On the auspicious morning of 13th January, our seniors celebrated the occasion with much fun and gaiety. It is a harvest festival that is celebrated in India to declare the end of winter and anticipate a bright and rewarding summer! Lohri can never be complete without folk dance and music which our seniors love to perform and are extremely good at it! They were dressed brilliantly as they sang songs in praise of Lohri Goddess and God of Fire, Agni, asking for blessings and prosperity for all. The prayer songs were then followed with Prashad distribution. Prashad included sesame seed, jaggery gajak, peanuts, puffed rice, and popcorn.
On 14th January Makar Sankranti and Pongal were celebrated by our seniors following the tradition. Seniors gave speeches on Makar Sankranti explaining why it is celebrated in India. Makar Sakranti is also known as Uttarayan and is customarily celebrated to worship Surya Devta or Sun God to pave a way for a profitable summer. Makar Sankranti is also known as “Daan Day” – a day of compulsory donation, even the poorest of the poor donate at least his/her portion of the food like Rice and Dal. Otherwise, people also donate many items like blankets, rice, sesame products in bigger quantities in the Northern part of India. Traditionally Kites were made and flown outside in India, here in our locations, seniors and staff made beautiful kites and displayed it on the wall.
Seniors and Staff hope for a brighter 2022 with good Health and Peace!!
