Sankranti is the Sanskrit word, which refers to the transmigration of the Sun from one Rishi(zodiac in Indian astrology) to the other. Hence there are 12 such sankrantis in all. However, the Sankranti festival usually refers to Makara Sankaranti, or the transition of the Sun from Dhanu rashi (Sagittarius) to Makara rashi (Capricorn). While the traditional Indian Calendar is based on lunar positions, Sankranti is a solar event. So while dates of all Hindu festivals keep changing as per the Gregorian calendar, the date of Makar Sankranti remains constant over a long term, 14 January. Makar Sankranti is celebrated in the Hindu Calendar month of Magha. The festival, Sankranti 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 The day preceding Makara Sankranti is called Bhogi and this is when people discard old and derelict things and concentrate on new things causing change or transformation.
At dawn people light a bonfire with logs of wood, other solid-fuels and wooden furniture at home that are no longer useful.
The disposal of derelict things is where all old habits, the vices, attachment to relations and materials things are sacrificed in the sacrificial fire of the knowledge of Rudra, known as the "Rudra Gita Gyan Yagya. It represents realization, transformation and purification of the soul by imbibing and inculcating divine virtues. (Taken from Wikipedia - Article on Makar Sankranti)
The picture depicts the lighting of the bonfire with logs of wood, other solid-fuels and wooden furniture at home that are no longer useful. The people are sitting around the bonfire to warm themselves from the winter chill. |