By Swami Shivananda

Sankranti means to go from one place to another place (to change direction). It also means one meets another. The time when the sun changes direction from one constellation (of the zodiac) to another is known as Sankranti.
Transition of the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere (Uttarayana) is known as Makar sankranti.

Solar Year – Importance of the Sun

There are 12 signs of the zodiac. There are 12 Sankrantis as well. They are given names according to the position of the sun in relation to the signs of the zodiac. Each of the 12 Sankrantis has its relevant importance but two of these are most prominent.

These two are Mesh Sankranti and Makar Sankranti (Aries and Capricorn).The solar year commences when the sun is in Aries (the first sign of the zodiac). From the point of view of mathematical calculations, the solar year is more scientific than the lunar year. One lunar year has 354 days only and lunar days (or nights) increase or decrease according to the phases of the moon. Compare this to the solar year which has 365 ¼ days and remains the same. Many astrological books are based upon solar calculations. The sun is the most important and the most prominent of our stars and the undisputed lord of our planetary system. The sun always comes first. First day of the week commences with Sunday (Ravi).

Science attaches great importance to the sun. The sun is the inexhaustible storehouse and the source of light and energy. Without sunlight creatures and vegetation would cease to exist. People will lose their life sustaining vitality. Lack of nourishing substances would lead to the end of creation. This is why the sun’s existence, movements and positions in the cosmos are so important and that is why the sun earns our respect, admiration and reverence.

Mesh Sankranti

The solar year commences when the sun is in Aries (the first sign of the zodiac). During this auspicious period, great deal of merits are acquired by performing Havan (Yajna or Sacred Fire ceremony), Japa (repetition of Mantra or God’s name), Shraddha, Charity etc. Householders top up their grain jars and families start wedding preparations for their sons and daughters of marriageable age.

Makar Sankranti
The second Sankranti of great importance is Makar. Transition of the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere (Uttarayana) is known as Makar sankranti. The sun and journeys northward. The days are gradually lengthening in the northern hemisphere.

Khichadi Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is also known as KHICHADI (Indian dish made from rice and lentils) Sankranti because on this day the injunction to eat Khichadi , is generally observed by people. Seasonal crops become available. Ghee, and spices are used for making tasty nourishing Khichadi. Winter loosens its grip on shiver producing cold, admitting springtime that brings with it the chance for all round health improvement.

Til Sankranti
In addition to Khichadi, great importance is attached to the use of TIL (Sesame seeds) during Makar Sankranti. Therefore, this Sankranti 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. Sankranti 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.

Kite Flying Day – Uttarayan
Makar Sankranti is also celebrated with great enthusiasm as the Kite flying day.

Gangasagar and Surya Puja
At Sankranti time great importance is attached to Ganga snaan (bathing with waters of the river Ganges) and Surya Puja (worshipping the sun). Bathing, worshipping gods, Havan, Japa, Fasting and Charity; each of these are extremely holy deeds.From Makar Sankranti onwards when the sun is travelling northwards, innumerable auspicious things start happening. Climate and atmosphere improve. Children born during this period are naturally progressive, well mannered, pleasant and of noble disposition.

The Bhagavad Gita mentions the importance of the northern path of the sun at the time of death. This was the reason why Grandsire Bhishma, who was wounded in battle and in semi conscious state, while lying on the bed of arrows, chose to wait it out, awaiting the northward path of the sun, before choosing to die.

All such special reasons make the northward journey of the sun sacred and auspicious at Makar Sankranti.

Makara Shankranti – The Pongal

This is the day when the sun begins its northward journey. It usually falls in the middle of January. For the people of the northern hemisphere, the northward path of the sun marks the period when the sun is getting closer and closer to them, when the days are getting longer, and it is becoming warmer and warmer.

To Hindus, the sun stands for knowledge, spiritual light and wisdom. Makara Shankranti signifies that we should turn away from the darkness of delusion in which we live, and begin to joyously let the light within us shine brighter and brighter. We should gradually begin to grow in purity, wisdom, and knowledge, even as the sun does from this day.

In fact, the sun itself stands for all the ideals of the Pongal festival. Its message is that of light, unity, equality and true selflessness. These are the ideals of Karma Yoga. Hence, the sun is the greatest Karma Yogi. Does it ask any reward for all that it gives to us? If it stops shedding its light, we are doomed to death. If we learn this one lesson from the sun, our lives will shine with divine lustre like that of the sun.

Makara Shankranti is called Pongal by the Tamilians, from whom it ushers in the New Year. The day begins with Surya Pongal or sun worship. The newly harvested corn is then cooked for the first time.

Joyous festivities mark the celebration in every home. Servants, farmers and the poor are fed and clothed, and given presents of money. On the next day, the cow, which is regarded as the symbol of the Holy Mother, is worshipped. Birds and animals are also fed.

In this manner the devotee’s heart gradually expands during the course of the celebrations. Love extends from the household to servants, the poor, the cow and all other living creatures.

During this holy festival we learn to feel our oneness with all creation; we learn to be unselfish and to tread the path of love, purity and forgiveness. We learn that our real wealth is the goodwill and friendship of those around us, the land on which our food grows, and the animals that help to make our work lighter.

“Share what you have with all” – this is the clarion call of the Pongal festival.

Sankranti is celebrated all over India and Nepal with some regional variations:

• In North India,
  • Punjab – Lohri
• In East India,
  • Bihar – Sankranti
  • West Bengal and Assam – Bhogali Bihu
  • Gujarat and Rajasthan – Uttarayan (Kite flying festival)
• In South India,
  • In Tamilnadu – Pongal
  • In Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh – Sankranthi
  • Makara Vilakku Festival in Sabarimala Temple
• Other parts of India as Makara Sankranti
• In Nepal,
  • Tharu people – Maghi
  • Other people – Maghe Sankranti or Maghe Sakrati

Focus Resolutions on Getting the Most out of Life, Now

© Tel Asiado

New Year’s tips to a fresh start for a healthier, calmer, and less stressful life.

The New Year means giving yourself another chance at life, a fresh start. Some might have prepared their resolutions, while others can’t be bothered but that doesn’t mean they haven’t mentally prepared themselves their own resolve. Always, it’s the time to plan carefully, set goals and prioritize. By doing them, simple things can be enjoyed with a calmer and less stressed living. Here are some tips or reminders to consider.

Reflect

You know you need to change, but can’ t quite put your finger on what exactly is making you anxious, unsettled or frustrated. Desires can be muddled by responsibilities or concern for others, fear of the consequences, uncertainties or being out of touch with your feelings. A few mental exercises can help pinpoint your goals. Write down your thoughts, worries and needs. It’s a powerful way to clarify thoughts, confront fears and help identify and secure commitments. Make your goals specific, measurable, attainable and time-specific.

Take a look at your life from a number of perspectives: work, home, health, relationships and money. How about your spiritual life? How do you feel about each of these areas? Be specific. What actions can you take to improve on them?

Resolve

Who hasn’t ever made a New Year’s resolution to keep a tidier house or lose weight? Keeping them is the hard part. Motivation and discipline are the keys. Resolutions should be realistic, practical and from the heart. If you’re looking for a job then network and be persistent with your job search. Beware of including resolutions that say “I should….” or “I ought to…” which are likely more to please others or expectations from others than your own.

Reduce Time-Wasters

Identify activities, task or chores that can be reduced or eliminated as they waste time or create more stress. If it’s a burden of home tasks, set household goals and share the load with other members of the family. Prioritize. Time-wasters can occur in any area of your life.

Relate

Communication is most important in any relationship. It’s a challenge to keep lines open in order to maintain a harmonious relationship. It is how feelings and experiences are shared to build and sustain a healthy togetherness. Be assertive and not aggressive, maintain a win-win situation or try hard to make it so by talking it over rather than harboring ill-feelings. Practice patience, tolerance and respect – easier said than done, but can be done.

Reassess

Financial difficulties can be a result of previous mistakes. Now is the time to reassess factors such as lack of planning that has proved costly; overspending; allocating for the lean times or unexpected events like illness or loss of a partner; credit balance, which could be an expensive debt carried over from month to month; untimely decisions made which you are not ready to do, as during a period of grief or after a divorce.

Reinvent

This pertains to key areas in your life that need changing for the better. Think and write down and act on those you believe need to change or to let go, plan a strategy. For example, your lifestyle, your spending, your career, your skills, and your relationships. Again, be specific and time-specific.

Relax and Revive

Remember to relax at your own pace, to revive. Cool it and take a rest. This will release muscle tensions, normalize breathing and pulse rates.

A New Year, New Beginning, New You.

video by : Praveen Mayakar

1. Draw a Pig – tells a whole lot about yourself based on your drawing of a pig. May sound ridiculous but seems to work extremely well. Currently counts over 1.3 mil drawn pigs, with several hundreds of pigs being added hourly. Check out some of the recently added pigs

2. LikeBetter – here you’ll be shown 2 pictures, select the one you like more and keep doing so until a small brain in the middle turns red. Once it does press on it to find out what it discovered about you.

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ex: Opera – “You really don’t care for they Firefox hype. What you want is the best browser there is – and for you that’s Opera. You actually used to pay them when the browser was ad supported. If a Firefox fanboi starts talking smack about your browser you quickly shoot him down by proposing the ACID2 test….”

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6. Imagini VisialDNA – they’ll give you a concept along with a bunch of pictures and ask you to select the best association. Concepts include ‘your ideal holiday’, ‘favorite landscape’, ‘your type bedroom’, ‘your idea of love’ and so on.

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written by Kaly