Sankranthi is the time when the Sun changes position from one rashi to another. This day is also celebrated as Vishwakarma Jayanti. All the twelve Sankrantis in the year are highly auspicious for almsgiving and charity purposes. In Orissa and West Bengal, Biswakarma Puja is the main ritual on Kanya Sankranti. The festival signifies the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the harvest season. It is a time of good fortune and prosperity.
Vishwakarma Jayanti is celebrated on the birthday of Lord Vishwakarma, a deity who is considered as the divine Engineer. He is also known as the The Architect of Gods or Devashilpi. As per the Georgian calendar, the festival is largely celebrated in September. Lord Vishwakarma is considered as the symbol of excellence and quality. According to Hindu methodology, Lord Vishwakarma architected the whole world according to the directions of Lord Brahma, the lord of creation. He constructed the holy city of Dwarka where Lord Krishna rules the Maya Sabha of the Pandavas and many marvelous weapons for the Gods.
Celebrations of Kanya Sankranti - Vishwakarma Puja
This festival is celebrated in factories, industries, shops, and colleges and people worship Lord Vishwakarma along with their respective instruments. Along with the engineering and architectural community, Lord Vishwakarma is also worshiped by professionals such as craftsmen, welders, smiths, artisans and factory workers. The workshops, warehouses, and even the small cottage industries are cleaned out and the puja is performed amidst chanting of the mantras by the priests. The devotees worship him for their progress and a better future. By worshiping with sheer dedication, the devotees seek blessings for their safety at work. On this day, no work is done in the industries or factories. Workers also pray for the smooth functioning of their machines.Traditional recipes are utilized to prepare the Vishwakarma lunch. Devotees organize feasts in organizations and temples. The food offered during the puja is distributed as a prasad (holy offering) to the people who visit the pandals. The prasad mainly consists of sliced fruits with a few sweets thrown in. The lunch and other meals prepared according to the traditional Vishwakarma puja recipes are shared with colleagues and friends. The main food cooked at the Vishwakarma day includes naivedya, fruits, khichdi, kheer, mutton, boondi and ladoos.
Since every man is known by the work he does to earn his living, he needs to respect and worship his work and worship the one who made him able to complete that work with all those great tools and weapons. It is because of those tools he can produce quality and quantity of his products and services. Lord Vishwakarma is considered the whole and sole of artistry, craftsmanship, carpentry, engineering and more.
Here’s a detailed look at how Kanya Sankranti is celebrated across different regions:
1. Gujarat: Kite Flying Festival- Kite Flying: One of the most prominent features of Kanya Sankranti in Gujarat is the "Uttarayan" festival, where people fly kites from rooftops and open fields. This activity is a major highlight of the day, with individuals and families participating in friendly kite-flying competitions.
- Festive Foods: Traditional foods like undhiyu (a mixed vegetable dish), khichdi (a savory rice and lentil dish), and gathiya (crisp snacks) are prepared and enjoyed. Special sweets like chikki (sesame seed and jaggery confection) are also popular.
- Cultural Events: Various cultural programs, including music and dance performances, are organized.
- Charitable Acts: In Maharashtra, Kanya Sankranti is marked by acts of charity. People give donations of food, clothes, and other necessities to the poor and needy.
- Feasting: Traditional dishes like tilgul (a sweet made of sesame seeds and jaggery), puran poli (a sweet flatbread), and chiki are prepared. Families and friends gather to share these festive treats.
- Pooja: A special pooja is performed to seek blessings from the deities, and people often visit temples for rituals.
- Pooja and Rituals: Devotees perform special prayers and rituals dedicated to the goddess Saraswati and other deities. It is a day for seeking spiritual growth and wisdom.
- Festive Meals: A variety of traditional sweets and dishes are prepared, including khichdi, pitha (rice cakes), and other regional delicacies.
- Community Gatherings: People participate in community events and social gatherings to celebrate the occasion.
- Rituals: In southern states, the festival is observed with rituals at temples and homes. Offerings of fruits, flowers, and sweets are made to deities.
- Festive Foods: Traditional foods like puliyodarai (tamarind rice), sakkarai pongal (sweet rice pudding), and other festive dishes are enjoyed.
- Local Celebrations: In some areas, there are local fairs and cultural performances.
- Spiritual Observances: People visit gurdwaras (Sikh temples) and participate in prayers and kirtans (spiritual hymns).
- Harvest Festival: Kanya Sankranti is celebrated as a harvest festival, where people express gratitude for the agricultural produce.
- Community Meals: Special meals and sweets are prepared, and there are often community gatherings and celebrations.
- Rituals: People perform rituals at home and in temples, offering sweets and other items to deities.
- Festive Foods: Traditional foods like pithe (rice cakes) and sweets made of jaggery and sesame seeds are enjoyed.
- Cultural Programs: Local fairs and cultural events are organized in some areas.
- Spiritual Reflection: Many regions emphasize spiritual growth and the seeking of blessings during Kanya Sankranti.
- Community Involvement: The festival fosters community bonding through shared meals, cultural activities, and charitable acts.
- Traditional Foods: Preparing and sharing traditional foods is a significant part of the celebration.
विश्वकर्मा भगवान और कन्या संक्रांति पर हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिये क्लिक करें