Travel Bucket List: India – Manipur Part 2

Posted on February 4, 2022 by memoriesandsuch

Moirang
A small town, about 45 km south of Imphal, Moirang is famous for the ancient temple of Lord Thangjing and the legendary love story of Khamba Thoibi with the clothes used by Khamba and Nogban still preserved in the village of Ngangkhaleikai. The epic story is between a beautiful princess Thoibi, daughter of King Wangon Ningthou Chingkhu Naha Telheiba and an orphan boy Khamba, who was raised by his sister when orphaned.

In ancient times, the King of Moirang was considered the most powerful among the seven clan kings of Manipur. Till the end of the Khamba-Thoibi era, the Burmese King paid the annual war reparations money to the Moirang kings. During World War II, Moirang was the headquarters of the Indian National Army (INA). Colonel Shaukat Malik of the Indian National Army hoisted the tricolour for the first time on Indian soil on 14 April 1944, in Moirang. The INA Museum at Moirang displays some wartime relics and photographs.

Since Moirang houses a serene lake and a national park, it is bound to be abundant in flora and fauna. A large number of animals and birds live here and can be spotted easily. Animals including sambar, barking deer, monkeys and Sangai deer as well as birds such as hornbills, ducks, crows and kingfishers and migratory birds can be found here.

The largest freshwater lake in the country, Loktak Lake and the Sendra Island on it, are located about 50 km from Imphal, in Moirang in the Imphal valley. Loktak which means the end stream is famous for the phumdis or the heterogeneous mass of vegetation, soil and organic matter at various stages of decomposition floating over it. The largest of all the phumdis, Sendra Island covers an area of 40 sq km and is situated on the south-eastern shore of the lake. Located on this phumdi is the Keibul Lamjao National Park, the only floating national park in the world which is the last natural refuge of the endangered Sangai, the state animal, the Manipur brow-antlered deer, one of three subspecies of Eld’s deer.

The ancient lake plays an important role in the economy of Manipur and serves as a source of water for hydropower generation, irrigation and drinking water supply as well is a source of livelihood for the rural fishermen who live in the surrounding areas and on the phumdis, also known as phumshongs. The lake was initially designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention on 23 March 1990 and also listed under the Montreux Record on 16 June 1993.

The Lake is divided into two zones, namely, the Core Zone which is the no-development zone or totally protected zone comprising 70.3 sq km and the balance area is called the Buffer Zone. Within the lake and on its periphery, there are 14 hills of varying size and elevation with the Sendra, Ithing and Thanga islands on the southern part of the lake. Geographically, in terms of biodiversity and pressure of human activities, the lake is broadly divided into northern, central and southern zones.

Thanga Island is the largest island in Loktak Lake as well as a religious destination for both Hindu and Sanamahists due to its numerous temples and sacred sites. Karang Island is the second-largest island in the lake and is famous for the Ebudhou Khuman Apokpa Temple and the Ibudhou Khumanpokpa Temple, temples of the ancestral deities of the Khuman Dynasty of Manipur. Ithing Islet is a human-inhabited islet situated on the way to Thanga Island.

The Northern Zone has five main streams or rivers flowing into the lake and is separated from the central zone by large phumdis that stretch from the northwest to the southeast. The Central Zone encloses prominent islands of Thanga, Karang and Ithing and is the main open water zone of the lake, which was relatively free from phumdis in the past, but over the years athaphums or artificially created phumdis for fishing constructed by villagers for fishing have proliferated choking the entire lake. The Southern Zone encompasses the Keibul Lamjao National Park, Ungamel and Kumbi pats at the southern part of the lake and the zone is linked with Khuga River by the Ungamel channel. Loktak Day is observed every year on the 15th of October at the periphery of the lake. The lake is open daily between 8 am to 6 pm.

The only floating national park in the world, the Keibul Lamjao National Park is a vital part of the Loktak Lake. Created in 1966 as a wildlife sanctuary to preserve the natural habitat of the endangered Eld’s deer or Cervus eldi eldi, locally known as Sangai and gazetted as a national park in 1977, it is characterised by floating decomposed plant material locally called phumdi. The brow-antlered deer, first discovered in Manipur in 1839 was reported an extinct species in 1951. It was re–discovered in the Keibul Lamjao Park area and so this area was declared a national park to protect and conserve the deer now called Eld’s deer’s subspecies brow-antlered deer. From a small herd of 14 in 1975, its population was reportedly 260 in 2016.

Covering an area of over 40 sq km, the Keibul Lamjao National Park is home to various species of plants and animals, including migratory visitors and hosts over 450 varieties of orchids and over 100 species of aquatic flora and numerous species of birds. The floating marshes or the Phumdis consist of vegetation that is about 120 cms thick.

The best time to visit Keibul Lamjao National Park is between October and March as the Lake water levels are suitable to explore the park.

It is best to visit the park from 6 to 10 am and between 3:30 and 6 pm as this is when the Sangai deer come out to feed in herds. A boat trip along the labyrinthine boat routes passing through colourful water plants would also be a good way to see the park. The park itself is open from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm and entry fees for Indians is INR 30 per person while foreigners would need to pay INR 200 per person. Camera Charges for Indians are INR 50 per person while it is INR 250 for foreigners and car park charges are INR 100 per vehicle.

Sendra Island encompasses a small hillock that is surrounded by water. Although a small hillock entangled by the lake water on all sides, it is linked to the mainland through a pathway. There is a tourist lodge on the hilltop. The serene water around the hillock and the verdant trees magnify the beauty of this place making it picturesque.

The Indian National Army Complex was once used as the unofficial headquarters of the Indian National Army. The INA Memorial Complex was built to honour the soldiers who had sacrificed their lives for the country with letters, photographs and other artefacts available here. There is a bronze statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose erected in the complex which is open from 8 am to 6 pm daily.

Moirang is also a land of temples as a lot of beautifully constructed temples with pristine aura are located here. The Pakhangba Temple, the Loktak Maru Temple, the Ibudhou Thangnarel Temple, the Oknarel Temple, the Radha Mandhop Temple and the Gopinath temple are some of the famous ones.

The Ibudhou Thangjing Temple or the Lord Thangjing Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Eputhou Thangjing, the ancient national deity of the ancient kingdom of Moirang. The best time to visit the temple is between May and July during the onset of the great mega music and dance religious festival of Lai Haraoba which attracts thousands of tourists every year especially historians and archaeologists. The temple is where the great Khamba Thoibi dance was performed for the first time according to a famous legend.

Located near the western borders of Loktak Lake, about 5 km from Moirang, Phubala has many attractions and can be combined with a trip to the lake. The two islands at Phubala has water sports activities and visitors can also enjoy picturesque views of the lake.

Tamenglong
Located about 145 km west of Imphal, Tamenglong is a hilly district covered by valleys and ranges. It lies on the hilltop from which descends the Barak River. The town is described as a biodiversity hub with a variety of exotic and rare species of birds and animals. This town is known for the oranges grown here and is home to some of the most unique plants and animals. The vibrant forest here provides a habitat for hog deers, leopards, wild dogs, hyenas, tigers and many more. The forest covers can be distinguished into three different types namely the bamboo brakes, the tropical evergreen forest and subtropical forests. Attractions include the Barak Waterfall which takes visitors through a series of seven waterfalls, the Zeilad Lake famous for many pythons, fish, water birds, large tortoises and ducks, the Buning Meadows and the Tharon Caves.

The tribal population in Tamenglong, comprises the Zeliangrong Nagas and the Kukis. Festivals celebrated in the town include the Orange Festival, the Gudui-Ngai, the Rih-Ngai or the Chaga Ngai, the Banruhmei and the Tarang. The best time to visit the town is between October and March.

The Tharon Cave is a 655.6 m long cave which can be explored with the help of the map drawn outside the cave. Also spelt as the Thaeuluan Cave, it is located about 27 km from Tamenglong. The cave has five exits and 34 joints. The Tharon Cave was once used as a shelter and excavations inside the cave have items related to the Hoabinhian culture of North Vietnam. The cave is an abode for fruit bats with about 12 caves located underneath.

Also known as N-piulong Valley, Buning Meadow is coloured with beautiful lilies and orchids making the place look stunning. The Meadow is filled with multitudes of birds and animals including Hoolock, gibbons and foxes. The summer months between March and June are the best time to visit the meadow when it is in full glory.

Situated near the Zeliadjung or Atenba village on a high platform up on the hill, the Zeilad Lake is a must-visit tourist attraction. Home to pythons, fish, tortoises and water and migratory birds, this is why the lake is a tourist favourite. Naga tales reveal that Zeilad Lake is where paddy originated. The lake has recently been declared as one of the four wildlife sanctuaries of Manipur and is also known as the Zeilad Wildlife Sanctuary. The best time to visit the lake is between October and April as the weather remains cool and pleasant.

The Barak Waterfalls are a must-visit place where seven other waterfalls are located close to each other. A local favourite to picnic, the aqua green falls and the sight of the cool water gushing from the hills to the plains is something that needs to be seen and experienced.

Thoubal
Located about 23 km south of the capital Imphal, Thoubal town’s name comes from the word Athouba meaning brave people symbolising the courageous people here. It is one of the larger towns of Manipur and has an idyllic feel to it with many lakes and rivers, paddy fields, and gardens. It is also the window to South-East Asia as the Trans-Asian highway (AH1) passes through it.

Thoubal is ideal for trekking, hiking and picnics given the abundance of the green landscape and is famous for the temples and the numerous water bodies with many lakes dotting the landscape. There is a diverse variety of trees and bamboos and plantains can be seen all around.

The main attractions include the Chinga Lairembi temple, the Tomjing Ching, the Panthoibee temple, the Thoubal bazaar, the Tangjeng ching from where one can have a bird’s eye view of the Waithou Lake and the Khangabok Menjor Garden. Thoubal also has the distinction of having the first and only subway in Manipur.

The Ikop Lake, located at an altitude of 772 m above sea level has a saucer-shaped basin and a silted bottom. The Lousi Lake spreads over an area of 18.64 sq km and features a wetland ecosystem. It is a major source of water for the locals. Pumlenpat lake is a freshwater lake and is also known as the Pumlen Pa. It spreads over an area of 19 sq km and is covered by phumdis and floating soil and vegetation, similar to the Loktak Lake. The lake is the second largest lake in Manipur after the Loktak Lake and is located about 68 km south of Imphal and about 45 km from Thoubal and plays an important role in the lives of the people nearby. There are plenty of small islands on this lake and once people started settling on these islands, the lake is now on the verge of extinction due to human encroachment.

The historically important Khongjom marks the site where Major General Paona along with his soldiers fought against the British invasion, ending in complete British control over Manipur. There is an open-air gallery in which a 78 feet long boat called the Hiyang Hiren can be viewed. Science fairs and exhibitions are also organised here.

Travel Bucket List: India – Manipur Part 1

Posted on January 31, 2022 by memoriesandsuch

Earlier this month, I finally reached India in my walk from my home in Singapore to my childhood home in Mumbai. For those who are new to this page, I am using the distance between Singapore to Mumbai as an impetus to walk my daily steps and I track these steps on a Google map. Since my first state in India is the state of Manipur, I decided to start this year with the same state.

One of India’s easternmost states, Manipur lies in Northeast India, bound by the states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west. It also borders two regions of Myanmar, the Sagaing Region to the east and the Chin State to the south. Manipur has been at the crossroads of Asian economic and cultural exchange for more than 2,500 years and has long connected the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia to Southeast Asia, China, East Asia, Siberia, Micronesia, and Polynesia, enabling the migration of people, culture and religions. Manipur’s state bird is the Nongin, its state flower is the Siroi Lily and the Phoebe hainesiana or Uningthou, which is native to the state is a state tree.

The word Manipur is made up of two Sanskrit words Maṇi, which means jewel and Purǝ, which means land or place and so Manipur is translated as the jewelled land. Manipur is mentioned in historic texts as Kangleipak or Meeteileipak. The name Manipur was adopted in the 18th century by officials during the reign of Meidingu Pamheiba. Neighbouring cultures each had differing names for Manipur and its people. The Shan or Pong called the area Cassay, the Burmese called it Kathe and the Assamese called it Meklee. In the first treaty between the British East India Company and Meidingu Chingthangkhomba or Bhagyachandra, signed in 1762, the kingdom was referred to as Meckley. Bhagyachandra and his successors issued coins engraved with Manipureshwar or Lord of Manipur, and the British discarded the name Meckley. The term Kanglei, the meaning of Manipur or Kangleipak, is used to refer to items associated with the state while the term Manipuri is a recently given name. The Meitei ethnic group represents around 53% of the population of Manipur, followed by various Naga tribes at 24% and various Kuki-Zo tribes at 16%. Meiteilon or Manipuri is the state’s official language and tribals constitute about 41% of the state population.

The history of Manipur Meities is chronicled in the Puyas or Puwaris which are stories about the forefathers in the archaic Meitei script, comparable to the Thai script. By the medieval period, marriage alliances between royal families of the Manipur kingdom, the Ahom kingdom of Assam and Burma had become common. Medieval era Manipur manuscripts discovered in the 20th century, particularly the Puya, provide evidence that Hindus from the Indian subcontinent had married Manipur royalty by at least the 14th century. Another manuscript suggests that Muslims arrived in Manipur in the 17th century, from what is now Bangladesh, during the reign of Meidingu Khagemba. Ancient Manipuri mythology is indigenous to the kingdom and is also related to the local religion or Sanamahism, which includes thousands of Gods and Goddesses.

In 1891, after the defeat of the Meiteis by the British in the Anglo-Manipuri war of Khongjom, the sovereignty of Manipur which it had maintained for more than three millenniums, was lost. In 1926, it became a part of the Pakokku Hill Tracts districts of British Burma until 4 January 1947. During the British colonial rule, Manipur was a princely state with the people of Manipur pressing for democracy between 1917 and 1939. By the late 1930s, the state of Manipur negotiated with the British administration its preference to continue to be part of India, rather than become part of Burma, which was being separated from India. These negotiations were cut short with the outbreak of World War II in 1939 and on 11 August 1947, Maharaja Budhachandra, the King of Manipur signed an Instrument of Accession, joining the Indian Union and on 21 September 1949, he signed a merger agreement, merging the kingdom into India. During World War II, Manipur was the scene of many fierce battles between the Japanese invaders and the British Indian forces. The Japanese were beaten back before they could enter Imphal and this was one of the turning points of the overall war in South Asia. Manipur’s merger with India was later disputed by groups in Manipur, as having been completed without consensus and under duress and has resulted in a 50-year insurgency in the state for independence from India, as well as in repeated episodes of violence among ethnic groups in the state.

Imphal, the state’s capital lies in an oval-shaped valley surrounded by blue mountains, at an elevation of 790 metres above sea level with the slope of the valley from north to south. The mountain ranges create a moderated climate, preventing the cold winds from the north from reaching the valley and barring cyclonic storms. The state has four major river basins: the Barak River Basin or the Barak Valley to the west, the Manipur River Basin in central Manipur, the Yu River Basin in the east, and a portion of the Lanye River Basin in the north. Manipur may be characterised as two distinct physical regions: an outlying area of rugged hills and narrow valleys, and the inner area of flat plain, with all associated landforms with both areas distinct in physical features and conspicuous in flora and fauna. The tourist season in the state is from October to February when it is often sunny without being hot and humid.

The Manipuri dance is also known as Jagoi and is one of the major Indian classical dance forms, named after the state of Manipur. It is particularly known for its Hindu Vaishnavism themes, and exquisite performances of the love-inspired dance drama of Radha-Krishna called Raslila. However, the dance is also performed to themes related to Shaivism, Shaktism and regional deities such as Umang Lai during Lai Haraoba. The roots of Manipur dance, as with all classical Indian dances, is the ancient Hindu Sanskrit text Natya Shastra, but with influences from the culture fusion between India and Southeast Asia, East Asia, Siberia, Micronesia and Polynesia.

Imphal
Manipur’s capital Imphal was initially ruled by Kin Khaba and then ruled by the Pakhangba leaders when the Ningthouja tribe originated. The Ningthouja tribe quickly expanded and dominated the region in politics and war. The Kangla Palace was built by King Khagemba and his son Khunjaoba and was later destroyed by the British during the Anglo-Manipur War. During the reign of Maharaja Bhagyachandra, there were several Burmese invasions. However, the kingdom survived with the help of Maharaj Gambhir Singh.

Imphal remained peaceful until 1891 when internal differences in the royal family resulted in the 1891 Anglo-Manipur War, which the British won. The Battle of Imphal took place between March and July 1944, during World War II between the Japanese and Allied forces when the Japanese invaded Imphal to destroy the Allied forces and then invade India. But they were defeated and forced to retreat and the attack made the British realise the militarily strategic position of Imphal.

Also known as the Kangla Fort, the Kangla Palace is an old palace situated today on the west bank of the Imphal river and served as the royal palace of the former Manipur Kingdom and King Pakhangba. Originally located on both the banks of the river, today it is located in the centre of Imphal and the ruins of the palace are surrounded by a moat. Kangla which means dry land in old Meetei was the traditional seat of the Meetei rulers of Manipur. The fort is one of the oldest existing forts in the world, with its earliest record of existence dating back to 1445 BC.

One of the holiest places for the Manipuris, Kangla is a pilgrimage centre and it is believed that Lord Pakhangba resides under Kangla and ruled the Kingdom of Manipur as well as the universe. It is also believed that there are 360 important holy and sacred places in Kangla, some of which include the Nungjeng Pukhri, a sacred pond believed to be the abode of Lord Pakhangba located to the north-west of the Uttra where religious rituals are performed. Nunggoibi is another sacred place of worship of the Goddess of War and is where the Huyein Lalu Chanba ritual was performed whenever a King emerged victorious in battle. Manglen is where all the Kings of Manipur are cremated and is believed to have been developed by Maharaj Garibaniwaz in 1738. The Kangla Men Surung is where the kings performed their coronation ceremony and it is believed that the King’s ability to rule would depend on the results of the ceremony. Located to the south-eastern corner is the Wangbaren where ceremonies in connection with flood and natural calamities were performed.

Amongst the various ruins in the Kangla are the ruins of the citadel built-in 1611 during the reign of King Khagemba. The citadel enclosure had three entrances, two on the western side and one on the southern side. The Uttra was the ancestral coronation hall of the kings which also housed the coronation hall and was destroyed during the Second World War. Two huge Kangla Sha or dragons made of brick used to stand in front of the Uttra but just beyond the flight of steps leading to the Uttra on either side of the path leading to the Uttra. The dragon was the emblem of the Meiteis and was originally said to be erected by the Chinese war captives. The Kangla Sha were blown to pieces by the British after their occupation of the fort in 1891. The fort has been open to the public since 2003. Bihu Loukon is an ancient star-shaped mud fort situated in Maklang.

Langthabal, located about 9 km south of Imphal is most famous for its magnificent temples and historical monuments. Situated tall on a hill Langthabal is popularly known for the relics of the historical palace, traditional dwellings and architecturally complex and accomplished temples of importance. The place was created as a corridor surrounded by symmetric jackfruit and pine plantations. The hill overlooks the Manipur University campus which presents a mesmerizing view of the surroundings. The historic Langthabal Palace which was a listed monument does not seem like a protected area, instead, it has become a vast dumping ground. The Memorial site of Maharaj Gambhir Singh at Langthabal located at Manipur University campus was once the Royal Palace during the reign of Maharaj Gambhir Singh, the then Maharaja of Manipur. The complex also includes the Memorial House or Meetei Yumjao symbolising the shrine of the king.

The Ima Keithel or the Mother’s Market or Nupi Keithel or the Women’s Market is a market run exclusively by women. A popular tourist attraction, over the years, it has shifted its location within the city and is currently located in Khawairaband Bazaar. The market was established in the 16th century, following the imposition of the labour system, lallup-kaba in 1533 and hosts around 5,000 to 6,000 women vendors who sell a variety of products such as vegetables, fruits, textiles, toys fish, spices and utensils and is the largest all-women market in Asia. Lallup-kaba was a forced labour system in Manipur that required male members of the Meitei community to work in distant lands or to serve in the army and as a result of which, women had to support their households by cultivating their fields or weaving textiles and then selling the products on improvised markets which then led to the formation of the organized Ima Keithel. The Hapta Kangjeibung is the world’s oldest polo ground and is also the main venue of Manipur’s Sangai festival which takes place between 21 and 30 November annually.

The highest mud dam in the world, the Singda Dam is located 16 km from Imphal and is a popular picnic spot, with its scenic views, and relative calm. A multipurpose project constructed on the Singda river in Kangchup, it is one of the highest earthen dams in India. The dam is 490 m in length and 60 m in height and provides drinking water and irrigation to the greater Imphal area.

Situated near the royal palace, the Shri Govindji Temple is one of the major temples in the state constructed in the Nagara style of architecture. The largest Hindu Vaishnavite temple in the state, it is dedicated to Shree Govindajee or Lord Krishna along with various other Gods and Goddesses. The temple is also where the classic Manipuri form of dance style was first performed, dedicated to Shri Govindajee. Within the complex, the temple of Shree or Shree Govindajee was originally built in 1846, during the reign of Maharaj Nara Singh. It was severely damaged in the earthquake of 1868 with the idols of Radha Govinda damaged when parts of the temple collapsed. The temple was reconstructed by Maharaj Chandrakriti with two domes and a raised congregation hall.

The Sanamahi Temple or the Sanamahi Sanglen is a temple dedicated to Lord Lainingthou Sanamahi, the supreme deity of Sanamahism. It is located in the Sanakhwa Yaima Kollup near the Kangla Palace and is one of the oldest temples in Asia. It is often confused with the Sanamahi Kiyong Temple, situated on the hilltop of the Nongmaiching Hill and is one of the largest Kanglei temples in the state. It was reconstructed during the reign of King Kulachandra Singh in 1891 and is built in a Gothic style of architecture with a flying advance on the southern side and raised in an octagonal base. Today, the temple is located on the grounds of the 1st Manipur Rifles. The temple is a major tourist attraction as well as a religious destination of the followers of Sanamahism, including the Meitei, Kabui, Bishnupriya Manipuri people and Zeliangrong people.

The Shri Radha Raman Temple is situated at Kanchipur The Gopinath Mandir is the second-largest Hindu temple in Manipur and is also a grand premise for the performance of the great Manipuri dance, dedicated to Shri Gopinath. The Hiyangthang Lairembi Temple Complex is noted for its annual Durga Puja festival in September or October.

The 11 m tall Shaheed Minar is situated in the centre of the Bir Tirkendrajit Park and is a memorial for those who died against the British while fighting in the Meitei Revolt of 1891. The Imphal War Cemetery with over 1600 graves of those who died fighting World War II is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission is located in Dewlahland, 10 km away from Imphal International Airport. Red Hill or Maibam Lokpa Ching is a hillock and a memorial site of the World War II Battle of Imphal. It was here that a war took place between the Allied and Japanese troops. The Japan War Memorial Complex is also present in the foothills, constructed by the Government of Japan.

Specialised in the preservation and breeding of rare species, the Manipur Zoological Gardens, with its lush greenery and calm atmosphere is surrounded by hills and was established in 1976. The Manipur State Museum was set up in 1969 and caters to various categories of artefacts such as ethnology, archaeology, natural history and painting. It showcases articles owned by the Manipuri rulers.

Known as the lungs of the Imphal Valley, the Langol Reserved Forest is known for its wide-stretching area spanning in the Imphal valley. It is also famous for the sacred groves preserved since ancient times. The Langol Lairembi Temple and the Langol Ningthou Temple are sacred sites for those who follow the Sanamahi Faith.

In My Hands Today…

Posted on January 25, 2022 by memoriesandsuch

Half Lion: How P.V. Narasimha Rao Transformed India – Vinay Sitapati

When P.V. Narasimha Rao became the unlikely prime minister of India in 1991, he inherited a nation adrift, violent insurgencies, and economic crisis. Despite being unloved by his people, mistrusted by his party, and ruling under the shadow of 10 Janpath, Rao transformed the economy and ushered India into the global arena.

With exclusive access to Rao’s never-before-seen personal papers and diaries, this definitive biography provides new revelations on the Indian economy, nuclear programme, foreign policy and the Babri Masjid. Tracing his early life from a small town in Telangana through his years in power, and finally, his humiliation in retirement, it never loses sight of the inner man, his difficult childhood, his corruption and love affairs, and his lingering loneliness. Meticulously researched and brutally honest, this landmark political biography is a must-read for anyone interested in knowing about the man responsible for transforming India.

Festivals of India: Makar Sankranti

Posted on January 14, 2022 by memoriesandsuch

A harvest festival celebrated across India and the subcontinent, Makar Sankranti, Uttarayan, Maghi, or just Sankranti, which is celebrated today is also known as Poush Sankranti in Bangladesh or Tirmoori in Pakistan, is a harvest festival day, dedicated to the Sun God Lord Surya. It is observed each year the day the Sun enters the zodiac sign Capricorn, which corresponds to January as per the Gregorian calendar and marks the first day of the sun’s transit into the Makara Rashi or Capricorn.

It is celebrated on either 14 or 15 January due to the addition of the extra day in leap years. The festival, which is a harvest festival is celebrated with colourful decorations, children singing and asking for treats, fairs, dances, kite flying, bonfires and feasts. Some go to sacred rivers and lakes and bathe in a ceremony of thanks to the sun and every twelve years, the Kumbh Mela, the largest mass pilgrimage festivity is observed in conjunction with Makar Sankranti. Here, devotees pray to the Sun God and bathe at the confluence of the Rivers Ganga and Yamuna, known as the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, a tradition attributed to Adi Shankaracharya.

Makar Sankranti is known by various names across the country. It is known as Magh Bihu in Assam, Maghi, in Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, Sukarat in central India, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Uttarayan in Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, Ghughuti in Uttarakhand, Makara Sankranti in Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, West Bengal where it is also known as Poush Sankranti, and as Sankranthi in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Outside of India, it is known as Maghe Sankranti in Nepal and Tirmoori in Pakistan.

Makar Sankranti is set by the solar cycle and corresponds to the exact time when the sun enters the sign of Capricorn and usually falls on 14 January or 15 January during a leap year according to the Gregorian calendar.

Makar Sankranti is dedicated to the Sun God, Surya whose significance is traceable to the Vedic texts, particularly the Gayatri Mantra, a sacred hymn found in the Rigveda. It marks the termination of the winter season and the beginning of a new harvest season. From this day, the sun begins its northward journey or Uttarayan or the northern hemisphere and so the festival is also known as Uttarayan.

As per legend, Sankranti killed a devil named Sankarasur and so the day after Makar Sankrant is called Karidin or Kinkrant. On this day, she slew the devil Kinkarasur. As per another legend, the Sun God, Lord Surya forgave his son Shani who visited him on Sankranti. And that’s why people distribute sweets and urge everyone to let go of any negative or angry feelings. On this day people take a holy dip in rivers, especially the Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri because bathing in the rivers on this day is believed to result in merit or absolution of past sins. The Sun God is also prayed to and thanked for successes and prosperity. For most parts of India, this period is a part of the early stages of the Rabi crop and agricultural cycle, where crops have been sown and the hard work in the fields is mostly over. The time thus signifies a period of socialising and families enjoying each other’s company, taking care of the cattle, and celebrating around bonfires. On Makar Sankranti, people wear black which is otherwise a huge no-no on other festival days. As Sakranti falls in the winter months, wearing black adds to body warmth which is the reason for the colour.

In Assam, Makar Sankranti is known as Magh Bihu and the festival is marked by feasts and bonfires. Young people erect makeshift huts, known as Meji and Bhelaghar, from bamboo, leaves, and thatch, and in Bhelaghar they eat the food prepared for the feast and then burn the huts the next morning. celebrations also feature traditional Assamese games such as tekeli bhonga or pot-breaking and buffalo fighting. In Goa, people distribute sweets in the form of granules of sugar-coated sesame seeds among family members and friends and newly married women offer five sunghat or small clay pots filled with newly harvested grains, betel leaves areca nuts and tied with black beaded threads tied around them, to the deity. Uttarayan, as Makar Sankranti is called in Gujarati, is a major festival that lasts for two days. Kites made of special light-weight paper are flown and the festival is eagerly awaited.

In Haryana and Delhi, the festival is celebrated similarly to Western UP and the border areas of Rajasthan and Punjab. This includes ritual purification by taking a holy dip in rivers with sweets like kheer, churma, halwa and distributing a sesame and jaggery sweet called til-gud. Brothers of a married woman visit her home with a gift pack, called Sindhara or Sidha with gifts of clothing for her and her family. In Jammu, it is celebrated as Uttrain and is celebrated a day before Lohri by the Dogra community to commemorate the end of the Poh or Pausha month. Among the Dogras, there is a tradition of Mansana or charity of Khichdi of Maah Dal and that is why this day is also referred to as Khichdi wala Parva. There is also a tradition of sending Khichdi & other food items to house of married daughters and fairs are organised in holy places and pilgrimages are taken. In Karnataka, it is celebrated as Suggi and on this day, girls wear new clothes to visit near and dear ones with the Sankranti offering on a plate and exchange the same with other families in a ritual called Ellu Birodhu. The festival signifies the harvest of the season since sugarcane is predominant in these parts. Gifts are exchanged by women and newly married women give away bananas for five years to married women from the first year of their marriage. Kite flying, drawing rangolis, giving away red berries known as Yalchi kai are some of the intrinsic parts of the festival. In rural Karnataka, a display of decorated cows and bulls and their procession is done and they are also made to cross a flame and this custom is known as Kichchu Haayisuvudu. In Maharashtra, on Makar Sankranti day people exchange multicolored halwa and sweetmeats made from sesame seeds and jaggery known as til-gul laadoo. Married women invite friends and family and celebrate with guests given til-gul and some small gift, as a part of the ritual and women make it a point to wear black clothes on this day.

In Odisha, on the day of the festival, people prepare makara chaula and along with uncooked newly harvested rice, banana, coconut, jaggery, sesame, rasagola, Khai/Liaa and chhena puddings offer It to the Gods and Godesses. The Sun God at the Konark Sun Temple is worshipped with many starting the day with a ritual bath while fasting. In Puri special rituals are carried out at the temple of Lord Jagannath. In Punjab, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Maghi which is a religious and cultural festival. Bathing in a river in the early hours on Maghi is important with Hindus light lamps with sesame oil as this is supposed to give prosperity and drive away all sins. A major fair is held at the Sri Muktsar Sahib on Maghi which commemorates a historical event in Sikh history. In Rajasthan and Western Madhya Pradesh, the day is celebrated with special Rajasthani delicacies and sweets. Women in this region observe a ritual in which they give a gift to 13 married women. The first Sankranti experienced by a married woman is of significance as she is invited by her parents and brothers to their houses with her husband for a big feast. Kite flying is traditionally observed as a part of this festival.

In Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as the four-day festival of Pongal with day one celebrated as Bhogi Pongal, day two as Thai Pongal, day three as Maattu Pongal and day four as Kaanum Pongal. On Maattu Pongal, many villages in the state will have a Jallikattu, or taming the bull, contest, which is an ancient Pongal tradition. In Uttar Pradesh, the festival is known as Kicheri and involves ritual bathing. Over two million people gather at their respective sacred places for this holy bathing such as Allahabad and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. In Uttarakhand, Makar Sankranti is known by various names in the different parts of the state. In the Kumaon region the festival is known as Ghughuti, Ghughuti Tyar, Ghughutia, Kale Kauva or Uttarayani with the famous Uttarayani fair held in Bageshwar town. During the fair, people bathe before daybreak at the confluence of the Saryu and Gomati rivers, followed by an offering of water to Lord Shiva inside the Bagnath Temple. Those who are more religiously disposed of, continue this practice for three days in succession, which is known as Trimaghi. On this day, people also give khichdi, a dish made by mixing pulses and rice in charity, take ceremonial dips in holy rivers, participate in Uttarayani fairs and offer deep-fried sweetmeats consisting of flour and jaggery to crows and other birds as a way to pay homage to the departed souls of their ancestors. In West Bengal, Sankranti is also known as Poush Sankranti. The freshly harvested paddy and the date palm syrup in the form of Khejurer Gur is used in the preparation of a variety of traditional Bengali sweets made with rice flour, coconut, milk and khejurer gur or date palm jaggery and known as Pitha. Goddess Lakshmi is usually worshipped on the day of Sankranti. In Darjeeling, the festival is as known as Magey Sakrati and is associated with the worship of Lord Shiva.

The Hindu Sindhi community in western regions of India and southeastern parts of Pakistan, celebrate Makar Sankranti as Tirmoori. On this day, parents send sweet dishes and ladoos and chiki or Laaee made of sesame seeds to their married daughters. In Bangladesh, Makar Sankranti is known as Shakrain and is observed with the flying of kites. In Nepal, Maghe Sankranti as it is known in the country, is celebrated as the new year and is a major festival of the Magar community. Observant Hindus take ritual baths during this festival and the oldest female in each household wishes good health to all family members.

So here’s wishing you a very Happy Makar Sankranti with a greeting from my home state of Maharastra which goes like this: “Til gud ghya, god god bola” which means eat the sweet made from sesame and jaggery, say good and positive thoughts and words and leave all the bitterness and negativity of the past behind.

Festivals of India: Vaikuntha Ekadashi

Posted on January 12, 2022 by memoriesandsuch

One of those festivals which are rarely celebrated by many, Vaikuntha Ekadashi, which coincides with the Moksada or Putrada Ekadashi is a special Ekadashi that comes mostly once a year, but sometimes twice and is generally associated with Shukla Paksha or the 11th lunar day of the Margashirsha month in the Lunar calendar corresponding to the Dhanur month in the Solar calendar sometime between 16 December of the current year and ending on 13 January of the next year. Vaikuntha, which is paradise, is where there is no lack, or shortage; only abundance.

Ēkadashi which means the eleventh is the eleventh lunar day or tithi of each of the two lunar phases which occur in a Vedic calendar month, the Shukla Pakṣha or the period of the brightening moon also known as the waxing phase and the Kṛiṣhṇa Pakṣha or the period of the fading moon also known as the waning phase, according to the Vedic medical texts of Ayurveda and is mentioned in detail in many original treatises such as the Charaka Samhita and the Susruta Samhita.

In Hinduism or Sanatan Dharma, Ekadashi holds great importance. A favourite tithi of Lord Krishna, his devotees observe upavas or fasts to be closer to him. In Nepal and India, the day is considered a day to cleanse the body, aid repair and rejuvenation and is usually observed by a partial or complete fast. High protein and carbohydrate-containing foods such as beans and grains are not consumed during the fast as it is a day to cleanse the body, instead, only fruits, vegetables and milk products are eaten. This period of abstinence starts from sunrise on the day of the Ekadashi to sunrise of the following day with rice is not eaten at all during this 24-hour period.

Followers of Lord Vishnu or the Vaishnava believe that the gates to the Lord’s inner sanctum or the Vaikunta Dwaram is opened on this day with the Margashirsha Shukla Paksha Ekadashi in the Lunar calendar known as a Mokshada Ekadashi. Vishnu temples all across the world offer special prayers, yagnas, discourses and speeches. Those who follow Lord Shiva or the Shaiva sect observe the day as Trikoti Ekadashi, a day where all the deities in the Hindu pantheon pay obeisance to Lord Shiva at the same time.

According to the Vishnu Purana, fasting on Vaikuntha Ekadashi is equivalent to fasting on the remaining 23 Ekadashis of the year. However, according to the Vaishnava tradition, fasting is mandatory on all Ekadashis of both the Shukla and Krishna pakshas with fasting on an Ekadashi holier than any other religious observation. Because complete fasting has to be observed on Ekadashi, the meal on the Dwadashi or the 12th day is designed to be wholesome, nutritious, and filling. When observed, it is said to bestow liberation from the cycle of birth and death. On this day, the Vaikuntha Dwaram or the Vaikuntha Vaasal, the Gates of Vaikunta are believed to be kept open. The area encircling the sanctum is referred to as the Vaikuntha Vaasal and devotees throng this doorway to gain entry into the temple, to seek Lord Vishnu.

Legend says that Lord Vishnu opened the gate of his home, Vaikuntham, for two asuras or demons in spite of them being against him. They also asked for the boon that whoever listens to their story and sees the image of Lord Vishnu coming out of the door called Vaikunth Dwar, will reach Vaikunth as well. This is why temples all over India make a door kind of structure on this day for devotees to walk through.

According to the Padma Purana, the Devas, unable to bear the tyranny of Muran, a demon, approached Lord Shiva, who directed them to Lord Vishnu. A battle took place between Lord Vishnu and the demon and Lord Vishnu realised that a new weapon was needed to slay Muran. In order to take a rest and create a new weapon, Lord Vishnu retired to a cave for the Goddess named Haimavati in Badarikashrama. When Muran tried to slay Lord Vishnu, who was sleeping, the female power that emerged from him burned Muran to ashes with her glance. Lord Vishnu, who was pleased, named the goddess Ekadashi and asked her to claim a boon. Ekadashi, instead, beseeched Vishnu that people who observed a fast on that day should be redeemed of their sins and Lord Vishnu thus declared that people who observed a fast on that day and worshipped Ekadashi, would attain Vaikuntha. Thus, came into being the first Ekadashi, which was a Dhanurmasa Shukla Paksha Ekadashi.

The demon Muran stands for the Rajasic and Tamasic qualities in people, attributed to lust, passion, inertia and arrogance. When one conquers these tendencies, one attains the purity of mind or Satva which is indispensable for the attaining of moksha, the liberation or the realisation of the self. For realizing the self as pure awareness, purity of mind is required and fasting helps to keep at bay the tendencies that could be triggered by intake of certain foods. Keeping vigil in the night is symbolic of awareness, or being watchful of the contents of the mind. When the mind is looked at, it becomes still. To abide in the stillness is to attain freedom or peace, acquired through the merging of the mind with the self. This is symbolic of the mind automatically being absorbed in the sight of Vishnu after the arduous fast and vigil. The belief that rice is prohibited, because Muran dwells in it, symbolically signifies that the eating of rice makes one feel heavy and hampers the vigil. This signifies that entertaining negative tendencies could hamper one’s progress towards awareness or consciousness. Observance of the rituals on this auspicious day even without understanding their importance is beneficial. Hence the merit accrued through observing them with piety is believed to be immeasurable. In the Mahabharata, the conversation between Krishna and Arjuna at the beginning of the Kurukshetra War about the Bhagavad Gita is said to have occurred on this day.

At the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, the Srirangam Vaikuntha Ekadashi celebrations last 20 days, divided into two parts, the Pagal Pathu or the morning part lasting ten days and the Ira Pathu or the night part comprising the other ten days. Lord Vishnu as Lord Ranganatha Moolavar will bless devotees in Muthangi or armour of Pearls on all 20 days. On the 10th day of Pagal Pathu, which is the day before Vaikuntha Ekadashi, the Utsavar Namperumal will bless devotees in the Mohini Alankaram. Very early on Vaikuntha Ekadashi, the Utsavar Namperumal will bless devotees in the armour of diamonds and gems and is brought to the Thousand-Pillared Hall from the sanctum sanctorum through the northern gate known as the Paramapada Vasal, the gate to Vaikuntha. This gate is opened once a year, only on the Vaikuntha Ekadashi day. It is said that anyone who goes through the Paramapada Vasal will reach Vaikuntha. On the 8th day of Ira Pathu, the Namperumal will bless devotees in a Golden Horse Vahanam in the evening & the Thirumangai Mannan Vedupari Ritual will be held.

At the seven hills of Tirupati, the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple also has a similar concept to celebrate Mukkoti Ekadashi, as it is known in the region. Tirumala has a special entrance called Vaikuntha Dwaram that encircles the sanctum sanctorum. The dwaram or passage is opened only on Vaikuntha Ekadashi and it is believed that any person who passes through this Vaikuntha Dwaram on this particular day attains salvation. The temple witnesses a heavy inflow of pilgrims and dignitaries for Vaikuntha Ekadashi and all Arjitha sevas are cancelled on this day and only the Sarva Darshanam is allowed on Vaikunta Ekadashi.

On the auspicious day of Vaikuntha Ekadashi, which falls tomorrow, chant the Lord’s name, visit the temple and try and enter the Vaikuntha Dwar at a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and keep a fast if that is possible.

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