Makar Sankranti – 2019

Makar : The Propitious Starting

First of a new month is termed as ‘Sankranti’ in Odia terminology. ‘Makar Sankranti’ is the most widely observed and the holiest ‘Sankranti’ in accordance with the Hindu mythologies. Odisha’s Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj areas can be taken as the breeding place of this great festival. An eye to the down the line of time can make us know the tradition. Sacred river ‘Baitarani’, originated from the hills and rocks of Keonjhar is worshiped as the ‘Mother’ by not only the Keonjharians, but a large section of human race. Indus valley civilization was nurtured besides river ‘Sindhu’. Enermous documents are also found in the pages of time to substantiate the origination of this Grand ritual i.e. the ‘Makar Sankranti’. Back to the prehistoric era, ‘Baitarani Civilization’ was also flourishing on the bank of the Punyatoya ‘Baitarani’. Primitive tribes such as Juangas were leading their lives with ease and simplicity. Mother Baitarani was providing them with material necessities along with eternal solace. Offering ‘Makar Chaula (rice gram)’ to the Lord of the Lords, Bhagwan ‘Siba’ these adivasis were dipping into the ocean of joy and ceremony. They dance to the tunes of their traditional beats with geity.The older dwellers on earth were these primitives. They had set up an unwritten trend in our society to count from one ‘Makar Sankranti’ to another as a year. Agriculturists and land lords were used to appoint servants for their farming works on this holy ‘Sankranti’. Now, we also see this festival to be observed most vigorously in the twin tribal dominated districts of Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj. Mammoth fair at Barhatipura in Keonjhar and Thakurmunda in Mayurbhanj district mark the occasion with heavy turn up from remote parts of the state and the country as well. Tribal showmen exhibit lots of horror shows like walking on fire…etc. Two districts of Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj retire to a festive mood absolutely for a week or more, during ‘Makar’. Men from every walk of life are on week long leave from their professional assignments. Huge gathering of devotees at Ghatgaon of Keonjhar district for ‘Tarini Darshan’ manifests the importance of the day in the lives of the districts of Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj. Another shrine on the bank of river ‘Baitarani’, the ‘Kundeshwar Temple’ near Anandpur of Keonjhar district also witnesses big congregation of worshipers on this auspicious day. It is a universal truth. Punyatoya ‘Baitarani’ has mothered civilizations, rites, rituals and emotions in the mind and soul of the so called ‘Gadjatias’. These people can’t sever their sentimental bond from this river. So, any move for stealing water from the bed of river ‘Baitarani’ is nothing but the smuggling of a mother’s milk from the leaps of the innocent babe, which is an inexcusable crime and is quite indigestible, at least by we ‘Keonjharians’. Any way, Season’s Greetings and heartiest good wishes to all on the eve of ‘Makar Sankranti’. Good going to all…