Makar Sankranti is an Indian festival celebrated by several states of India around mid-January. Tamil Nadu celebrates Pongal at the same time while Punjab celebrates Lohri
at this time. While this is when all the different states celebrate their harvest festivals, true to India’s diverse traditions, each one has its own customs and practices.
Since the Sun is regarded to have moved from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere on this day in the Hindu calendar, the festival is dedicated to the solar deity, Surya, and is observed to mark a new beginning. Many native multi-day festivals are organized on this occasion all over India
Makara Jyothi is a star that is worshiped by pilgrims in huge numbers at Sabarimala Temple in Kerala on Makara Sankranti on 14 January every year. It is believed that the deity Ayyappan asserts himself as Makara Jyothi to bless his devotees. On this day, the sacred ornaments, called 'Thiruvabharanam', which is to be worn by the deity, is brought from the Pandalam Palace where Lord Ayyappa was believed to have spent his childhood.
The procession of devotees reaches the temple by evening, and this is followed by a 'deeparadhana'. A 'darshan' of the 'Makaravilakku', a lamp that glows on the Ponnambalamedu hill in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta district, and the 'Makara Jyothi' star that appears after sunset, marks the day of Makar Sankranti in Kerala.
This year also Bangalore Warrier samajam members got the opportunity to get the blessings of this Kaliyuga varadhan,Sri Sabarimala Ayyappan. On account of Mandala Utsava, Bangalore Warrier samajam members gathered in WASA and chanted his divine names and Bhajans to seek his blessings.
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