Magh Mela…Holy Dips in Sangam on Makar Sankranti

In India, most of the festivals and holy fairs (melas) are celebrated in accordance with the traditional Hindu calendar. One such religious affair, organized at the time of Makar Sankranti in January, is Magh Mela, also known as Mini Kumbh Mela. This year, as per the traditional Hindu calendar, the Magh Mela 2012 starts from January 9 and ends on February 20, 2012.

Magh Mela, one of the greatest annual religious fairs for Hindus, is organized every year during the month of Magh; hence the name. The Magh month as per the Georgian Calendar, corresponds to the duration of around one month, which is from mid January to mid February. The Hindu Mythology considers the origin of Magh Mela as the beginning of the Universe.

Every year, this Mela is held on the banks of Triveni Sangam (divine confluence of three holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati), in Prayag near Allahabad in North India state of Uttar Pradesh. During the Magh Mela, Devotees throng this holy place to perform religious activities as well as to take holy dip in Sangam on auspicious dates. Magh Mela is not confined only to the month of Magh but also the important bathing dates are spread over a period of nearly 45 days. This year, the first bathing date is on the occasion of Paush Purnima, which is January 9, 2012. The other auspicious bathing dates are 14th January (Maker Sankranti), 19th January (Shattil Ekadashi), 23rd January (Mauni Amavasya), 28th January (Basant Panchami), 30th January (Achala Saptami or Rath Saptami), 7th February (Maghi Purnima) and 20th February (Maha Shivratri). The closing day of the Mela as considered by the Mela Administration, in on the last bathing day, i.e., on a holy day of Maha Shivratri.

During Magh Mela, lots of people from far and nearby places come to this place and stay in temporarily made houses or tents at the Sangam and spend the entire month of Magh in prayers, known as "Kalpvas". And these people are called as “Kalpvasi”.

"Kalp", as per the ancient Hindu Vedas, relates to be the time equal to the total number of years in the four Yugas - Satyug, Tretayug, Dwaparyug and Kalyug which adds up to several millions of years. It is believed that by accomplishing a "Kalpvas", a devotee can overcome their past sinful activities and can live a disease free life ahead. In Kalpvas, Kalpvasis has to take a dip at the Ganges and pray to the rising sun. Sometimes Kalpvasis take meals only for single time in a day. It is said that a Kalpvasi has to do "Shayya Daan" which means he/she has to donate his/her bed and all other belongings after observing 12 Kalpvas.

During Magh Mela, the special arrangements to provide better facilities to devotees such as developing township of tents, medical, security arrangements by local police, lost and found camps etc. are made on the banks of Sangam by the Uttar Pradesh State Government. For transport local buses, auto rickshaws and taxies are available to let the pilgrims have their journey smooth and peaceful without any trouble. Also one can see small shops of food items, clothes etc. for the basic needs of the devotees.

After every twelfth year, this Magh Mela is transformed into a grant event, the Kumbha Mela. Next year in 2013, Allahabad Prayag Sangam will host this Maha Kumbh Mela in the months of January and February.

Not only Allahabad of Uttar Pradesh but Uttarkashi of Uttarakhand also organizes Magh Mela on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. Here the people and pilgrims from all over the country bring along their village deity to take a dip in the holy river Bhagirathi. This Mela is arranged at the local Ramlila ground and it goes on for a week. People from all around the district as well as from other far and nearby places come to perform religious activities. One can also enjoy Exhibition of different Government departments in this fair at Uttarkashi.

Pongal (Makara Sankranthi) in India

Pongal (Makara Sankranthi) is one of the major festivals of India.This is the only one Indian festival which falls on the same date i.e January 15th of every year.From this day The Sun moves from the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn or from Dakshinayana to Uttarayana. Many people believe that Uttarayana is very good season.Legend Bheeshma (Grand father of both Pandavas and Kauravas) wanted to die only in this Uttarayana and for that he waited for nearly 21 days on the bed of arrows. I can say that this is a festival of Farmers ( of course all the people celebrate this festival). It was very good when I was in the school because we used to get 15 days holidays for this festival.Ladies put rangoli in front of their houses for one month during this season. They decorate this rangoli very well.

People celebrate this festival for 3days.
1.Bhogi
2.Sankranthi
3.Kanuma
Bhogi: First of these 3 days is Bhogi. People light the fire in wee hours of this day in front of their homes, with some wood, cow dung and all the unwanted material like papers, old items in their home.Then they will have hair wash and pray to god. We should eat a curry with mix of 5 vegetables and some of moong dal should add to the regular rice on this day.This type of rice is called pulagam in telugu. There is a custom that for the children below 5 years, all the elders pour some fruits on their head. Fruits like regipallu(plums), chana and some other ones are used for this one. This is called Bhogi pallu. Makara Sankranthi: Second day is Sankranthi. This is more important day in these 3 days.Paayasam(rice, milk and sugar) is the main dish on this day.This is the harvest season for the paddy. People prepare paayasam with this new rice.

Kanuma: Third day is Kanuma. People worship their cows, oxes on this day. These are the main sources of farming in the olden days, now machines replaced these ones, but for one thing (I didnt get that one exactly) we should use oxes.
As per the Legend Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan hill to protect the people of Gokulam from the cyclone poured by Lord Indra on this day. The festival is dedicated to cows, bulls and other animals that are part of rural economy in Andhra Pradesh.

The Fast Depleting Hinterland of Jharkhand

What have we achieved in mowing down mountain ranges, harnessing the energy of mighty rivers, or moving whole populations about like chess pieces, if we ourselves remain the same restless, miserable, frustrated creatures we were before? To call such activity progress is utter delusion. We may succeed in altering the face of the earth until it is unrecognizable even to the Creator, but if we are unaffected wherein lies the meaning? 

-Henry Miller

Touched a raw chord dint it?

But what misery lies untold is misery double-fold. These were the words that crept into my mind when I read about the depleting forests of Jharkhand. Jharkhand, the land synonymous with forests, the land whose visage we imagine is green with smiling brightly hued tribals whose cause for celebration begins and ends in the forest. The land that celebrates life in jungles, under the thick canopy of trees, the green-lungs of the Eastern belt, the land that is rich in mineral resources- you name it they have it in short all those elements which can produce billions and billions of dollars. But then you utter Jharkhand and the screaming headlines of a Madhu Koda or a Shibu Soren stares back at you. But there is never any mention of the fast-depleting-at-the-blink-of-of-an-eye huge tracts of trees and with them the endangered species of flora and fauna!

Jharkhand is now 12 years old. But the forests that give it its identity, give no cause for celebration. While the state is forging ahead with its grand plans of industrial development tapping into the rich mineral resources, the forest ranges of the Santhal Pargana are fast disappearing. Reasons..well they are myriad in number.

Careless and illegal human activity heads the list. Man’s insatiable greed has taken him to gobble the dense mountainous forests and all its richness within. The huge expanse of 5470 square miles of solid lung space has been home to several indigenous tribes for centuries. Tribes who have lived with wisdom that has been passed down from generation to generation, communities who have lived in harmony with the forests that provided them with sustenance of such magnitude and importance that the so called modern way of living seemed inconspicuous and insignificant. These forests have been home to hundreds of rare species of birds and animals, making them the destination of numerous enthusiasts, researchers and bird watchers worldwide.

Way back in 1910, the West Bengal Gazetters published a book written by L S O’Malley, that reveals the large presence of wild animals in Dumka, Godda, Pakud, Sahebganj, Devghar and Jamtada forests. Malley also states that the clash between man and animal began around 1790-1810 when the Santhal tribes began to claim the forests for their own.

There has been drastic change of scene and since the last 11-12 years the Santhal Pargana that was once home to the Asian Elephants, has all but wiped it out. The gentle pachyderm’s 11 ft huge skeleton stands as a mute testimony of its presence in the Museums of Kolkata. Pattabadi and Dumka forests no longer echo with the trumpeting and groans of these wise animals. Who is to be blamed?

Life still continues and wild pigs, bears, rabbits, wild cock, royal peacock, wild cats, hyenas, jackals and bucks still inhabit these forests. But woe to the greed of man again, these are marked! What was once considered to be a favorite pastime of kings and zamindars continues to attract the upper echelons of society, whose modern weapons make the killing in large numbers. Making matters worse is the huge demand for skins, bones, teeth, horns and meat of rare species in the international market. Animals straying into human habitations and getting caught or killed are again a matter for grave concern. Those that have been killed or maimed or captured or sold are never brought to the notice of the forest officials, and the numbers get screwed.

Research into the numerous varieties of birds and animals in the forests are bound to bring cheer in to the hearts of many wildlife enthusiasts. But those familiar with the forests believe that the government officials are hand-in-glove with the poachers and hunters of the region. Illegal killing of rare birds and animals is rampant and in such an alarming way that many are not sure if these did exist in the first place!

Strapped for funds, civil society organizations, natural wildlife groups feel that with no active support or any massive drive ordained to save wild animals, birds and trees, the extinction of several rare species of flora and fauna from these forests is just a matter of time. Time may come when Jharkhand meaning the land-of-jungles may soon seek to change its name!