Its Shankranthi Time Again !!

Sankranthi time has always been exciting for me. I really enjoyed the festivities celebrated in Mysore during my childhood. Mysore being the cultural capital for Karnataka, was always fun filled, colourful and very traditional. The values and heritage imbibed in me by my parents and Mysore has left a lasting mark.

My mother would meticulously prepare a few weeks ahead of Pongal/Sankranthi (usually the second week of January). The best part was the special sweet Pongal (Pal Pongal) my mother would prepare; the Tamil Nadu style, it was essentially lentils (green gram) and rice cooked entirely in milk and simmered for hours until it becomes thick and obtains an orangish ting. It has been the tastiest pongal I have ever tasted. Evenings were more of the ladies stuff wherein the womenfolk go and exchange “Yellu, Bella”; this is a customary activity celebrating the harvest season. The exchange of “Yellu, Bella” essentially consists a mixture also called “Yellu”, but has roasted peanuts, sesame seeds, dried coconut pieces, roasted Bengal gram and Jaggery pieces. In addition to Yellu womenfolk exchange Sugarcane, Bananas, Small toy [called Kudike] filled with Kusri (Sugar candies) and standard tamboola with Betel leaves, Betel and some money.  This is excellent symbolism of community building, networking and exchanging pleasantries. All Hindu communities celebrate this festival in this manner at Mysore. Of course this generally is followed all over Karnataka as well.

In Andhra Pradesh, it’s a tad different. Here they don’t exchange Sesame as it is considered inauspicious. Instead the Rangoli, the doll arrangements and the overall atmosphere during Shankranthi are beguiling.

Wishing you all a happy Shankranthi festivities and a great year ahead.