milk fruits at night. On Ekadasi, wake up early and after bath, and daily pujas etc, visit the temple to see Swarga Vathal. Avoid rice urad dhal that day in the lunch (if at all you cannot manage without eating anything, have milk, fruits, coconut water etc.   On this auspicious day let us pray Vishnur He who pervades every thing , for whom the sacrificial versus are uttered in the yagyas, the one who is the master and beyondthe past, present and the future.The creator and destroyer of all existences in the universe.One who supports or sustains or governs the universe.Pure existence.The essence of all beings.He who originates and develops all Elements. Yatra Yogeshwarah Krishno, Yatra Partho Dhanurdhara: Tatra Shreer Vijayo Bhooti:, Dhruvaa Neetir Matir Mama. " Where there is Yogeshwar Krishna and Dhanurdhar Arjuna, there exists prosperity, success and justice. Kayena-Vaacha Mana-Sendhriyerva, Buddhyatma-Naavaa Prakrute-Swabhawat, Karomi Yadyat Sakalam Parasmai, Naaraa-Yanayeti Samarpayami, Ohm Tat Sat I offer all that I do, To Lord Narayana, Whatever I do with my body, Whatever I do with my mind, Whatever I do with my brain, Whatever I do with my soul, And whatever I do with natures help! Om that is the truth. Omthatsath! Sarvam shree-krishnar-panamastu. ॐ _/\_ Om Namo Venkatesaya _/\_ ॐ ‎ॐ _/\_ Om Namo Venkatesaya _/\_ ॐ ॐ OM Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya ॐ ॐ January 11, 2014- - Vaikuntha / Mukkoti Ekadasi ॐ COURTESY: FROM VARIOUS SPIRTUAL BOOKS. PHOTOS: FIRST PHOTO FROM WEBSITE AND REST OF THE THREE PHOTOS TAKEN  IN THE YEAR 2011  DURING MY DHANURMASA VRATHAM ON VAIKUNTA EKADASI  AT VENKATESWARA TEMPLE, SRINIVASANAGAR, AKKAYAPALEM, VISAKHAPATNAM-16. YOU MAY VISIT&FWD TO YOUR FRIENDS GO THROUGH THE I LAND POSTS             ramajayam.rediffiland.com ramajayamgomati.blogspot.com Greetings and love: SMILE WITH  RAMNATH

ALWAYS LOVE YOUR MOTHER.

M - O - T - H - E - R

"M" is for the million things she gave me,

"O" means only that she"s growing old,

"T" is for the tears she shed to save me,

"H" is for her heart of purest gold;

"E" is for her eyes, with love-light shining,

"R" means right, and right she"ll alwaysbe,

  Put them all together, they spell

         "MOTHER,"

     
A word that means the world to me

 

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ramajayamgomati.blogspot.comGreetings and love:

SMILE WITH 
RAMNATH

WISH YOU A VERY BEAUTIFUL MORNING AND A FINE DAY...

WISH YOU A VERY BEAUTIFUL 

MORNING AND A FINE DAY...

When I stand before God at the end of my life,

I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left,

and could say, "I used everything you gave me." 

When you arise in the morning,

think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe,

to think, to enjoy, to love.

 

 Life is a book. Everyday has a

new page with adventures to tell things

 to learn and tales to remember.

May you have good chapter

today and everyday.

In this world everyone will fall in love - That's Fact

But we may not express it - That's Truth

and

When we express it we may not receive the same love - That's Life.

 

Wisdom for the soul

1. No one can ruin your day without YOUR permission.
2. Most people will be about as happy, as they decide to be.
3. Others can stop you temporarily, but only you can do it permanently.
4. Whatever you are willing to put up with, is exactly what you will have.

5. Success stops when you do.
6. When your ship comes in. ... make sure you are willing to unload it.
7. You will never "have it all together."
8. Life is a journey... not a destination. Enjoy the trip!
9. The biggest lie on the planet: "When I get what I want I will be happy."
10. The best way to escape your problem is to solve it.

      

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RAMNATH

HAPPY MAKARSANKRATI=Pongal-O-Pongal

Pongal-O-Pongal !

Dear parivar members / friends / well-wishers,

 

Greetings & Namaskarams.

 

Pongal ( Makara Sankaranthi ) Festival is around the corner and it is time to send in our best wishes in advance.

 

Ungal ellorukkum engaluduya ullam kanindha anbududaya

munkoottiya pongal vazhthukkal

 

 

 

 

  

***V*A*N*A*K*A*M***  Pongal Festival  

Pongal is a four day long harvest festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu, a southern state of India. For as long as people have been planting and gathering food, there has been some form of Harvest Festival. Pongal, one of the most important popular Hindu festivals of the year. This four-day festival of thanksgiving to nature takes its name from the Tamil word meaning "to boil" and is held in the month of Thai (January-February) during the season when rice and other cereals, sugar-cane, and turmeric (an essential ingredient in Tamil cooking) are harvested.  Mid-January is an important time in the Tamil calendar. The harvest festival, Pongal, falls typically on the 14th or the 15th of January and is the quintessential `Tamil Festival'. Pongal is a harvest festival, a traditional occasion for giving thanks to nature, for celebrating the life cycles that give us grain. Tamilians say `Thai pirandhaal vazhi pirakkum', and believe that knotty family problems will be solved with the advent of the Tamil month Thai that begins on Pongal day. This is traditionally the month of weddings. This is not a surprise in a largely agricultural community -- the riches gained from a good harvest form the economic basis for expensive family occasions like weddings.  The First Day This first day is celebrated as Bhogi festival in honor of Lord Indra, the supreme ruler of clouds that give rains. Homage is paid to Lord Indra for the abundance of harvest, thereby bringing plenty and prosperity to the land. Another ritual observed on this day is Bhogi Mantalu, when useless household articles are thrown into a fire made of wood and cow-dung cakes. Girls dance around the bonfire, singing songs in praise of the gods, the spring and the harvest. The significance of the bonfire, in which is burnt the agricultural wastes and firewood is to keep warm during the last lap of winter.  The Second Day On the second day of Pongal, the puja or act of ceremonial worship is performed when rice is boiled in milk outdoors in a earthenware pot and is then symbolically offered to the sun-god along with other oblations. All people wear traditional dress and markings, and their is an interesting ritual where husband and wife dispose off elegant ritual utensils specially used for the puja. In the village, the Pongal ceremony is carried out more simply but with the same devotion. In accordance with the appointed ritual a turmeric plant is tied around the pot in which the rice will be boiled. The offerings include the two sticks of sugar-cane in background and coconut and bananas in the dish. A common feature of the puja, in addition to the offerings, is the kolam, the auspicious design which is traditionally traced in white lime powder before the house in the early morning after bathing.  The Third Day The third day is known as Mattu Pongal, the day of Pongal for cows. Multi-colored beads, tinkling bells, sheaves of corn and flower garlands are tied around the neck of the cattle and then are worshiped. They are fed with Pongal and taken to the village centers.. The resounding of their bells attract the villagers as the young men race each other's cattle. The entire atmosphere becomes festive and full of fun and revelry. Arati is performed on them, so as to ward off the evil eye. According to a legend, once Shiva asked his bull, Basava, to go to the earth and ask the mortals to have an oil massage and bath every day and to eat once a month. Inadvertently, Basava announced that everyone should eat daily and have an oil bath once a month. This mistake enraged Shiva who then cursed Basava, banishing him to live on the earth forever. He would have to plough the fields and help people produce more food. Thus the association of this day with cattle.  The Fourth Day The Fourth day is known as Knau or Kannum Pongal day. On this day, a turmeric leaf is washed and is then placed on the ground. On this leaf are placed, the left overs of sweet Pongal and Venn Pongal, ordinary rice as well as rice colored red and yellow, betel leaves, betel nuts, two pieces of sugarcane, turmeric leaves, and plantains. In Tamil Nadu women perform this ritual before bathing in the morning. All the women, young and old, of the house assemble in the courtyard. The rice is placed in the centre of the leaf, while the women ask that the house and family of their brothers should prosper. Arati is performed for the brothers with turmeric water, limestone and rice, and this water is sprinkled on the kolam in front of the house.

 

Traditions & Customs  

Inspite of immense urbanization, the traditions and customs attached to the harvest festival of Pongal has not diminished. Though the nature of these tradition and customs has changed, the glitter of this festival has not dimmed. The fast changing times notwithstanding, certain things do not change. The way we celebrate the festivals, for instance. The festival of Pongal captures the quintessence of south Indian culture in all its entirety and traditional practices and customs continue to hold their own even today. The spirit is alive and Pongal is still treated as a time to discard the old and welcome the new. The new crop that is harvested is cooked and offered to the Almighty. Celebrated for four days, the various traditions and customs of this harvest festival are:  Bhogi Pongal The first day of Pongal known as 'Bhogi Pongal' is a day for family gathering and is dedicated to Lord Indra, the king of the deities and God of the Clouds and Rains. Offerings are made to him to please him so that he blesses us for the plentiful harvest. It is also the beginning of the New Year according to the Malayalam calendar and before sunrise, a huge bonfire of useless things in home is lit that is kept burning throughout the night. All the time, boys beat little buffalo-hide drums known as 'Bhogi Kottus'. The houses are then cleaned till they shine and are decorated with Kolams painted using rice four. There are yellow pumpkin flowers are set in cow-dung balls in the middle of these designs.  Surya Pongal The second day of Pongal known as 'Surya Pongal' is dedicated to the Sun God. The granaries are kept full on this day and Sun God with his rays are painted on a plank as he is worshiped with the birth of the new auspicious month of Thai. Since the word 'Ponga' means 'to boil' representing plentiful and excess yield, a special dish is cooked on this day in a new mud-pot that comes in innovative shapes and have artistic designs on them called 'Pongapani'. The special dish is called 'Sarkkarai Pongal' and is offered to Sun God with sugarcane sticks. It is said that Lord Sundareshwar performed a miracle on this day in the Madurai temple and breathed life into a stone elephant who ate sugarcanes. One can see the depiction of the event in the Meenakshi temple.  Mattu Pongal The third day known as 'Mattu Pongal' is dedicated to the cattle as cowherds and shepherds pay thanks to their cows and bulls, paint their horns and cover them with shining metal caps. They are fed 'Pongal' and tinkling bells are tied around their neck. Cattle races are conducted and in the game called 'Manji Virattu' groups of young men chase running bulls. Bull fights called 'Jallikattu' are also arranged at some places where young men have to take the money bags tied to the horns of ferocious bulls single-handedly and without the use of arms. Lord Ganesha and Goddess Parvati are also worshiped on this day. At some other places, this day is celebrated as Kanu Pongal when girls feed colored balls of cooked rice to the birds and crows and pray for their brothers' happiness and that they always remember them.  Kaanum Pongal The fourth day is termed as Kaanum Pongal. On this day, people travel to see other family members. On this day, the younger members of the family pay homage to the elders, and the elders thank them by giving token money. Another thing many do is leave food out on banana leaves for birds to take. Many South Indian people will take the first bit of rice cooked in any given day and set it outside for the crows to take, so this is not necessarily a habit only for Pongal.

 

What is Pongal?  

Pongal is the only festival of Hindu that follows a solar calendar and is celebrated on the fourteenth of January every year. Pongal has astronomical significance: it marks the beginning of Uttarayana , the Sun's movement northward for a six month period. In Hinduism, Uttarayana is considered auspicious, as opposed to Dakshinaayana, or the southern movement of the sun. All important events are scheduled during this period. Makara Sankranthi  refers to the event of the Sun entering the zodiac sign of Makara or Capricorn.

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.

Pongal signals the end of the traditional farming season, giving farmers a break from their monotonous routine. Farmers also perform puja to some crops, signaling the end of the traditional farming season. It also sets the pace for a series of festivals to follow in a calendar year. In fact, four festivals are celebrated in Tamil Nadu for four consecutive days in that week. 'Bogi'  is celebrated on January 13, 'Pongal'  on Jan 14,'Maattuppongal' on Jan 15, and 'Thiruvalluvar Day'  on Jan 16.

The festival is celebrated for four days. On, the first day, Bhogi, the old clothes and materials are thrown away and fired, marking the beginning of a new life. The second day, the Pongal day, is celebrated by boiling fresh milk early in the morning and allowing it to boil over the vessel - a tradition that is the literal translation for Pongal. People also prepare savories and sweets, visit each other's homes, and exchange greetings. The third day, Mattu Pongal, is meant to offer thanks to the cows and buffaloes, as they are used to plough the lands. On the last day, Kanum Pongal, people go out to picnic.

A festival called Jalli katthu  is held in Madurai , Tiruchirapalli and Tanjavur,all in Tamil Nadu, on this day. Bundles of money are tied to the horns of Pongal ferocious bulls which the villagers try to retrieve. Everyone joins in the community meal, at which the food is made of the freshly harvested grain. This day is named and celebrated as Tamiliar Thirunal  in a fitting manner through out Tamil Nadu.

Thus, the harvest festival of Pongal symbolizes the veneration of the first fruit. The crop is harvested only after a certain time of the year, and cutting the crop before that time is strictly prohibited. Even though Pongal was originally a festival for the farming community, today it is celebrated by all. In south India, all three days of Pongal are considered important. However, those south Indians who have settled in the north usually celebrate only the second day. Coinciding with Makara Sankranti and Lohri  of the north, it is also called Pongal Sankranti.  
Meaning & Significance  
Thai Pongal is an occasion for family re-unions and get-together. Old enmities, personal animosities and rivalries are forgotten. Estrangements are healed and reconciliation effected.

Indeed, Thai Pongal is a festival of freedom, peace, unity and compassion crystallized in the last hymn on unity in the Indian spiritual text the Rig Veda. Thus, love and peace are the central theme of Thai Pongal.

 
                                     

 

MAY THIS PONGAL BRING  SUCCESS,PROSPERITY AND    HAPPINESS IN OUR LIFE 

Wishing you more Prosperity, Happiness ,
 Sound Health and Peace of Mind on this Auspicious Pongal ( Makara Sankaranthi ) Day.

HAPPY MAKARSANKRATI

!*!~* Makar Sankranti In Various Parts Of India*~!*!

The great diversity of Indian religious beliefs is projected throughthe various festivals that are celebrated in our country. They arise from the innate desire of man to seek diversion from humdrum activities and they help in symbolising, reflecting and enriching social life in a specific cultural setting.

The festival of Makar Sankrant traditionally coincides with the beginning of the Sun"s northward journey (theUTTARAYAN) when it enters the sign of Makar (theCAPRICORN). It falls on the 14th of January every year according to the Solar Calendar. This day has a very special significance because the day and night on Makar Sankrant are of exactly of equal hours. This day is celebrated as a festival right from the times of the Aryans and is looked upon as the most auspicious day by the Hindus.

The evidence of this festival being lucky is found in our great epic Mahabharat wherein it is told that the great warrior-hero, Bhishma Pitamah  even after being wounded and lying on the bed of arrows, lingered on till Uttarayan set in, to breathe his last. It is believed that the person who dies on this auspicious day of Sankrant escapes the cycle of birth and re-birth and that his soul mingles with the Almighty.

This festival is celebrated differently in different parts of the country yet the use of til that is sesame is found everywhere. Til or sesame seed contain lot of oil and they therefore have a quality of softness in them. Therefore, firstly the use of til in sweets is good for health and secondly being soft their exchange means exchange of love and tender feelings.

In Maharashtra on the Sankranti day people exchange multi-coloured tilguds made from til (sesame seeds) and sugar and til-laddus made from til and jaggery. Til-polis are offered for lunch and these are specialities of Maharashtra. Maharashtrian women are proud of their excellence in preparing these delicacies. While exchanging tilguls as tokens of goodwill people greet each other saying - "til-gul ghya, god god bola" meaning "accept these tilguls and speak sweet words". The under-lying thought in the exchange of tilguls is to forget the past ill-feelings and hostilities and resolve to speak sweetly and remain friends. This is a special day for the women in Maharashtra when married women are invited for a get-together called "Haldi-Kumkoo" and given gifts of any utensil, which the woman of the house purchases on that day.

In Gujarat Sankrant is observed more or less in the same manner as in Maharashtra but with a difference that in Gujarat there is a custom of giving gifts to relatives. The elders in the family give gifts to the younger members of the family. The Gujarati Pundits on this auspicious day grant scholarships to students for higher studies in astrology and philosophy. This festival thus help the maintenance of social relationships within the family, caste and community.

In Punjab where December and January are the coldest months of the year  huge bonfires are lit on the eve of Sankrant and which is celebrated as "LOHARI". Sweets, sugarcane and rice are thrown in the bonfires, around which friends and relatives gather together. Thefollowing day, which is Sankrant is celebrated as MAGHI. The Punjabi"s dance their famous Bhangra dance till they get exhausted. Then they sit down and eat the samptions food that is specially prepared for the occasion.

In Bundelkhand and Madhya Pradesh this festival of Sankrant is known by the name "SUKARAT" or"SAKARAT" and is celebrated with great pomp merriment accompanied by lot of sweets.

In South Sankrant is known by the name of "PONGAL", which takes its name from the surging of rice boiled in a pot of milk, and this festival has more significance than even Diwali. It is very popular particularly amongst farmers. Rice and pulses cooked together in ghee and milk is offered to the family deity after the ritual worship. In essence in the South this Sankrant is a "Puja" (worship) for the Sun God.

In Uttar Pradesh, Sankrant is called"KICHERI".Having bath on this day is regarded as most important. A mass of humanity can be seenbathing in the Sangam at Prayagraj where the rivers Ganga, Jamuna and Saraswathi flow together. At the confluence of these holy rivers every year Kumbh Mela is held for full one month.

In Bengal every year a Mela is held at Ganga Sagar where the river Ganga is believed to have dived into the nether region and vivified the ashes of the sixty thousand ancestors of King Bhagirath. This mela is attended by a large number of pilgrims from East India.

The tribals in our country start their New Year from the day of Sankrant by lighting bonfires, dancing and eating their particular dishes sitting together.The Bhuya tribals of Orissa have their Maghyatra in which small home-made articles are put for sale.

There is also a fair in the Western Ghats at a place called Shabari Mala, where the temple of the Community Goddess is decorated with dazzling lights. The Goddess is worshipped by touchables and un-touchables both and the "bhog" to the Goddess is cooked in the touchables and un-touchables both. These tribals participate in the Mela and enjoy all together as if they belong to one single family. May be therefore, the experts pine that this festival of Makar Sankrant comes to us from those olden times when the caste system did not exist in India as it emphasises or communal harmony.

Thus we see that this festival occupies a significant place in the cultural history of our country and symbolises the victory of ORDER over CHAOS and of Love over Hate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi,Til gud ghya, god god bola

 

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