Pongal, Sankranti & Uttarayana

 

In gratitude for agricultural abundance

Comes this festive Tamilian observance

Gift giving, feasting and home visiting

A rice and milk dish with Jaggery sweetening

The four day festival of Gregorian calendar

Comes the Harvest significance of Thai Pongal

Kite flying, bon fires and Surya Puja in the river

The arts and dance and feasting social fervor

Gathering of crowds at Yamuna and Ganga sangam

For the sacred prayer and a dip at Prayag confluence

Kumbh Mela forming integral part of pilgrimage

During Makar Sankranti Hindu festival to this age

Recurring each year in mid January is its occurrence

In the Maagh Hindu month of spiritual observance

Washing off past sins, gaining merit and absolvence

Bathing in holy waters to ritualism predominance

Dips in sacred rivers Krishna, Godavari and Cauvery

Thanking the Sun God for successes and prosperity

Commencement of the auspicious six month ascension

Comes Uttarayana the period of holy benediction

Sticky sesame sweets with ghee and gur sweetness

Symbolizing unity, peace and joyfulness of togetherness

The sky is brightened with a vibrant air and a zesty flair

Kites of shapes, colors and sizes fly high without a care

Contests amazing form events in appreciative cheer

Young and old all dressed up in festive gear.

Sikiladi

—————————————————————————————————————————————–IN THE MEDIA:

Published in “Diwali and Beyond” by The Asian weekly 2017