Vibrant Colours of One Festival – MakaraSankranti in South India
MakaraSankranti is the festival that every Hindu, regardless of the caste, creed or gender celebrates with joy. It is a harvest festival. As the granaries are full, it signifies prosperity. Sugarcanes are one of the most important and symbolic food crop of this festival. The festival of welcoming harvest and soliciting winter is usually celebrated in the month of January. The celebration in South India varies from state to state. Karnataka - MakaraSankranti People decorate their houses and light lamps. The pray and sing invoking the gods and goddesses to shower their blessings upon them. Two sugarcanes are placed on either sides of the gate or each at the entrance. The famous ‘Rangoli’ a design laid in the entrance using flour is a welcome gesture that has been in use for ages in the Indian culture. The famous ‘ellu-bella’ which is basically sesame seeds and jaggery is shared among family, friends and acquaintance. It is a gesture to signify prosperity and better ...