Mangalore : It is a declared government holiday and a holy day for those pilgrims reaching the Sabarimala precincts in Southern Kerala, across Pampa river, on a steep hill.
The devotees are in lakhs (as usual) this year, to have a Darshan (sight) of seated Hari-Hara Puthran (son) Sri Sabarimalai Aiyappan, climbing 18 steps.
On 14th January, the solar stride takes a turn to the north, known as Uttarayana (a journey towards north of Equator). Heat rises.
Lord Bheeshma, fallen on a bed of arrows created by his grandson Arjuna in the battle ground of Kurukshetra in December, over 4000 years ago, awaits Uttarayana, to give up his mortal coils. Pandavas surround him in agony, repentance and high regard. Brave Arjuna strikes an arrow on earth to let mother Ganga spring up, sprinkle and provide drinking water to the dying warrior son on this day. Bheeshma teaches morals to the eager grandsons before death.
Makara Vilakku (a sky light) shines on the night horizon and comes up as the earth rolls on, to appear on night sky to lakhs of devotees, awaiting its presence and cheering its appearance, with delighted shouts on the Sabari hills tonight. See it on T.V.
The day gets longer by minutes. On Dec 22, it was shortest at 11 hours, and later on June 21, it will be the, longest day at 13 hours out of possible 24 hours. The Hindus have a festival every calendar month, and today, it is Pongal in Tamil Nadu.
Sweetened (jaggery syrup) rice will be prepared and distributed to all in the neighbourhood. Young girls in white sarees will dance on swinging waists around a tall lamp, bedecked in flowers all over their shapely heads and long hair-locks.
They will draw up colour pictures and make many intricate designs on the front yards, already purified with cow-dung water, driving away tiny insects. They milk the local cows and offer new crop of rice food to Lord Guruvayurappa (child Krishna).
We join them in offering. Good wishes to you all.