SANKRANTI
The Rituals :
Dhanurmasam, the entire month preceding
Sankranti is considered an auspicious period of preparation of Sankranti. This begins with
the entry of Sun into the Dhanu Rasi. Exquisite Rangoli is made with rice flour
and flowers afresh everyday in front of each dwelling, welcoming the good times ahead.
Festivities are seen celebrated throughout the month ending on Makara Sankranti. The
actual festival is spread over four days.
Bhogi – The day begins with the
ritual of "Bhogimantalu". Village  folk gets gathered in
the roads in the early hours to light up a campfire with a few woods and worn out wooden
articles from the home to mark the ending of the harsh winter. Then towards the evening,
special blessings are showered on children in the form of "Bhogipallu"
with soaked Bengal gram, sugar cane pieces, diced coconut core and copper coins to mark
auspicious blessings on them. This is believed to shield them from any evil eye.
Makara Sankranti – Harvest is
brought home the new rice is then boiled in milk to make the sweet called "chakrapongali",
the special cuisine of the eve. The delicacy is first offered to Sun God, the chief deity
under worship, that is later distributed to all as prasadam. The harvest is
celebrated as being blessed with Dhanyalakshmi and a splendid feast is
shared by all after the Ishta Devatha pujas. However the focus is on the newly
married couples who are presented with special gifts and clothes.
Kanuma - Farmers decorate and
worship the cattle, their priceless possession, after their special baths. People who have
served the society are felicitated. Servants are gifted with new clothes. However,
starting a journey on the day is believed to be unlucky. This may as well be just a means
of holding the guests come home for a day more!
Mukkanuma – Young girls who set
up exhibitions of their dolls in the first three days, take a pair of dolls in procession
to the river and make them cross the water in a boat. This signifies the Sun’s
journey across the sky.
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