Friday 14 January 2011

Makar Sankranti

When the wind is high don 't moan and groan with it, just take out
your kite and fly it.
That 's what I said to myself this morning when my helper who does a little bit of house work did not show up. She has gone to the village to see her future son-in-law who had met with an accident.
Crowds of pilgrims poured into the city for the Hindu festival of Makar Sankranti and she could not get transport back because of the rush.
So I also took the morning off and had a leisurely breakfast out on the porch in the warm sun - and really enjoyed doing things differently which is my goal for 2011.

These are pictures of the International Kite Festival in Gujarat which takes place today.


January 14th is celebrated all over India as Makar Sankranti a Hindu festival heralding the harvest season. People take take baths in holy rivers and ponds in the quest to cleanse themselves from sin and gain salvation.
In my city Magh Mela a month long Hindu religious fair started today on the banks of the river Ganga at Sangam where 3 rivers Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati have their confluence. Read more about it in THIS NEWS STORY
I took these photos from the web to show you what the bathing looks like.
This is man in search of freedom from sin and a guilty conscience.

Can the water of a river worshipped as Mother Ganga cleanse a soul from sin?
As persons we inherited a sinful condition from the fall of man.


a. To be sinful means you accept and believe error Psalm 19 ;12

b. To be sinful means you practice error. Romans 3:9-18,23
c. To be sinful means you inherited a nature that wants to sin Romans 5 ;12-21

Jesus Christ came into the world to save mankind from the curse of sin. He gave his life for us on the cross - a sacrifice for sin - the only one acceptable to God. He shed he innocent blood for us to wash away our sin.

In this video sin has been personified and given a voice. Watch it carefully. CLICK HERE TO WATCH I AM SIN

8 Fertilize my soul:

Simply Shelley said...

Hi dear Amrita...such colorful pictures...the kites are beautiful!It makes my heart sad that these do not understand true salvation that only comes through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..may Christ reach them with the truth that only he can truly save.....blessings,Shelley

Nadwrażliwiec said...

I had never seen so many kites :)
Yes, You are right. Water is made by God - only He can make us free from the sin.

Julie said...

The video was very dark, frightening the way the people looks so normal at first and so scary by the time they finished. Thanks for sharing this powerful video. Love the photos.

Anonymous said...

A most interesting video.

It's sad that so many are deceived :-(

~Ron

Felisol said...

Dear Amrita,
I guess it takes a long time to begin understanding the complexity of Indian culture.
I guess I have merely scratched the surface these years we have been friends.
I am overwhelmed by the strength of the worshipers and feel sorry for them as well.
So much struggle and pain to obtain, what can be grated for free.

Even if India still is a huge, but relatively poor nation, I find much joy and festivity going on, all around the year. Colorful mass gatherings where rich and poor can participate.
From outside it looks colorful and gathering at the same time.
May God bless you and your dear family these days.
Best wishes Felisol

Pamela said...

The blood cleanses, not water. To think that you are there to proclaim truth is wonderful. May God bless you and your family as you labor for Him.


I'd love to fly one of those kites!

JI said...

Very interesting Amrita. I didn't know too much about this festival.

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Oh how I love kite flying. That has been my lifelong passion since I was a small boy. No amount of cleansing and bathing in a river (how sacred it may seem to be) can cleanse us from our sins. "Salvation is found in no one else for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Only Jesus Christ can give us salvation by accepting Him as our Lord and savior and surrendering our lives to Him. Thanks for the inspired post. God bless you all always.