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Four days of fun and festivities ahead

Sankranti or Pongal is also called big festival not without reason. Though Dasara or Sarannavarathri is celebrated for ten or nine days and of late, Ganesh Chaturthi festivities are also organised on similar scale, Sankranti is different as it comprises four big festival days, each having a special significance.

The four grand festivals fall on consecutive days—Bhogi, Sankranti or Pongal, Kanuma or the festival of cattle, and Mukkanuma. The first in the series Bhogi will be celebrated on January 14. Coming soon after the English New Year Day, it also has the same significance of ‘ringing out the old and ringing in the new’.

In the wee hours on Bhogi day, a bon fire is set up in the front yard of the house. People collect firewood and splinters and set up a fire into which all old goods and unwanted material is thrown. This is literally a warm up for the big occasion. Soon after it is over, people, young and old, take oil bath and pray to Lord Indra and favourite deity. This is also the last day of Dhanurmasam comprising last half of Maargaseersha and first half of Pushya months of the Telugu calender. After month-long morning prayers which include chanting of Tiruppavai of Godadevi or Andal at the rate of one pasura or verse a day, Sri Goda kalyanam is performed on a grand scale, offering prayers to Her as well as Lord Vishnu. In the evening, small berries are poured over children, an event which is said to ward off all evils and gain the grace of Lord Vishnu. The berries available during the season are mixed with pieces of sugar cane and coins. The children are dressed in new clothes for the occasion. The next day is Sankranti which is also called Makara Sankranti considered the biggest of the festivals. It was also an occasion when elders are remembered and special pujas are held. Sankranti is followed the next day by Kanuma or Pasuvula Panduga.

The cattle sheds and cattle are cleaned and decorated. The cattle are also worshipped on the occasion. This day is followed by Mukkanuma which is earmarked for feasting, fun and frolic. This year, Bhogi, Sankranthi, Kanuma and Mukkanuma are celebrated from January 14 to 17 in that order.

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