Sankranthi Muggulu 6

SANKRANTHI SUBHAKANKSHALU


Sankranthi festival is one of the important festivals of India. It is called by different names in different parts of the country and neighbouring countries. But one thing that is common is its closeness to nature, greenery and the agricultural sector. It is the festival signifies abundance, auspiciousness and sign of the wellbeing in the coming months.

In Norh India,
Himachal Pradesh, Punjab -Lohri

In East India,
Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Orissa -Bhogali Bihu, Makara Samkranthi


In Western India,
Gujarath and rajasthan - Uttarayan(Kite flying festival)
Maharashtra - sankranti


In South India,
In Andhra Pradesh- Sankranti - సంక్రాంతి
In Tamilnadu - Pongal
In Karnataka - Sankranthi
In Kerala - Makara Vilakku Festival in Sabarimala Temple
Other parts of India as Makara Sankranti

In Nepal,
Tharu people - Maghi
Other people - Maghe Sankranti or Maghe Sakrati
In Thailand - Songkran
In Laos - Pi Ma Lao
In Myanmar - Thingyan


In South india,
The celebrations take place for 5 days starting with,

Bhogi, Sankranti, Kanuma ,Mattukanuma, Yeedadhi Panduga in Andhra Pradesh .

But we are following it for 3 days in the modern ages .

On Bhogi day,

The houses are cleaned and the waste materials and unwanted stuff is put to fire .It is an occasion to clean the entire house and welcome the new grains into the granary.

Little children have a festivity of "Bhogi pallu", wherein all the elders ,friends, relatives and neighbours pour the "a mixture regi fruits, flowers, sugercane pieces, coins" and bless the kids.

Sankranti:

The next day the grand day with everyone cooking the "Pongal" with the new rice and perform pooja to the gods and goddesses. Muggulu are the highlight. Boys fly kites . There is also a tradition of bullock cart races, cock fights(kodi pandaalu).

Other significant features of the festival are, Bommala Koluvu, Hari Dasu Keerthanalu,

Gangiredhulavallu, Teppa Thiranaala (The village gods "Utsava Moortulu " are taken in a decorated boat with flowers, lights in the local village river for darshan of all public.), local festival santha or jaatara is also seen in many villages.

Special sweets like Arisalu, Chekkalu, Chakraalu, Sajja Boorelu, Gaarelu, are made with the new produce from the fields.

Kanuma:

The third day is the festival of Kanuma. On this day the bullocks are decorated and pooja is performed to the cows, bullocks and all animals who aid the farmer in his tasks.

The speciality of the Muggu is the "Ratham Muggu". ( More on ratham Muggu in my next post)

The designs are all draw innovatively by the women of various districts in Andhra Pradesh, which are published in daily in the Dhanurmasam by telugu newpaper ANDHRA JYOTHI.
Our thanks to the newspaper management for encouraging the art of Rangoli/Muggulu and making it accessible through the print and elctronic media via internet.

Courtesy: Andhra Jyothi Newspaper

Courtesy: Andhra Jyothi Newspaper

Courtesy: Andhra Jyothi Newspaper

Courtesy: Andhra Jyothi Newspaper

Courtesy: Andhra Jyothi Newspaper

Courtesy: Andhra Jyothi Newspaper

The colors of kites, Rangoli, Muggulu, food and the new harvest bring in new meaning to the life and enhances the beauty within and around .

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

THE THANKSGIVING STORY

1607

A group of people living in England was not pleased because both the government and religious bodies told them that they could only worship God according to certain laws. They decided to go to Holland where they could have freedom to worship.

1620

The people became unhappy after a few years because their children were beginning to speak and act like the Dutch children.They decided to go and build homes in a new country.On September 6, 1620, 110 people boarded a ship named the Mayflower at Plymouth,England and sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to find a new home.

November 10-December 12, 1620

The voyage took 65 days before they saw land.The weather was very cold and damp;they could not have any fires because they were ona wooden ship.They could not even cook their food.The ship first landed at Newfoundland,but they continued to sail along the coast until they found a harbor.They decided to build their homes at Plymouth.They called themselves Pilgrims, which means "travelers in a foreign land"

December 11, 1620

The Pilgrims stepped on the shore at Plymouth on a huge boulder, later named Plymouth Rock. They had to build houses but the weather was very cold with much snow and their houses were not warm; many of the Pilgrims became sick and died during the winter.When spring arrived only 46 of the Pilgrims were still alive.

Then something happened!

March 16, 1621

A native American named Samoset walked into the Pilgrims' village and called out "Welcome" in English. He had learned English from the captains of fishing boats along the coast. After staying one night he left but soon returned with another native American named Squanto, who also spoke English. Squanto was very important to the Pilgrims because he taught them how to grow squash and corn.He also showed them how to tap maple trees for sap and to fine wild plants and berries that were good to eat.

October 1621

The harvest was very successful and the Pilgrims had enough food put away to take care of them through the winter - corn, fruits, vegetable, fish and meat.Governor William Bradford set a special time for the Pilgrims to give praise and thanks to God for his goodness. Governor Bradford also called for a celebration to be shared by the Pilgrims and their friendly native American neighbours. Squanto,Cheif Massasoit and 90 braves came to the celebration,which lasted for the 3 days. They played games,ran races,marched and played drums. The native Americans demonstrated their skills with the bows and arrows and the Pilgrims showed their skills with muskets.

November 29, 1623

Although Thanksgiving was not celebrated in 1622, Governor Bradford proclaimed another Thanksgiving day on November 29, 1623.Thanksgiving did not become a national holiday until many years later.

1789

George Washington proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving.

1863

Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thurday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving.

1939, 1941

Thanksgiving Day was set as the fourth Thursday in November by President Franklin D.Roosevelt ; two years later Congress officially approved the day as a National Holiday.

A PRAYER FOR OUR COUNTRY

Oh Thou who led the Pilgrims
To that far wilderness,
Who guarded and sustained them
In moments of distress,
Look down upon Thy children
Who take their place today
And help us when we falter
And hear us when we pray

For now we need Thy guidance,
Dangers beset our land.
Send our leaders strong hearts
which will know and understand
Give us the faith and courage
To follow where they lead
And with Thy hand to guide us,
We will be strong indeed!

!!! LONG LIVE AMERICA-MERA BHARAT MAHAN !!!

Deepavali

నిత్య దీపావళి

త్రేతా యుగంలో నిత్య కల్యాణం పచ్చతోరణం

శ్రీరామ రక్ష సర్వజగత్ రక్ష

ద్వాపర యుగంలో వెలుగుల వెల్లువ

క్రిష్ణం వందే జగత్గురుం

మరి ఇప్పుడు,

కలియుగ శ్రీవేంకటేశ్వరుని సాక్షిగా

ప్రతిరోజు నిప్పుతో చెలగాటంపవర్ కట్ల పుణ్యమా అని,

లో వ్లోటేజి తో భగ్గుమన్న విద్యుత్ పరికరాలు

తారాజువ్వల్లా నింగికి యెగసిన నిత్యావసర ధరలు

ఇంధనం క్రుత్రిమ కరువు వలన కాలుతున్న జేబులు

ఏ మూల చూసినా బాంబుల భయం

దేశం ఉగ్రవాదుల చేత్తుల్లో ఆట వస్తువైపోతే,

మన రాజకీయ నాయకులు, కుంభకొణాల్తో సేద తీరుతుంటే

ఇంతలో రంగు పూసుకున్న కళాకారులు, అసలు రంగులు బయటపెడుతుంటే

మన మనసులకు భ్రమ కల్పించి,దారి తప్పిస్తుంటే,

సగటు మనిషికి, దీపావళి మాయమై, ఇంటిలో పొయ్యి వెలిగించే వీలులేక

బతికే స్థొమత లేక విలవిల లాడు తుంటే,

స్వామీ,

ఇన్ని చూస్తూ ఎలా వున్నావు?

నీ పేరు తో మోసం చేస్తూ వుంటే,

ఎలా వారిని వదిలిపెడు తున్నావు?

దుష్ట శిక్షణ శిష్ట రక్షణ చేసిన రోజు కావాలి

మనం కోరుకొనే పండుగ.

దీపావళి మళ్ళీ మళ్ళి రావాలి.

MUGGULU-RANGULA HARIVILLU (ముగ్గులు రంగులహరివిల్లు)2

MUGGULU-DIVINITY-YOGASANAS

In the second series of Muggulu –Rangula Harivillu, a detailed explanation of the designs, drawing techniques and significance are detailed.

BASICS :

Basically they can be are drawn as
1 Guided
2 Freehand

Guided is further divided
1 By dots
2 By lines

Dots are placed uniformally in two ways

1 Parallel to each other (Count is same or reduces evenly by 2)
Pattern 1: Eg: 5-3-1 (forms a triangle pattern).If both sides the count is reduced it will form a diamond pattern



.
. .
. . .
. .
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Pattern 2: Eg: 5 @ 5 times (forms a square pattern)


. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .




2 Middle dots (Count reduces by 1)
Eg: 5-4-3-2-1(Forms a diamond) For a hexagon

Also while drawing the pattern there are 2 ways,

1 By joining the dots. Dots become the integral part of the design and not visible. We see them at intersections of lines. (It will be seen in different forms,shapes and designs) (Akruti Muggulu)















2 By drawing a curved line between gaps. The dots are visible along with the lines (Muthyala Muggulu).














DIVINITY IN RANGOLI:

Rangoli is considered as auspicious and divine as Sree MahaLakshmi Devi .Daily cleaning the front of the house ,hallway or pooja room and putting Muggulu is a way of inviting the goddess to our homes and where the goddess resides there will be prosperity.So it has got a great significance in our culture and no event is started without the Muggu welcoming the event. Even the Yagna havans and homams are decorated with the symmetric patterns of rangoli before the actual performance of the yagna.

లక్ష్మీ క్షీర సముద్ర రాజ తనయా శ్రీరంగ ధామేశ్వరీం
దాసీభూత సమస్త దేవవనితాం లోకైక దీపాకురాం
శ్రీ మన్మంద కటాక్ష లబ్ద విభవత్ బ్రహ్మేంద్ర గంగాధరం

త్వాంత్త్రెలోక్యకుటుంబినీం సరసిజాం వందేముకుందప్రియాం


lakshmi kshIra samudra rAja tanayA SrIranga dhAmESvarIM
dAsIBUta samasta dEvavanitAM lOkeika deepAkuraaM
Sree manmaMda kaTAksha labda vibhavat brahmEndra gaMgAdharaM
tvAMttrelOkyakuTumbinIM sarasijAM vaMdEmukundapriyAM





The patterns signify the occasion and by seeing the entrance of a house decorated with the muggu reveals the significance of the day.

Our elders have always given importance to morning prayers and every action of us –like eating,drinking water,taking bath etc is only possible with the Gods’ grace So we need to thank them at everystage of our lives. They say Goddess lakshmi resides at the tip of the hand ,in the center of the palm resides Sarasvati,the goddess of wisdom and at the base of the palm is Govinda. So early morning praying to these gods and showing our obeisance is possible when we start drawing the rangoli with our hand.


కరాగ్రే వసతే లక్ష్మీ
కరమధ్య సరస్వతీ
కరమూలే తు గోవింద
ప్రభాతే కరదర్శనం

Karagre vasate Lakshmih
Karamadhya Sarasvati
Karamulee tu Govinda
Prabhatee karadarsanam







YOGASANAS AND MUGGULU:

Also when we are preparing for drawing the muggu ,the postures we sit ,lean or stand are the yoga asanas.such is the greatness of our culture that every action of ours becomes a guidance to more purposeful life and imbibed in it are the life’s secrets.

Now you must be wondering what is the relation between the Muggu and Yogasanas.

In early days and even in some homes today,Rangoli is put 2 times a day –Morning and Evening.It is the way of inviting the gods to bring peace,happiness and good to all in the home and world in general.Surya namaskarams and Sandhya vandhanam.So now we can understand the relation. The lady of the home,


1 When she is cleaning the floor-the bending posture-Pada hastasana
2 When bringing water in the bucket and sprinkling water-Udaraka Asana,Pavana Muktha Asanas,ParsvaThadasan
3 While putting kolam-eyes,hands,neck,fingers wrist rotation movement- Pavanamuktha Asanas
4 When leaning forward-Pada hastasana
5 When sitting and drawing-Katichakra Asana

So these asanas put the required physical movement on the particular parts of the body, which will enhance the health of the lady enormously.It cures lot of health related issues of ladies like back pain,abdomenal problems,thyroid,hormonal secretion and above all the psychological well being as she draws the patterns ,the creative mind is being sharpened.

In a broadway,it perfectly fits the concise definition of Yogasanas in Pantanjalis “Yoga Sutras”---

స్థిరం సుఖం ఆసనం

STHIRAM SUKHAM ASANAM

-meaning that position which is comfortable and steady.That implies ,it make our body to comfortably be in a position for an extended length of time,as is necessary for meditation.

Don’t you see reason and purpose in all this?

Unfortunately, in todays society and jetstream patterns of life,we have given this task to our helping maids or totally taken to sticking a plastic paper with glue on oneside with a colorful design on the otherside and in some homes it is a forgotten daily routine except for festivals. Thank god at least its just an occasional ritual in some homes. Some solace atleast!


Also another interesting relation to the importance of rangoli is ,”Salutations to the Mother Earth” , or “Bhoomi vandanam “ who is the daughter of god of oceans and the consort of Lord Vishnu,on whom we daily walk do our daily chores and which gives us the food to eat,and daily oxygen for our lives. We are asking the mother goddess to pardon us .

సముద్రవసనే దేవీ
పర్వతస్తన మండలే
విష్ణుపత్నీ నమస్తుభ్యం
పాదస్పర్శం క్షమస్వ మే



Samudravasane devi
Parvatastana mandale
Vishnupatni namstubhyam
Padasparsam ksamasva me

We are invoking the goddess to bless and reside in our homes with auspiciousness,prosperity,good health,wealth and destruction of ignorance.


నమస్తేతు మహామాయే
శ్రీపీఠే సురపూజితే
శంఖచక్ర గదాహస్తే
మహాలక్ష్మీ నమోస్తుతే


Namastetu mahamaye
Sripeetee surapoojithe
Sankhachakra gadaahasthe
Mahalakshmi namostuthee


Goddess Mahalakshmi,my obeisance to you ,who is adorned by sankham,chakran in hands and seated on the highest pedestal and Srichakra which is a symbol of your divineness and I invite you to my home through the medium of muggu to bless us.


The patterns signify the occasion and by seeing the entrance of a house decorated with the muggu reveals the significance of the day.





FESTIVALS AND MUGGULU:

1Padmam or lotus patterns,flowers,creepers,plants: Ganesha,Lakshmi,Dasara,Batukamma,,temple festivals
2 Sankha, chakras: Vaikunta ekadasi,
3 Pots,coconuts,sugarcane,kites,bullocks carts ,cocks,chariot : Pongal,Sankranthi,harvest festivals
4 Themes designs : Independence day ,New year and marriages and festivals
5 Cartoons of dolls,animals: Kids specials festivals,cradle ceremony,childrens day




GROUP EVENTS :

There is culture in India that at any school,college or University level talent functions rangoli competition is a must.Even on special occasions and festivals Rangoli competitions are an integral part .
The best part is it is not taught in any classroom sessions but is a family tradition where the children learn from the parents and it is passed on for generations .