Everything auspicious in most Hindu families is initiated post Makar Sankranti. Up North Lohri is celebrated to bid farewell to winter and welcome harvest. It marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn.
As a little girl I have vivid memories of my mother preparing a large plate of til ka laddoos that we children polished it off in no time. She always drew a swastika at the door on this day and hung a fresh flower toran on the main door.
My father encouraged us to start a new chapter in our school studies and extra-curricular activities. “Whatever you begin today will be accomplished without interruptions”.
I have remembered that and always started a new book or project on this day. Most people do that, celebrating the festival in different regions by different names. Poush Sankranti in Bengal, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Uttarayan in Gujarat, Magh Bihu in Assam and Makar Sankranti in North India.
This year I am going to explore the stories behind the many Indian festivals, the origin, the customs and the significance. Watch this space for more…