Worship the sun

The beginning of the Sun’s northward journey (Uttarayan) when it enters the sign of Makar (Capricorn) is looked upon as the most auspicious day by the Hindus and celebrated as a festival from the times of the Aryans.

This time also signifies that we should turn away from the darkness of delusion and begin to let the light within us shine brighter.

The Sun God, Surya, is said to turn his back on winter with his chariot marching forward. In Mahabharata too, the auspiciousness of this period is mentioned.

Bhishma Pitamaha, in spite of being wounded and lying on a bed of arrows, waits for Uttarayan before breathing his last. It is believed that a person who dies in this period attains ‘moksha’ (salvation) and escapes the cycle of birth and death.

During this holy festival we learn that our real wealth is the goodwill of those around us, the land on which our food grows, and the animals that help to make our work lighter.

In Punjab where December and January are the coldest months of the year, huge bonfires are lit and celebrated as Lohri. Sweets, sugarcane and rice are thrown in the bonfires, around which friends and relatives gather together.

In Bundelkhand and Madhya Pradesh this festival is known as Sukarat and is celebrated with great pomp and merriment .
In South it is known as Pongal, which takes its name from the rice boiled in a pot of milk. It is very popular particularly amongst farmers.

In Uttar Pradesh, it is called Kicheri. Having bath on this day is regarded as important. A mass of humanity can be seen bathing in the Sangam at Prayagraj where the rivers Ganga, Jamuna and Saraswati flow.

It is observed in West Bengal as Gangasagar Mela at Sagar island where the Ganga connects with the Bay of Bengal. It is believed that taking a holy dip here cleanses all sins.

From various sources