Religion and religious beliefs are very strange thing because it directs you to the different paths. It is very difficult to shake of all the customs, even we intend to show it, but in back of our mind we always relish it. The cultural environment we experience during the course of our upbringing is work like a foundation stone and in rare case when we can able to choose between the good and bad one. Being born and bought up as an orthodox Hindu I feel that my religion gave me a fare share of moderate views, of-course I have no idea about hard liners. I had many friends from different religions like Christians, Muslims, Jews, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists and others too.
I can eat at any place, only consideration will be the cleanliness. It is funny but true that religion is mainly attached with the place of prayer. I visited many of them at my ease and comfort. Of-course at some places people from other religions is not allowed and in some others, women have no permission. If given chance I would have visited that too and probably done it with great comfort as same as going to a temple. Do not blame others, in Hindu religion once people from different castes were never allowed to a temple and it was the upper caste (?) who ruled the god. Even until now, people belonging to other religions are prohibited to enter some temples in South India and their counterparts from Eastern region. Wonder who are making these rules on the behalf of God, just wanted to know who they are and just wanted to explore their mindset. This is the main cause that prevented from Hinduism to spread its wings like other religions. When we baptize a person to Hinduism, first question will arrive that is the caste, there will be big issue about the caste of the new entrance. Absurd!
One thing for that Hindus will always stand out from others and that is their festivals. Large varieties of Colourful of festivals you will never find in any other religion. Just stand near a Hindu calendar and there you will find loads of it, some small and some huge. If you cannot find one then you can create one. Be it social or religious, Festival India always rocks. Some are regional and some celebrated all over India and other part of world by the Hindus. Makar Sankranti is one of such, celebrated most part of India but different way.
Makar Sankranti generally celebrated either on 14th or 15th January and according to Hindu calendar, it is the last day of month of Poush. For Tamilians it is Pongal, a harvest festival. Pongal in Tamil means, "boiling over or spill over." Mostly, Tamilians make a special kind of rice in Pongal, my friend who is working in Dadar Post Office always invited us for this occasion. Maharashtrians celebrate it by distributing sweets made out of Sesame seed and jaggery (Til Laddo). While distributing they always says ‘Til gur ghaya ani gor gor bola’ (to keep love and harmony) . Wow! World would have no problem if a piece of sweet could make this wonder. I knew an elderly Maharashtrian lady, a retired teacher, used to call her ‘Tai’ (elder sister), she often send me a Sankranti card. In North India, the day is known as Maghi and for Punjabi's it is Lohri.
West Bengal experiences thousands of pilgrims from different parts of the country. Pilgrims throng at Gangasagar, near the ashram of the sage Kapil, which has been a famous holy pilgrimage in Bengal. It is said that a dip in the ice-cold water at the junction of the river and the sea is auspicious.
I have fond memories from my childhood during the Sankranti. There were lots of hustle bustle and activities took place in the kitchen. Mom, Granny and Aunts made many varieties of homemade sweets and we kids were made to pay more attention around the kitchen than any other thing. I was very fond of sweets in my earlier days, but I don’t blame myself, as we were not having too many other options to choose from like chocos, pastries etc. While in Jammy, mom made these sweets over there too but with her, everything is gone.
On the eve of Makar Sankranti, I wish all, using their own way, of-course without any sweets but close your eyes and feel the sweet touch of mine, it is always there.
!!!So, Yesterday once more, Today forever and Tomorrow..........…break ke baad.!!!
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