Significance of Bhogi & Makar Sankranthi
This year Bhoghi and Sankranthi falls on 14th & 15th January respectively. The importance of these festivals has different layers to it. Let's try to know them. THE CULTURAL LAYER Bhogi is celebrated by discarding all the old clothes, things and other wastes (Farmers discard agricultural wastes generated before harvest) into the fire. People make Rangolis and burn " Gobamma "(dried cow dung). The cow dung and fire keep the worms and other germs away. Bhogi falls during cold winters and this fire gives us warmth. Everyone is usually busy with their work and festivals like Bhogi & Sankranthi are usually celebrated together on a large scale. These festivals cause people to socialize and create stronger bonds amongst them. Sankranthi marks the beginning of Uttarayanam (Sun starts moving towards Northern hemisphere) thereby ending Dakshinayanam . In this period, the days are longer and nights are shorter. It is also the time when winter crop is harvested and the ani...