Sankranthi

1. Makar Sankranthi aka Pongal From Rangaji of Chinmaya Mission Seattle

2. Naming of the Event In the North: Makar Sankranthi In the South: Pongal

3. Disection The word Makara means Tropic of Capricorn and Sankraanti means crossing over. On this day the sun starts moving from the Tropic of Capricorn to the Tropic of Cancer. The chilly winter ends and the warmth of the glorious spring felt. Philosophically , Makara means crocodile. The crocodile of  samsara keeps the ignorant in its grip. To turn away from its clutches is the way to salvation. Thus a revolutionary change in life from the materialistic to the spiritual seeking is Makara Sankraanti , in the true sense,

4. Position of the Sun It always happens on January 14 It is all about the direction of the Sun and the way it is pointing… “The time when the sun changes direction from one constellation (of the zodiac) to another is known as Sankranti and transition of the Sun from Sagittarius ( Dhanu Rashi , 9th sign of Zodiac) to Capricorn ( Makar , 10th sign of Zodiac) during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere ( Uttarayana ) is known as Makar Sankranti …”

5. Auspiciousness of Sankranthi With the Sun moving northwards, innumerable auspicious things start happening Climate and Atmosphere Improves, No more Monsoons Reaping of the Harvests “ Children born during this period are naturally progressive, well mannered, pleasant and of noble disposition” The day has started to become longer.

6. With the Light Light symbolizes warmth, love, and affection. Distribution of Til-gul to all friends and family– the til seed and jaggery . The til brimming, with fragrant and delicious oil, stands for friendship and comradeship and jaggery for the sweetness of speech and behavior.

7. Jaggery

8. Stuff Done on Sankranthi Pongal is cooked with family and friends (hence the name) People dip in rivers and worship the Sun ( Gujurat ) People fly kites Spring-cleaning and burning of junk (destruction of evil) Decorative Rangolis traced on the day Newly Harvested rive is cooked (acclaim bounty of the gods)

9. Rangoli

10. Basic Message “Call it Pongal or Sankranti , the festival conveys the same message -- the bond of brotherhood and the spirit of oneness should prevail above everything else”

11. Works Cited From Ranga Pottabathni , Chinmaya Mission Seattle He has doc, if you want it, I will forward it to you

12. International Night!!!! Summary of the Events Indian Dances Volunteers