Keonthal Celebrates Baishakh Sankranti with Sweet Flour Goats
The Keonthal region recently came alive with the vibrant and joyous celebration of Baishakh Sankranti, also known as Bishu ki Saaji. This three-day festival, marking the arrival of the New Year, was celebrated with traditional fervor, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the area.
One of the unique traditions of this festival is the making of sweet goats from flour, a practice that has stood the test of time despite the changing environment. Bishu is considered the first festival of the year, and people come together to prepare a variety of delicious hill dishes to mark the occasion.
On the day of Baishakh Sankranti, locals offer prayers to their Kulishta, seeking blessings for happiness and prosperity throughout the year. Senior citizens Dayaram Verma and Pritam Singh Thakur shared that this festival has been celebrated with great joy for generations, symbolizing the start of a new year.
The festivities begin two days before Sankranti. On the first night, families prepare Siddu, a traditional dish. The following day, they make sweet flour goats, and in the evening, they prepare Askaliya. On the day of Sankranti, homes are filled with the aroma of Patande and Kheer. Additionally, a garland of rhododendron flowers is hung outside homes, believed to bring good luck.
Special prayers are held at the temples of the Kuldevta, where people gather to seek blessings. In the hilly regions, four major Saaji festivals are celebrated each year, including Baishakh Sankranti, Hariyali Sankranti in the month of Shravan, Deepawali, and Makar Sankranti. Each of these festivals holds special significance, and people pay special attention to their rituals.
Renowned writer Sherjang Chauhan highlighted a cherished tradition associated with Baishakh Sankranti. Before the festival, people visit their married daughters and sisters, bringing them gifts and festive cheer, a gesture eagerly awaited by the daughters.
Baishakh Sankranti in Keonthal is not just a festival; it’s a celebration of community, tradition, and the enduring spirit of the people.
