SANKRANTI

Makara Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is the day when the glorious Sun-God begins its ascendancy and entry into the Northern Hemisphere and thus it signifies an event wherein the Sun-God seems to remind their children that 'Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya', may you go higher & higher, to more & more Light and never to darkness.

To Hindus, the Sun stands for knowledge, spiritual light, and wisdom. Makar Sankranti signifies that we should turn away from the darkness of delusion in which we live, and begin to enjoy a new life with bright light within us to shine brighter and brighter. We should gradually begin to grow in purity, wisdom, and knowledge, even as the Sun does from the Day of Makar Sankranti.

The festival of Makar Sankranti is highly regarded by the Hindus from North to down South. The day is known by various names and a variety of traditions are witnessed as one explores the festival in different states.

The festival, Sankranti (మకర సంక్రాంతి), is celebrated for four days in Andhra Pradesh as below:

• Day 1 - Bhogi
• Day 2 - Makara Sankranti (Pedda Panduga)
• Day 3 - Kanuma
• Day 4 - Mukkanuma

Bhogi

Bhogi festival or Bhogi (Telugu Festival) is the first day of Pongal and is celebrated in honor of Lord Indra, "the God of Clouds and Rains". Lord Indra is worshiped for the abundance of harvest, thereby bringing plenty and prosperity to the land. Thus, this day is also known as Indran. On Bhogi all people clean out their homes from top to bottom and collect all unwanted goods. This day is meant for domestic activities and of being together with the family members.

All the houses from the richest to the humblest are thoroughly scrubbed and whitewashed. Homes are cleaned and decorated with "Kolam" - floor designs drawn in the white paste of newly harvested rice with outlines of red mud. Often pumpkin flowers are set into cow-dung balls and placed among the patterns. Fresh harvest of rice, turmeric, and sugarcane are brought in from the field as preparation for the following day.

Pooja

A special pooja is performed on the first day of Pongal before the cutting of paddy. Farmers worship the sun and the earth by anointing their plows and sickles with sandalwood paste. It is with these consecrated tools that the newly-harvested rice is cut.

Bhogi mantalu-The Bonfire

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.

In Andhra Pradesh, this day is celebrated by girls burning their old clothes and wearing new ones after an oil massage and bath. Then follows Pongal Panai, a ritual in which new earthenware pots are painted and decorated with turmeric, flowers, and mango leaves.

Gangiredlu

Gangireddu Aata or "the bull play" is a very popular form of dance in Andhra Pradesh. It is a common sight in every village. The Gangireddu Aata is perhaps one of the very few rural entertainments that have survived through times.

'Gangireddu' is a multicolored decorated bull moving from one house to the other led by its master who plays the 'Nadaswaram' during Sankranti. Bulls are trained to dance or perform acrobatics to entertain the crowd. The training is given by the 'Yadava' sect they acquire bulls and train them. The Gangireddu earn money, clothes, and grains in return for the performance, and are active during the Sankranti and Dusshera festivals.

The feats of the Gangireddu (bull) are indeed pleasing. The Gangireddu can dance rhythmically, nod in acceptance, deny in negation, kneel down and prostrate, bow down and even stretch its tongue to show it can sing. It can put its four legs on a plate or exhibit more enterprising feats such as standing on its master's chest and bowing down in reverence when he sings in praise of a donor.

Haridasu

A favorite visitor during the Sankranti time. He visits every home in search of food and alms in the name of Hari. The first visitor in festival time he is never denied of alms as it is auspicious to give your new crop in charity for better prosperity. Haridas going round villages singing devotional songs is an age-old tradition during Dhanurmasam preceding the Sankranti festival.

 Kodipandalu-cock fight

A cockfight is a blood sport between two roosters (cocks), held in a ring called a cockpit.

Cockfighting (Kodi Pandem in Telugu) is a favorite sport of people living in the coastal region of Andhra Pradesh. Three- or four-inch blades are attached to the cocks' legs. Knockout fights to the death are widely practiced in Andhra Pradesh. People watch with intense interest surrounding the cocks.The sport has gradually become a gambling sport. In many places, cockfights and other animal fights have been outlawed, often based on opposition to gambling or animal cruelty.

Radham Muggu - kolam

Muggulu(Kolam) are several types, Muggulu is made of rice flour or marble powder and colour powders. Radham muggu is a special Sankranthi Muggu which is part of Andhra Culture. This Chariot Rangoli is famous in South India, especially during Pongal. On Ratha Saptami day devotees draw Ratham kolam or Ratham Muggu, the Rangoli design of Surya Bhagwan’s chariot. It is drawn to welcome Surya Bhagwan for better health.