SURYA NAMASKAAR

Sun is the gigantic star of the Solar system. Massive in size, Hydrogen and Helium are its main elements of composition. It is 149,600,000 kms away from Earth. No power in the Universe can sideline, ignore or beat the Sun as it is a symbol of Divine power. As it overpowers all the eight planets and stars put together, it is an indomitable power house of all light and energy.

Being massive in size, it allows plants to photosynthesize. It also helps to form Fossil fuels which are burnt for energy. When days are sunny especially in summer, one does welcome both sun rise and sun set. However, when it becomes scorching by midday, our curses come out freely. But with soaring temperatures daily works have to be carried forward. No respite, whatsoever.

Sun Worship

Sun has been an object of unusual veneration in many cultures. Sun or Sol God is worshipped as a special deity twice a year in India – on Chhath Puja day and Makar Sankranti. Devotees observe the most difficult CHHATH by keeping a water bereft fast of over 36 hours. Sun is worshipped first in the evening. Again the next day, very early, the devotees offer ‘Argya’ to the rising Sun. In this festival, home cooked Thekua and fresh, raw fruits are offered as Prasaad. This is the only festival in which help and guidance of priest is not needed. Friends and relatives assemble in large numbers to ensure its preparation for days and its ultimate success.

Sun is supposed to enter Makar Rashi from Dhanu Rashi on Makar Sankranti day. This day marks transition of Sun from Zodiac sign of Sagitaurus to Capricorn (Makar), marking the beginning of Uttarayan. Sun movement thus shifts from south to north. This results in longer days and a warm temperature. The movement of the Sun is believed to bring positivity, prosperity and spiritual growth.It is supposed to signify the end of winter and onset of spring. It is hailed and celebrated all over. However, for a change, nowadays cold / cool winter is experienced even after the celebration of Makar Sankranti.

Lhori, Makar Sankranti, Bihu, Pongal & Uttarayan

LHORI is celebrated the night before Makar Sankranti. It is observed with fun and frolic by Sikhs and Hindus having roots in North India. It is dedicated to Sun God. It is essentially celebrating the movement of the Sun around a huge fire. The fire is lit in the evening and peanuts, popcorn and local sweets are thrown into fire. Same is distributed among the people who throng the fireplace.

MAKAR SANKRANTI is celebrated with tremendous joy, gaiety and enthusiasm by different names all over our vast country. It is Lohri in Punjab, Bhagi in Andhra and Telangana, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Uttarayan in Gujarat and Bihu in Assam.

BIHU is a 5,000 year old festival of Assam. There are three Bihu celebrations : On Makar Sankranti day, BHOGALI BIHU is celebrated by eating and rejoicing in a variety of food items, in which fresh harvested rice is prominent. In April, they have RONGALI BIHU in which several dance recitals mark the occasion involving the whole community. Dances have a high degree of charm, involvement and fascination. Soon after Deepawali, KONGALI BIHU is observed to denote that food materials have been all consumed and farms & homes have been emptied. A Bonfire in the field is the last exercise. Leaving the unprecedented festive mood apart, normal work all over the state gets impacted for a long period.

Irrespective of regional variations, Makar Sankranti marks pious beginning of a new agricultural season.Freshly harvested Rice, Beaten Rive, Til, Gazak, Gur Badam, Jaggery, Sweet Potato, Reddish, Curd etc are consumed upon taking bath in a river or pond, followed by wearing new clothes.For the dinner, tasty Khichdi with slight variation is prepared.

PONGAL is celebrated with joy and gratitude. It is one of the most sacred harvest festivals of Tamil Nadu. It is a vibrant celebration honouring the Sun God and offering him thanks for a bountiful harvest. First Day of the festival is dedicated to clearing out old and unwanted belongings. People burn out old items in a bonfire, known as BHOGI.

UTTARAYAN is celebrated in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and parts of M.P.

It also signifies the end of winter and onset of prosperity. During this period Sun rays are believed to be most beneficial, bringing light and warmth. It is seen as a time of renewal and a harbinger of better times. Farmers harvest Sugarcane, closely tied to Uttarayan’s celebration. People get warmth from Bonfire and joy from flying kites.

Charm of Sunlight

All the sane elements like, rather, relish sunlight and a bout of sadness if not depression ,gets reflected or penetrated during the onset of Sunset.

If days are misty and foggy, one aspires to get a glimpse of Lord Sun.When a streak of it appears on horizon, smile and momentary relief both are felt.

Advantages of Sun

Even if a bit of Fog gets cleared and resultantly, air pollution is reduced and visibility improves, the depth of feeling deep inside our heart, can not possibly be measured.

On a chilly day, which can be both bone chilling and muscle tearing, accompanied by what is termed now a Super Fog day, wind speed of 10 km/hr gives the required relief and there is nothing called ray of hope.

Drawing comfort becomes unusual from the warmth of sunshine, even if it is for an hour or two.

Global Warming And Cooling

Over a decade or so, one has been hearing of Global Warming, a worrying phenomenon, fast catching up, resulting directly into rise of earth’s temperature by 1 to 1.6 degrees every year. Emergence of mosquitos and other insects, increased rate of melting of Glaciers, change in the course of rivers, breaking and drifting of IceBergs etc.are taking place.

In the midst of warming, at times, one comes across Global Cooling also, that may, or may not be followed by rainfall. Global cooling baffles one and all. However, it is generally a short term process. But scientific evidence, invariably so far, has hinted at warming, rather than cooling.

More detailed and systematic analysis of Global Cooling is very much required. It may turn out to be a fascinating field of research. But a beginning has to be made.

TO SUM UP

Disappearance of Sun in winter during the day, is a gradual process but at times, it may be all of a sudden. Woollens that are subjected to a “sunning and airing” process since morning, are picked up one by one. One is compelled to cover up and if needed, take recourse to Quilt, consequent upon a simple and hot vegetarian lunch. Soon darkness heralds nemesis of another winter day. Who knows what the weather will be the next day but one has to be prepared to face it ?

The analysis above shows that worship of nature and its biodiversity is of prime significance for survival of mankind.Its form may differ from place to place but essence is similar.

(Alok k.Shrivastava i former Chief Secretary, Sikkim)