The first month of the year marks the beginning of hopeful wonderings. The time to relinquish past sorrows and journey to a happy future. Not to forget, the only time of the year where pending resolutions are strictly followed and then unsubscribed at the end of the very month.
But we often forget about the three striking festivals that are celebrated at this very time of the year. Here is a gist of information to enlighten our knowledge regarding these festivals.
-Chunipa Losar aka Traditional Day of offering is celebrated to mark the sovereignty and solidarity of Bhutan. Some say that on this day, officials across the country gathered at Punakha Dzong to show their gratitude to Zhabdrung for unifying the country.
-Lohri is celebrated in India which commemorates the passing of winter solstice. For people like me who are(were) into Sas Bahu serials - a question of why the dance around a fire is obvious. It is believed that the flames of the bonfire lit on the day of Lohri carries the prayers to the sun god who in exchange blesses the land and ends the days of gloom and cold.
-Makara Sankranthi is a harvest festival celebrated by Hindus a day after Lohri. It marks the first day of the sun's transit to Makar Rashi (Capricorn) so hence the name of the festival-Makara. Here is the reason why the compelling pressure from our family to eat Tarual (Yam) on this day: it was believed that eating yam gave us the energy to survive through the long and cold wintery nights (Not sure if it's the only reason; just doesn't justify the enormity of compulsion put to make us eat Tarual).
Hope this was useful. A very Happy and Blessed month to you all.