
Today is the day when the Sun enters the constellation of Makara (Capricorn). It’s celebrated as Pongal, Bihu, Bhogi and mostly as Makara Sankranti in India to express gratitude to Mother Earth for providing sustenance in the form of grains and other edibles, and also to the farm animals, especially the cow, which is worshipped and treated as mother. We are the only mammals who drink the milk of other species.

This festival is important, because a society can survive without rocket technology, but not without agriculture. This day of gratitude and celebration of the bountifulness of the earth and nature is a beautiful Indian festival that all environmentalists, irrespective of the religion and geography, should participate in.

This is celebrated by flying kites, lighting bonfires, bathing in holy rivers, worshipping Lord Sun, making, eating and distributing sweets made from sesame (til) and jaggery.
Now on a lighter note, here is a ditty, as usual in the evening. The topic is
नज़ाकत / The Delicacy
एक मशहूर शायर का एक शेर था-
“क्या नज़ाकत है कि आरिज़ उनके नीले पड़ गए,
मैं ने तो बोसा लिया था ख़्वाब में तस्वीर का..”
मकर संक्रांति के अवसर पर इसी शेर से प्रेरणा लेते हुए लखनऊ के ‘छोटे नवाब’ ने फरमाया –
“ख्वाब में खिलाए थे मैं ने उन्हें तिल के लड्डू,
सहर क्या हुआ कुछ तिल उभर आए चेहरे पर उनके..”

A great poet had written-
“How delicate she is
that her cheeks turned blue,
even though I kissed
her photograph in my dreams..”
Inspired by this couplet, on the eve of Makara Sankranti, the ‘Mini Nawab’ of Lucknow wrote,
“I had fed her sesame (TIL) sweets
in my dreams,
in the morning I spotted some moles (TIL) on her face..”
P.S.
Both sesame seeds and moles are called ‘TIL‘ in Hindi. They look alike. As mentioned above, TIL sweets are traditionally eaten on the day of Makara Sankranti.
–Kaushal Kishore
वाह, बहुत अच्छा शेर है |
आपको और आपके परिवार को मकर संक्रांति की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं |
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बहुत बहुत धन्यवाद…और आपको भी संक्रांति की मंगलमय कामनाएं 🎉
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Happy Makar Sakranti sir🌹🌹
अवसर तो था मकर संक्रांति का
पर ज़िक्र तिल का छिड़ गया😊😊
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हा हा, संक्रांति की मंगल कामनाएं आपको भी 🎉🎉💐
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Fascinating post,KK. Thanks so much for sharing.💕
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Thank you so much for your kind words of appreciation 😊💖
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My pleasure.💕
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A very happy Sankranti KK sir!!💐
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Thank you, Suvi and wish you the same to you too 🎉
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Thank you:)
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This is as exotic and enlighting, Kaushal, as one can find. I love the ditty and the double meaning.
Happy Makar Sankrantiti!
Joanna
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Thank you, Joanna. I always cherish your thoughtful comment. Happy Sankranti to you too!!
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You are more than welcome!
Joanna
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“ख्वाब में खिलाए थे मैं ने उन्हें तिल के लड्डू,
सहर क्या हुआ कुछ तिल उभर आए चेहरे पर उनके..”
Happy Makar Sankranti, KK 🌄
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यही पसंद आया। Thank you and wish you the same 🌞
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Nhi. Pura article pasand aaya. In lines me til ka jaise use kiya kya, wo mujhe achha laga.
Aap bhi kuch aisa likh sakte hai??
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बहुत बहुत धन्यवाद। मैं तो हर विषय पर लिखता हूं, जो भी दिमाग में आ जाए।
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awwwww tender 💖
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Thanks a lot 😊💖
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You’re so welcome Kausal!
❤️
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Reblogged this on silverapplequeen and commented:
I have never heard of this festival before. The world is filled with wonderful celebrations.
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Thank you so much for this kind gesture. In India, there are so many festivals in different parts. We enjoy celebrations.
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Wow, sesame and sesame oil are my favorite. And love this colorful festival of yours. I do need to look up the word “Capricorn” though.
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Glad to know this. We have a number of festivals to celebrate. Yes, capricorn is interesting, one of zodiac signs. Thank you!
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Happy Sankranthi!
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Thank you and same to you 🎉
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Belated happy Makar Sankranti, Kaushal ji💐🌹⚘
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Thank you so much 😊💐
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Happy Makar Sankranti 🪁🍫
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Thank you and same to you 😊💐
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Happy Sankramana.
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Thank you and same to you 🎉🎉
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