Makara Sankranti and Kalpavriksham
Every year in the month of Dhanurmasamu (December/January), I take out
the Sankranti Kalpavriksham from the attic and decorate it with lights,
toys and images. The Kalpavriksham is a divine tree, which was
born when the Devas (gods) and Asuras (demons) churned the milky ocean for
ambrosia. This divine tree has extraordinary powers to give boons of
any kind if requested when you are under that tree. I usually write
a request on a white paper and tie it to one of the branches and the request
this time is “Oh divine Kalpavrikshama! Please provide my company with the
strength to resist the carnal temptation of merger with any other company!”
This tradition of writing requests is from Semi/Jammi (Mimosa suma
or Acacia suma of the family Caesalpinacae) Pooja (worship) during
Dasara festival (September/October) in Telangana. I found my
divine Devadaru Chettu (pine tree) in a modest Kmart as a small plastic
incarnation. I intend to pass the great Kalpavrikshamu on to my children
as a divine heirloom for generations.
Every month the Sun moves from one zodiac constellation to another and
the day on which Sun changes the constellation is called Sankranti.
Makara Sankranti (January 14, 1999), the Sun’s movement into Capricorn
(Makara) constellation is considered very important, as it is the
beginning of a six-month period of the auspicious time of Sun’s northern
course called Uttaraayana Punya Kaalamu (Uttaraayana =northern
course, Punya=divine, Kaalamu=time). Bhogi
is the day preceding Sankranti and Kanumu is the day after
Sankranti. One month preceding Makara Sankranti is known as
Dhanurmasamu. During the entire Dharnurmasamu girls decorate
the mungili or vaakili (the entrance to the house) with huge
muggulu (designs with lime sand, turmeric and kumkuma) with Gobbemmalu
(globes made of cow dung and decorated with flowers, turmeric and kumkuma,
and incense) in the center, and worship Gobbemma (Goddess, Mother
Gobbi) while singing and dancing around the muggu (design).
On Bhogi day in the early morning, a bon fire is lit up with waste, before
the traditional special bath. In the evening Bommala Koluvu (arrangement
of images of Gods, toys and dolls) and Bhogi pallu (Zyziphus fruits,
floral petals and coins) showers for children, Perantamu (gift giving
that includes clothes, lentils, betel leaves, betel nuts, flowers, turmeric
and kumkuma) for women are given. Pulagamu with fresh
rice from the harvest and a kalagalupu koora (mixed vegetable curry)
with chikkudu (beans), vankaya (egg-plant or brinjal) and other
vegetables are prepared. Pongali (rice pudding with milk) is an important
item during this festival. That is why this festival is also known as Pongal
in Tamil. Special dishes like karapupusa & chakkilalu (brittle
salted and peppered lentil pretzels) palakayalu (hard fried rice
globules), ariselu (sweet rice cakes) etc., are also prepared. On
Kanumu day animals are decorated and races are held, sometimes the
banned cockfights, bullfights and ramfights are included. Sun, Mahabali
(a mythological Asura king) and Godadevi (Goddess Goda) are worshipped during
this harvest festival.
By the way, my wife calls the Kalpavrikshamu, the Xmas tree and
thinks Santa gives the boons. Well, I know the truth and the correct path
to get the divine gift of peace!
Happy Makara Sankranti and a Very Happy and Peaceful New Year! Sreenivasarao Vepachedu,
01/01/1999
SANKRANTI POEM (Telugu)
Vachindi Vanchindi Sankranti
Techindi Techindi Kotta Kanti
Maa Palle Ayyindi Mustabu
Daanikinka ledandi Javaabu
Haridaasu paata "Harilo ranga hari"
Chinnavaalla maata " Bari ledando mari"
Bulli papa Aaata " Gobbilloyi Gobbilloyi"
Chinnakkala pani " Muggulloyi Muggulloyi"
Bhogi pandaga naadu "Mantaloyi Mantalu"
Makara Sankrati naadu "Gaareloyi Gaarelu"
Kanuma naadu " Koti Prabhala Kantuloyi Kaantulu"
Moodu pandagalu mugiyagaane, "parikshaloyi parikshalu!!"
- Viswanadham Garimella
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Vepachedu Educational Foundation,
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