Dhanurmasam Rituals Spruce Up Sankranthi
Dhanurmasam is considered a solar month and comes in between two lunar months of Margashirsha and Pushyam, drawing 15 days from each of them
Sankranti or Makara Sankranti is a harvest festival celebrated across India, marking the transition of the Sun to the Makara (Capricorn) constellation (phase) from Sagittarius (Dhanu) zodiac sign. It is known by different names in different states and signifies the Sun's northward journey, Uttarayan, from Dakshinayan, which is considered auspicious. The festival is celebrated around January 14, as the Sun transitions from the winter solstice period into Capricorn, marking the shift to longer days. It is a tribute to the Sun God, the source of life on earth.
It is known by different names in different states. In Andhra Pradesh, it is called Makara Sankranti or Pedda Panduga, in Tamil Nadu as Pongal, in Gujarat as Uttarayan, in West Bengal as Poush Parbon or Gangasagar Mela, in Punjab as Lohri, and in Bihar as Khichdi Parv.
True to the name Pedda Panduga (big festival), Sankranti is celebrated for four days in Andhra Pradesh when families get together for the festivities.
Family members living or working in far-off places travel back home to enjoy the occasion with various sporting activities and relish the delicacies. The glory of the festival can be witnessed in the rural areas, as many of the rituals are connected to the agrarian lifestyle. People in urban areas also celebrate the festival sans the rural authenticity. It is for the same reason that people travel in hordes to their native places to experience the festival in the best possible manner.
Customarily, newlyweds are invited to the wife's family, and the new son-in-law is given special hospitality to acclimatise him to the new home and the family members. He is treated to a feast and served many delicacies, which is considered a matter of prestige for the girl's parents.
The festival is primarily celebrated, signifying the onset of harvest season. As paddy is the major crop cultivated in Andhra Pradesh, rice-based snacks are the primary delicacies in the festival menu.
During the four days of the festival, a variety of rituals are performed, marking fresh beginnings in life. Hindu festivals propagate the unity of the community and spiritual growth.
DHANURMASAM
Sankranti rituals have a strong connection with Dhanurmasam, celebrated from mid-December till Bhogi, during which Lord Vishnu and Goda Devi are worshipped. During the spiritual month, devotees recite one of the 30 verses, Pasurams, from Goda Devi's Thiruppavai each morning, focusing on devotion to Lord Vishnu. The auspicious month concludes with Goda Devi's Kalyanam (marriage) to Lord Ranganath (Lord Vishnu). Dhanurmasam is considered a solar month and comes in between two lunar months of Margashirsha and Pushyam, drawing 15 days from each of them.
Rangolis, Gobbillu, Gangireddulu, and Haridasulu are an integral part of Dhanurmasam. Women begin decorating their thresholds with beautiful rangolis with the onset of Dhanurmasam. Gobbillu or cow dung balls adorned with flowers, turmeric, vermilion and rice flour are used to enhance the beauty of rangolis.
Teenage girls enjoy themselves by inviting their neighbours and friends to organise Gobbilla Perantalu. During this time, the youngsters dance around the gobbillu singing songs reflecting culture and social life. Dressed in the traditional half-sarees with jada gantalu (hair ornament) hanging from their braids and flowers adorned in their hair, the young girls reflect Telugu culture and lifestyle. After the perantam (like a folk kitty party), the cow dung balls are stuck to the walls to dry up in the sun and become cakes. Then the cakes are burnt in the Bhogi mantalu on Bhogi day, which is believed to purify the air.
The Haridasas, wearing saffron dhotis with a garland around the neck and other accessories, remind us of Sage Narada, an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. Belonging to a sect in the Vaishnava community, they tie gajjelu (anklets) to their feet, carry a tambura in one hand and play chidatalu (castanets/kartal) in the other, singing Ramadasu keertans accompanied by 'Harilo ranga hari' chants.
With a pumpkin-shaped bowl securely placed on their heads, Haridasus keep walking through the streets singing keertans and chanting Lord Vishnu's name. Usually, they do not take a halt or seek alms but receive rice offered in a bowl on their head by doing atma pradakshina and bowing down gently. Haridasus passing through the streets, with utmost care not to spoil the rangolis or gobbemmalu ( cow dung cakes), adds to the beauty of the idyllic celebration of the festival.
Gangireddu Melam is a major attraction during the festival. Oxen decorated with flowers, silk clothes in vibrant colours, anklets and shell necklaces, artificial flower garlands tied to their neck and legs, and trinkets to their horns, called Gangireddulu, are taken door to door by herdsmen seeking alms in cash or kind. The herdsmen, in a group of 3-4 members, leading an ox or two, sing special songs in colloquial language, praising and blessing those giving alms. These festivities continue all through the Dhanurmasam. Gangireddu is considered to be the sacred Nandikeshwara, the vehicle of Lord Shiva, symbolising divinity and good luck. The herdsmen wear dhotis and colourful shirts with a kanduva and turban tied around their heads, playing shruti and sannai. A few even wear coats and turbans. Worshipping the oxen that helped them in cultivating the fields is a mark of gratitude.
The month-long festivities conclude in rituals performed on the four days of the festival.