Sankranthi: A celebration of submission to celestial power

[email protected] (Ashish Rao)
January 14, 2012

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Mangalore, January 14: In the Hindu calendar the movements of the planets plays an important role in our daily life. The significance of the Sun is one of the most important factors during the month of January. The Sun is continuously changing its position and even though it is the centre of our solar system, its position during the first half of the year is called “Uttarayana” and during the second half of the year it is called “Dakshinayana”. So, the event of the sun changing its position from one rashi to another is called 'Sankranthi'.

This is the festivity which is celebrated on January 14 and is called with different names 'Makara Sankramana' or ' Makara Sankranthi'. It symbolises the gradual movement of the sun from one 'rashi' to another. On Sankranthi day the sun's phase changes from Chandramana to Souramana. During the Souramana phase the months 'Mesha' slowly changes over till 'Meena'. Thus the first phase of the year which is called 'Uttarayana' begins. The auspicious day of Sankranthi marks the beginning of Uttarayana. During this punyakala many devotees visit the temples and offer their prayers. They worship Lord Ganesha and offer him fruits. Some devotees even perform 'Homas' on the temple premises. One of the popular temples in the city , Kadri temple had many devotees sitting with purohits for Homa. According to one of the purohits, Krishna Adiga, “Sankranthi is almost like a transition in many people's lives and hence our temple arranges homas and we welcome families to come out and observe the day.” The Uttarayana is for six months and only from Karkataka Sankranti , Dakshinayana starts.

The celebration of Sankranthi is not complete without devotees offering ' Naivedyam' . One of the preparations which purohits do is the 'Panchakajjaya' which is a mixture of puffed rice with jaggery, banana, aralu and coconut. All deities are worshipped during this festival including the Naga or snake god. The dieties are offered 'Naivedyam' or rice.

Sankranthi is also the time when thousands of devotees of Swami Ayyappa follow strict discipline and perform poojas to the lord. They do this until they make their journey to Shabarimala where they culminate to see the ' Makara Jyothi' on this auspicious day. Families usually celebrate the festival either by performing Homas or visit friends and relatives to distribute Jaggery, Ellu and a sweet preparation from Sugar. At some homes, Ganahoma or Satyanarayana Pooja is performed.


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News Network
March 31,2020

Mangaluru, Mar 31: With the Dakshina Kannada district administration relaxing the lockdown from 6 am to 3 pm to purchase essential commodities, panic-stricken citizens rushed to the shops early in the morning itself.

The citizens had formed a serpentine line in front of shops and supermarkets in different parts of Mangaluru and on the outskirts of the city to purchase their requirements.

As a precautionary measure, many were seen wearing masks.

“In spite of waiting in a long queue to purchase, we are not able to get the required essential commodities. Why can’t the district administration ensure enough stock of commodities in the shops and supermarkets,’’ asked a customer who had stood in a queue outside a supermarket at Chilimbi.
People were seen crowding outside markets at Kankanady, Mallikatte, Urwa and Central Market, violating the purpose of social distancing.

Consequently, vegetable prices have increased in the markets and shops. This is despite abundant stocks being available in these markets.

Trucks had unloaded the vegetables at Central Market on Sunday, according to sources. The prices of onions are skyrocketing yet again and is sold from Rs 50 to Rs 55 while a kg of carrot costs Rs 100.

"Why can’t the authorities check the rise in the price of vegetables and ensure that the poor are not inconvenienced," asks Lakshmi, a housewife.

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News Network
January 30,2020

Bengaluru, Jan 30: The BJP government of Karnataka has given green signal to the proposal of hiking milk prices by Rs 2 per litre.

The new prices will come into effect from February 1. Seeking revision of prices, the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) had submitted a proposal last week to the state government. Alongside the revision of milk prices, the state government has also hiked the prices of curd by Rs 2 per liter.

The sudden hike in the prices of milk, curd is likely to have a cascading effect on the milk related beverages such as coffee, tea, and milkshakes with hoteliers and eateries mulling to increase the prices of coffee and tea following the hike in prices.

Sources in the state government revealed to DH that out of Rs 2, farmers will be getting a lion’s share as their accounts will be credited with Rs 1. Another 40 paise will be given to the farmers towards the insurances of their livestock.

Another 40 paise will go to the milk salesmen in the form of commission. The remaining 20 paise will be distributed among the workforce at the milk cooperative unions as an additional incentive.

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News Network
February 17,2020

Bengaluru, Feb 17: The Karnataka govt has set up an exclusive helpline 104 'Arogya Sahayavani' for Coronavirus assistance to people with recent travel history to China and other affected countries, a statement said here on Monday.

According to the statement, the Karnataka Department of Family and Welfare set up the exclusive helpline 104, 'Arogya Sahayavani' on Sunday. People, who recently traveled to China and other affected countries and who have developed symptoms of Covid-19 virus are requested to immediately contact 104–Arogya Sahayavani or the health authorities and provide all necessary details in order to take precautionary measures.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the recent novel Coronavirus (COVID 2019) as an International Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

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