CHICAGO: Members of Indian community – the North and South Indians – in Lake County celebrated their first festivals of the New Year – Makar Sankranti and Lohri with great fervor and enthusiasm.
On Monday January 13, hundreds of North Indian devotees had a great time enjoying their favorite Lohri program with their families and friends. Temple Priest Anil Joshi performed Lohri Pujan with Swasti Vachan mantras and Slokas. All devotees offered Akshat and flowers to Agni Dev for their well-being and prosperity.
The priest invited and welcomed Agni Dev by lighting the bonfire. The devotees then carried on their traditional ritual by offering peanuts, Rewadi, popcorns to Agni Dev and did Pradakshana by chanting their customary Punjabi songs with immense happiness despite the severe cold weather. Young couples with their little ones enjoyed the bonfire chanting and dancing. They wished each other by saying ‘Lohri di Lakh Lakh Badhayinya.”
Pandit Ji dwelt on significance of Lohri celebration saying that it is the last night of the winter season and it is time to enjoy the bonfire and sweets made of sesame and peanuts.
Kamal Gupta and his team served mouth watering conventional Punjabi Lohri food to all the devotees. The program was organized by Naveen Mishra, Shammi Dhal and Rishi.
On Tuesday January 14 morning, Makar Sankranti celebration was started at 10:30 am with the performing of Ganesh, Vishnu, and Navagrah Pujan, Surya Yagna, and Sarva Devi and Deva Yagna. Special Aahutis were offered to Lord Surya and Shani Dev with their 108 names respectively. Mritunjaya and Gayatri Mantras were chanted by devotees with lots of devotion on this occasion.
Later on, Pandit Joshi explained the importance of meeting of Lord Surya with his son Lord Shani at his house Makar Raasi. He also highlighted the Bhishma Pitamaha story form Mahabharat. He said that by performing Surya Yagna and giving away donations to Brahmins, gurus, elderly members of the house, especially the father and socio-religious organizations will be assured of fine health for themselves, and of their parents besides getting spiritual upliftment.
Pandit Anil Joshi blessed all the devotees for their welfare and safety. Devotees brought home-made scrumptious sweets made with Gur, Sesame and peanuts, rice and Sooji Payasam along with traditional Khichadi as this festival is called as Kichadi Day in Northern India.
In the evening, the South Indian community celebrated Pongal with Lord Ganesh and Swami Ayyappa Abhishekam performed by Pandit Ganesh Ji. More than hundred devotees chanted various Mantras and Sthotras with utmost dedication and keenness. Traditional devotional Bhajans were sung by Vishvanathan, Anand and others.
Devotees dressed up in colorful dresses. Archana with 108 names of Ayyappa was performed. Finally, Aarati and Naivedyam were offered by the priest. In some parts of South India this day is considered as their New Year Day also. They also wished each other for ‘Happy New Year’ and ‘Happy Pongal.’
Ending was with pujan of Ram Parivar and Hanuman. Devotees chanted Shri Hanuman Chalisa, Sankat Mochan and Ram Stuti. Special Archanas were performed for Ram Parivar and Hanuman Ji to amplify love, progress, and peace in the world. Pt. Joshi said that we need to learn ideals from the Rama Parivar story to build a healthy and happy family by providing love and services to our own elders and youngsters in the family and community. He also emphasized that we should not only listen to Ramcharita Manas but should follow the ideals of Ram Parivar for all round development of our family and spiritual life.
Geetha Patil
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