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 animals like cow and the agricultural tools are worshipped as a sign of gratitude for their essential role in agriculture. It serves as a remainder that our existence depends on soil, water, plants, animals etc and not the other way around. 

THE PHILOSOPHICAL LAYER 

Bonfires are lit in homes and communities, symbolising the burning of the past and the welcoming of a bright future. This act, known as Bhogi Mantalu, represents purification and renewal, both physical and spiritual.  Thus, it is a day of transition and transformation.

The Gobamma and the Bhogi fire dispose the negative energies and create a positive atmosphere all around.

 THE  SPIRITUAL LAYER 

Sankranthi marks the onset of Uttarayanam. In the spiritual sense, Dakshinayanam is called Sadhana pada (period of purification) and Uttarayanam is called Samadhi pada (period of enlightenment). There is increased tendency of accumulation of negative energies during Dakshinayanam (due to desires/Kama). Thus people are supposed to do Sadhana and undergo purification in those 6 months. 

After our intense sadhana for six months we will be ready to accept the liberation that will come easily to us during the next six months of Uttarayanam. Makar Sankranthi marks the beginning of that period. Thus it's not just harvest of new food, but it's harvest of newly attained knowledge/enlightenment.

THE YOGIC LAYER

In the Yogic sense, there are seven chakras or centres of great power in our system that controls all our physical, psychic and spiritual energies. They lie along the spine. 

Muladhara chakra is the spiritual centre that lies just above the anus, Swadhishtana is the one between the anus and the genitals, Manipuraka corresponds to the navel, Anahata lies next to the heart, Vishuddhi at the base of the throat and Ajna at the meeting point of the two brows. Above the top of the head is the Sahasrara chakra which is way beyond ordinary human reach.

 The three chakras from the Muladhara to the Anahata are all meant for survival. Those above the Anahata are the ones that open up our possibilities for spiritual expansion leading to enlightenment. 

In chakra language, during the period of Dakshinayanam the journey of the mind is from the Muladhara to the Anahata chakras and in Uttarayana the journey is from the Anahata to the Ajna. The Sahasrara chakra is said to connect thoughts to universal consciousness, and to foster an understanding of the interconnectedness of all things. This by activating the Heart and crown chakra, one can attain "Saubhagya" 

Thus Makar Sankranthi is a celebration of all fundamentals of our Life – the soil, animals, air, water, and people encouraging gratitude and fresh beginnings.