Makar Sankranthi Greetings to All my friends.

“Makar Sankranthi” Greetings to All my friends ... this is one of the most famous Indian festivals that is cherished and celebrated with great entertainment throughout the country each region having its own traditional occasion .... may Sri. Hari grant us all a very Successful- Prosperous year ahead with loads of happiness and good health ... Stay Blessed~ Spread Happiness ....

** Makar Sankranthi represents the end of winter season wherein the cold weather of winter changes over to pleasant sunshine. It is that time of the year when farmers start harvesting for a fruitful coming year after offering prayers to God.

** This festive day is highly auspicious being dedicated to “Bhagawan Surya Dev (Sun God)”. People all over the country begin the day with a holy dip and paying homage to the Surya Dev seeking blessings. It is believed that even Bhagawan Surya (Sun) visited his son Shani Dev on this day with the intention to settle a long dispute going on between them, the very reason why the father and son did not get along well. Surya Dev is said to have kept aside all his differences and go in for a truce there by setting an example to mankind in the act of forgiveness, unity and keeping of happy relations. 

** That is the very reason why this day is considered auspicious when people try to forget all the bitterness or hatred and try to forgive and move on to a brighter future beginning with a sweet worded talks, forgetting any ill-feelings or differences and foster good relations. I guess we all need to follow this ancient practice of forgive- forget and move on attitude for a peaceful and happy life. As a mark of peace, "Kites" are flown in joy not only to please the God who is said to be immensely pleased with it but to also spread Unity, Peace and Love among people, a beautiful mankind gesture. 

** To mark this change of good gesture on on Makar Sankranthi day people of Maharahtra state, India; celebrate by offering each other tilgul- ladoos/ chikki a sweet item prepared from sesame seeds/ til and jaggery. People exchange these sweets with the words 'tilgul ghya, goad goad bola'. Which means have these sweet tilguls and always speak words that are as sweet as these ladoos. Suhagans ie married women invite other married ladies for offering of haldi kumkum with a token of small gift. These given a gift as a token of respect along with the til ladoo after offering to God and wishing well for coming year.

** On this day of Makar Sankranthi, Sun travels from Southernmost point (Dakshinayan) to the northernmost point (uttarayan). This change over marks the beginning of Uttarayan from which day the auspicious days of celebrations of munji ie Brahmopadesha begins. It is mentioned in our scriptures that Uttarayana is the day time period for God and Dakshinayana is the night time for them. So, Uttarayan is considered more auspicious period when though traditional for Hindus there are plenty of auspicious occasions that we observe during both periods, I guess its all about following traditions. Ratasaptami, Holi, Maha Shivaratri, Ugadhi and many other festivals fall under this period too. 

** Makar Sankranti is celebrated in Kerala State; India at Sabarimala, the pilgrimage center for the followers of Sri. Ayappa Swamy. The forty days of strict spiritual discipline undertaken by devotees comes to an end on this particular day with a big celebration at Sabarimala. The Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha temple is the "Sacred Abode of Sri. Ayappa"; who is the elder son of Bhagawan Shiva- Paravati. There is a history of rules and regulations followed for centuries that need to be strictly adhered to for the Dharshan of Sri. Ayappa which marks the faith of the true followers.  

** All these festivals all round the country that fall on the same day shows the unity of Hinduism. The traditions and celebrations might be different, but each one of these festivals conveys the same message of brotherhood and peace. So this "Makar Sankranti" forget your difference of opinions, hatreds, animosity and spread the message of Peace and Love. Do prepare these delicious "Til gul ie Sesame Ladoo" and share it with your family, friends, neighbors and anybody you come across today with respect and love, remember what you give or share is always what you get back doubled.

** Here is a Beautiful Message of Makar Sankranti by Spiritual Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ... Guruji says that we should consider ourselves insignificant like the sesame seed that we are not as important as we think to be. One should consider oneself like the sesame seed, if you notice, the sesame seed is black on the outside and white within. These days its the other way round, people are black within and fair outside. Spirituality teaches us that it should not be so, one should make attempt to hold purity within. We should let go off their ego or make it small like sesame seeds and words as sweet as jaggery. 

** To all my friends here on the auspicious day of Makara Sankarati my heartfelt wishes for "A VERY HAPPY MAKAR SANKRANTI and A LOVELY YEAR AHEAD” ... Tilgul Ghyaa Goad Goad Bolaa” meaning please have this til ka ladoo and let your speech always be sweet.   …. Stay Blessed and Enjoy the festival.

** Disclaimer : Picture- Story Courtesy : Compiled by Me from Various Sources, Friends and also from the Net. Tilgul/ Laddoo/ Chikki Photo's is exclusively mine. My sole intention of this write up is to encourage all my friends to join hands in passing our traditions, culture, good habits and healthy lifestyle to coming generations which we received from our ancestors as that is the only best gift you can give to them. I am the sole writer of this article and it is not derived or copied from anywhere except for researched topics of the same. However, If it hurts anyone's sentiments then do excuse me, it was not intentional. I have minimum knowledge of our vast and wonderful traditions, so whatever is written is within my own knowledge while there may be much more to it. There are plenty of both traditional and other items like combo meals, breakfast dishes, thali, snacks, sweets, baking etc. that are shared in my blog, most of which I learnt from my Amma (Mom). Do browse through in leisure and try them out as and when time permits, they are all simple and tasty, all we need is a little bit of planning and it’s a breeze work. A Very Happy New Year to all my friends ... Stay Blessed- Spread Happiness ...