The Jai Jais Blog

Let’s Celebrate the Makar Sankranti

by Sunita Shah

Makar Sankranti is known as the ‘Kite Flying Festival’, it falls on the 14th January every year. It is a very auspicious day. It is dedicated to the Lord of the Sun. To Hindus, the sun stands for knowledge, spiritual light and wisdom. It refers to a specific solar day in the Hindu calendar. On this day, the sun enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn or ‘Makar’ which marks the end of winter month and start of longer days. On Makar Sankranti, the sun begins its journey northward.

Although this harvest festival is celebrated on the same day across the India, it is celebrated in different regions, with different traditions that highlight the rich and vibrant cultural of each place. Find out more in our blog.

Let us keep our kite soaring higher and higher through our positive thoughts, actions and attitude. Makar Sankranti signifies that we should turn away from the darkness, and begin to let the light within us shine bright. We should grow in purity, wisdom and knowledge just as the sun does from this day. Sun stands for all ideals; its message is that of light, unity, equality and true selflessness.

Find out more about the festival, The Jai Jais Way.

Happy Kite Flying

Festivals Kite Flying Maghii Mahabihu Makarsankranti Pongal Uttarayan

What is Lohri?

by Sunita Shah

Lohri is celebrated on the 13^th January each year. The Punjabi festival of Lohri marks the end of winter and is traditionally associated with harvest of the Rabi crop. All the farmers get together in order to thank god for giving them such a wonderful harvest. The day after Lohri is “Maghi” the Punjabi farmers financial New Year.

The rituals related to Lohri symbolise the attachment of the people with Mother Nature. The period between January 13 and July 14 is considered prosperous by Hindus. According to the Bhagawad Gita, Krishna manifests himself 'in his full magnificence' during this time. It has been also told that Holika and Lohri were sisters. While the former perished in the Holi fire, the latter survived with Prahlad, the story of Holi.

So what is Lohri and how is it celebrated?

Bonfire Festivals Harvest Lohri Punjabi The Holy Fire