Sankranti festival is celebrated all over India in almost all states but with some variations. It is known by different names in various names Of course, as the name changes some procedures also do change. But, the time of celebrating the festival is almost the same and the purpose also will be the same
In South India, it is celebrated on 13th, 14th, and 15th of January. Sometimes, though rare, it starts on 12th January also. This is the festival celebrated as most of the crop produce reaches to the godown of the cultivator. There is a wrong notion that it is the festival of FARMERS and mostly celebrated in Villages only But, the fact is that it is not confined to the Indian Villages but also has its say in the lives of Urban folk also. This is on this day people purchase varieties of items needed for their house as well as the latest Agricultural implements meant for cultivation. The festival is an age-old traditional festival.
This is immaterial whether one is celebrating SANKRANTI or not but the sight of A GANGIREDDU ahead of Sankranti marks the significance of the festival.
Nagaraju of Rajampet in Kadapa District was busy with his Bull. He is making it ready for the SANKRANTI festival. When inquired as to what was he doing he replied “I am getting it ready for the festival This is my Hero I am training him in Dance.” He hit on the floor with a stick making some sound and it started putting some steps tapping them on the floor. He took his Clarionet and played it simultaneously hitting the stick on the ground. He suddenly stopped and asked her to salute the Master. It lifted is front legs into the air and bent them slightly.As bending some more is not possible it brought its head close to her legs. It is almost in the posture of WISHING.
He brought a new belt with small bells and tied it around the neck. Some colorful clothes were kept on the back. There were some KUMKUM AND TURMERIC powder. He applied it on the forehead. First mixed some water in a handful of turmeric power and applied it on the forehead of the Bull and later applied some KUM KUM in red color at the center of the Turmeric mark. The horns were tied with different bells. They were of brass metal and were making a sound whenever it was shaking his head.
Some bells were also tied to the feet of the Bull.
People bring their decorated bulls to the houses playing their Clarionets. They play music and in between asking their friends to do dance, to salute the owner of the house, to make jumps, to bless the inmates of the house.
iamge credit:thehindu.com
Finally, the request for some donations. People donate liberally after watching the event. Children enjoy the sight of decorated bull.
image credit to:youtube.com
They are even allowed to touch the Bull and understand their life. A mother brings her children and shows them ‘Bull has come …Bull has come” and the Child will stop crying and watch the decorated bull. Sometimes, the people donate 2-3 kgs of rice also to the Master seeking his blessings.
Being a part of the traditional festival, the Bull adds some finance to his master and wins him some bread and butter for the festival days. This is not only the Rice, but also a variety of vegetables that make a part of his earnings in kind.
A newly married couple offer their garland to the Bull which they wore at the time of celebration of their marriage. This is considered to be GOOD for the family.
The tradition of making rounds along with bulls in the Urban areas is increasing considerably. Surprisingly, their sight in Rural areas is decreasing.
Actually, the Bull though an Animal adds up to the finance of its Master in leading a happy life at least on the day of SANKRANTI FESTIVAL.
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That's a colorful festival you have in South India. Does it mean anyone can decorate their bulls like that and have it for display in a plaza perhaps where there will be lots of people who will be watching?
Can the people donate money too and other foods? WHere will they be placing their donations in kind? And the donation in money will be given directly to the owner of the bull?