The sun rises with new hope, kites fly with vigour, and crops are ready to be harvested – all denoting hope, joy, and abundance.
Pongal/Makar Sankranti is a festival in the Hindu calendar associated with the deity Surya or Sun god. It is observed each year in January, and marks the first day of the Sun’s transit into Makar or Capricorn. The festival is celebrated across the country in different forms, Lohri in Punjab, Bihu in Assam, and Makar Sankranti in several states, with a regional essence. Although the forms are different, the purpose remains the same, marking the onset of the spring season.
To mark the advent of the harvest season, the students of Amrita Vidyalayam & Jr. College celebrated Makar Sankranti & Pongal with great fervour on the school premises, showcasing the ‘unity in diversity’ of festivals. In the assembly, Advaita Wankhede of Std. VIII delivered a speech on Makar Sankranti and recounted chronicles to mark the importance of the day. Shouryasingh Gaur of Std. III delivered a speech on Pongal, followed by a message which reminded the children about the importance of the harvest festival.
“Celebrate this festival of harvest by giving thanks to plants and the Sun for their blessings. Let us pray that this will always bring excitement and happiness in our lives.”
