Makar Sankranti is a festival of harvest, and marks the commencement of the Sun's journey to the Northern Hemisphere (Makara raasi), signifying the onset of Uttarayana Punyakalam, and is a day of celebration all over the country. The day begins with people taking holy dips in the waters and worshiping the Sun.
Traditionally, this period is considered an auspicious time and the veteran Bhishma of Mahabharata chose to die during this period. Bhishma fell to the arrows of Arjun. With his boon to choose the time of his death, he waited on a bed of arrows to depart from this world only during this period. It is believed that those who die in this period have no rebirth.
A bonfire is lit at dawn in front of each house, and all old and battered items are thrown into the fire to symbolize a fresh new year. The bonfires burn all night long, with people drumming and dancing around them. Homes are cleaned and decorated. Rice and red mud designs on the floor are a common decoration
The mythology, customs and celebrations ABOUT Makar Sankranti
is well explained in Wikipedia
It is a festival of Kites, black saris , and to offer puja to Sun. in Haryana daughter-in-law of the house offers woolens to all her in laws. In addition to Khir, great importance is attached to the use of TIL (Til (Sesame)) during Makar Sakranti. Therefore, this Sakranti is also called TIL Sankranti. People make Laddoos (round balls) from Til. Til oil is used for massaging.
Six types of usage of Til are described. Til is used for Bathing, for Massaging, for Havan (sacred fire ceremony), Tarpan with Til (oblations of water with Til), Til used as food, and Til is donated in charity.
It is said that Til emanates from Vishnu’s body and that the above described usage wash away all kinds of sins. Sakranti period is held to be very auspicious and any good deeds during this time will produce merits. Gifts of clothing, blankets etc., on this day are productive of merits in both this life and in the next life.
There is a custom to feed cattles on the day .people use to place a heap of green fodder on the roadsides and in corners of their houses.
Til (Sesame) and Gur (Jaggary)
Ingredients
TIL
1 cup grated Jaggery
1 cup Sesame seeds
1 tbsp घी
Method
First, roast the sesame seeds and keep aside. Then heat the ghee in a deep pan. Now add to it the grated jaggery and keep stirring till the colour changes to darker brown and a fine paste is formed.Add the roasted sesame seeds to it and stir well for 3 minutes.Next put it on a flat surface vessel or platform and roll with the help of rolling pin. Then cut it into square pieces.
Happy Day!!!
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