Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Celebrating Uttarayan

Celebrating Uttarayan

Uttarayan or can be said as Makar Sankranti is the day when the sun commences its north bound journey from zodiac constellation. On this day devotees offer food and donations to poor and believed more pure to wash of sin.

This festival is largely celebrated in Gujarat, and is known as the festival of Kite. People of these state come together in the terrace of their house and fly kite. There are flying competition and also organize some prize money for the winner. The atmosphere at this festival gets electrifying as people gather together in this competition. The thread of the kite is strengthen with glass and kite fighter match their kites with others kites in the sky and try to cut down their kites. These activity doesn’t end here, at night people lite up Chinese type latterns and leave it on sky, it looks very beautiful and look like bright twinkling stars.

People at this day prepare special food. Typical food like Undiya, sugar cane juice and local sweets are served to the guest.

The day of Uttarayan is very auspicious day. It is also believed that for at least six months god sleeps by closing the door of heaven. This festival has very importance in the agriculture economy of the state. At this time kharif crops are ready and brought to home. On this day, animals are too praised and free grasses are distributed to the cattle’s. So Uttarayan is known as the festival of harvest.

This festival is not only celebrated in Gujarat but also in other parts of country with different names. In Southern part of India, this festival is celebrated as Makar Sankranti and people begin their harvesting with new crop.

Celebrating Uttarayan is really the best day for whole country as people celebrate in their own tradition.

Tags: Celebrating Uttarayan Celebrations in India Uttarayan Celebrations in Gujarat  

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