UTTARAAYAN - Hitesh Ahjoliya

UTTARAAYAN

         Many festivals are celebrated in India. January 14 is celebrated as the festival of Uttarayan. At sunset, the sun changes direction and moves north. The day when the sun starts moving north is known as Uttarayan. The Sun shifts from Sagittarius to Capricorn so it is also called Capricorn.

         

    Capricorn is celebrated with joy and rejoicing by people of all ages, young and old. People dress beautifully and enjoy flying kites on the roofs and terraces of their houses from early morning. All day "cut!" "A katta!" Various screams like "wrap wrap" can be heard. The sky is covered with colorful kites like a rainbow. Gujaratis eat sesame and 'chick' on this day.
         

    Makarsankranti is a festival of relaxation and joint enjoyment. People demonstrate their kite-flying skills throughout the day by cutting other flying kites. This sequence continues happily even at night. The hobbyist flies a 'lantern' (paper lamp) in the black dark sky at night tied with white kites or kites which is known as 'tukkal'. The second day of Makarsankranti is celebrated as 'Vasi Khihar'. Thus the celebration of this joyous festival lasts for two consecutive days.

         Capricorn is considered an auspicious moment, on this day Dan-Dakshina also has a special significance. On this day it is important to donate sugarcane as well as yellow colored garments. Bathing in the holy rivers is also very important.

        Many fairs are also held on Makarsankranti. A very famous Kumbh Mela which is held every twelve years at Haridwar, Prayag, Ujjain and Nashik, starts from this day.