14 January - Pongal

 

Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in other parts of South India. The festival is dedicated to the Sun God and is a thanksgiving ceremony for the abundance of the harvest. Pongal typically takes place from January 14th to January 17th each year, coinciding with the auspicious month of Thai in the Tamil calendar.

Key features of the Pongal festival include:

1. Bhogi Pongal: The festival begins with Bhogi Pongal on January 14th, where people discard old belongings and celebrate the cleansing of the past.

2. Thai Pongal: The main day of Pongal, Thai Pongal, is celebrated on January 15th. On this day, people cook a special dish called Pongal, a sweet rice dish made with newly harvested rice, jaggery, and milk. The dish is traditionally cooked in earthen pots outdoors, symbolizing prosperity.

3. Maattu Pongal: The day after Thai Pongal is known as Maattu Pongal, where cattle, particularly cows and bulls, are honored for their contribution to farming.

4. Kaanum Pongal: The festival concludes with Kaanum Pongal on January 17th, a day when people visit friends and relatives to share the festive spirit.

5. Decorations: Homes are adorned with kolams (intricate patterns made with rice flour), and traditional music and dance performances are part of the celebrations.

6. Traditional Attire: People often wear traditional clothing, and women may decorate their hair with flowers.

Pongal is a time for families to come together, express gratitude for the harvest, and seek blessings for prosperity in the coming year. The festival reflects the rich cultural and agricultural heritage of the region.

 

14 January - Makar Sankranti

 

 

 

 

Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival that celebrates the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Makara (Capricorn). It usually falls on January 14th, although the date can vary slightly. The festival marks the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of longer days.

Key features of Makar Sankranti include:

1. Harvest Festival: Makar Sankranti is primarily a harvest festival, celebrating the abundance of crops. It is observed in different forms across various regions of India, with different names and customs.

2. Kite Flying: Kite flying is a significant tradition during Makar Sankranti, especially in states like Gujarat and Rajasthan. People engage in friendly kite-flying competitions, and the sky is filled with colorful kites.

3. Bonfires: In some regions, people light bonfires during Makar Sankranti, symbolizing the end of winter and the arrival of longer days.

4. Special Foods: Various special foods are prepared during the festival, often using newly harvested crops. In many regions, people prepare and share sweets made from sesame seeds, jaggery, and other ingredients.

5. Holy Dip: Taking a holy dip in rivers, especially the Ganges, is considered auspicious on Makar Sankranti. Pilgrims gather at sacred riverbanks to bathe and offer prayers.

6. Religious Significance: Makar Sankranti holds religious significance, and people often visit temples to seek blessings for the new season and express gratitude for the harvest.

Different states in India have their unique ways of celebrating Makar Sankranti, and the festival is known by various names, such as Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Magh Bihu in Assam, and Uttarayan in Gujarat. The diversity in celebrations reflects the cultural richness of the country.

14 January - Uttarayan festival

 

Uttarayan, also known as Makar Sankranti, is a Hindu festival celebrated in India and Nepal. It marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makar in Hindi), and it usually falls on January 14th or 15th. The festival signifies the end of winter and the beginning of longer days.

One of the main traditions during Uttarayan is the flying of kites. People, especially in the western Indian state of Gujarat, engage in friendly kite-flying competitions, known as "patang bazi" or "kite battles." The sky is filled with colorful kites, and participants try to cut the strings of each other's kites.

In addition to kite flying, people also prepare and enjoy traditional sweets made from sesame seeds and jaggery, such as tilgul (sesame and jaggery sweets). It is a time for family gatherings, feasts, and various cultural events.

Uttarayan is celebrated with enthusiasm and joy across different regions of India, each with its own unique customs and traditions.

 

14 January - Mahayana

 

Mahayana is one of the major traditions within Buddhism, representing a diverse range of beliefs, practices, and schools of thought. The term "Mahayana" translates to "Great Vehicle" in Sanskrit, indicating a path of practice that is expansive and aims at the enlightenment of all sentient beings.

Key features of Mahayana Buddhism include:

1. Bodhisattva Ideal: Mahayana places a strong emphasis on the Bodhisattva ideal. Bodhisattvas are beings who have chosen to postpone their own enlightenment to help others achieve liberation. The aspiration to become a Bodhisattva and work for the benefit of all beings is central to Mahayana practice.

2. Compassion and Wisdom: Mahayana emphasizes the cultivation of compassion (karuṇā) and wisdom (prajñā) as essential qualities on the path to enlightenment. The union of these qualities is seen as crucial for the Bodhisattva's journey.

3. Expanded Canon: Mahayana Buddhism has a larger set of scriptures compared to Theravada Buddhism, including texts like the Prajnaparamita Sutras and the Lotus Sutra. These texts provide teachings on the nature of reality, the emptiness of phenomena, and the path to awakening.

4. Emphasis on Sunyata (Emptiness): Mahayana philosophy often delves into the concept of emptiness (śūnyatā), asserting that all phenomena lack inherent, independent existence. Understanding emptiness is considered vital for achieving liberation.

5. Worship of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas: Mahayana practitioners often venerate multiple Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, and Tara are among the revered figures in Mahayana Buddhism.

6. Various Schools: Mahayana encompasses a wide array of schools and traditions, including Pure Land Buddhism, Zen (Chan in Chinese), Tiantai, and Huayan. Each school may have its specific practices and interpretations while sharing common Mahayana principles.

7. Spread to East Asia: Mahayana Buddhism became dominant in East Asian countries such as China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Each of these regions developed its distinct expressions of Mahayana practice.

It's important to note that Mahayana and Theravada are the two primary branches of Buddhism, each with its unique teachings and practices. Mahayana, with its emphasis on compassion, the Bodhisattva ideal, and the aspiration for universal enlightenment, has played a significant role in shaping the cultural and religious landscape of East Asia.

 

14 January - The Food Corporation of India was established

 

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) was indeed founded on January 14, 1965. It was established under the Food Corporations Act, 1964, to fulfill the objectives of effective price support operations, distribution of food grains throughout the country for public distribution system (PDS), and maintaining an effective strategic reserve.

FCI plays a crucial role in ensuring food security in India by procuring, storing, and distributing food grains. It also implements various government policies related to food management, procurement, and distribution.

 

14 January - NASA's Huyegans Space Craft Probe successfully landed on Titan, Saturn's largest moon

 

On 14 January 2005, the Huygens probe, which was part of the Cassini-Huygens mission, successfully landed on Titan, Saturn's largest moon. The Cassini-Huygens mission was a joint effort by NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Italian Space Agency (ASI).

The Cassini spacecraft, which carried the Huygens probe, entered orbit around Saturn in 2004 and conducted numerous studies of the planet and its moons. On 14 January 2005, Huygens separated from Cassini and descended through Titan's thick atmosphere, transmitting valuable data about Titan's surface and atmosphere. Huygens' successful landing provided scientists with valuable insights into the mysterious moon, including images of its surface and data on its composition and atmospheric conditions.

 

14 January - Hafeez Jalandhari birth anniversary

 

Hafeez Jullundhri (also spelled Hafeez Jalundhri) was a Pakistani Urdu-language poet, writer, and songwriter. He was born on  14 January 1900, in Jalandhar, British India (now in Punjab, India). Hafeez Jullundhri passed away on 21 December 1982  in Lahore, Pakistan. He is best known for writing the lyrics of the national anthem of Pakistan, "Qaumī Tarānah" (The National Anthem).

14 January - Cockfighting during the harvest festivals

 

Cockfighting, known as Seval Sandai in Tamil and Kodi Pandem in Telugu, is a traditional practice in India that primarily occurs in January during the harvest festivals of Pongal in Tamil Nadu and Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. This practice, deeply rooted in cultural and regional traditions, is both a source of entertainment and a reflection of local customs.

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Key Highlights

1. Regions of Practice:

   • Tamil Nadu: Predominantly in rural areas during Pongal celebrations.
   • Andhra Pradesh & Telangana: Particularly popular in East and West Godavari, Krishna, and Guntur districts during Sankranti.

2. Season and Timing:

   • Takes place in mid-January, aligning with Pongal (Tamil Nadu) and Makara Sankranti (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana).
   • Often spans a few days as part of larger festival activities.

3. Cultural Significance:

   • Seen as a test of skill and bravery for both the roosters and their owners.
   • A symbol of prosperity and masculinity in many rural communities.
   • Often accompanied by festive gatherings, traditional music, and food.

4. Controversies:

   • Animal Cruelty: Cockfighting often involves attaching sharp knives or blades to the birds’ legs, leading to severe injuries or death.
   • Legal Status: The Supreme Court of India and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, prohibit cockfighting. However, it continues to be practiced in defiance of the law in some areas, often with political and local support.
   • Gambling: Heavy betting accompanies these events, making them a hub for illegal gambling activities.

5. Modern Adaptations:

   • In some areas, organizers are attempting to retain the tradition while removing the more violent aspects, such as using blunt objects instead of sharp blades.