Sankranti festival has been celebrated from ancient times as a day of fulfilment and joy. Every festival is a social occasion, arising in society, flourishing in society, and promoting the well-being of society. Every festival has been designed to promote the welfare of society.

The holy festival of Sankranti signifies change or transformation of the heart. ‘Kranti’ means transformation. Therefore, Sankranti is supposed to bring about a transformation in our lives. It is experiencing bliss arising out of the realisation of the changeless Eternal Principle. Divinity is the only principle that is changeless. God is ever blissful. In fact, He is the embodiment of bliss. Welcome God who is the embodiment of bliss. God is not satisfied with the appellations like “Karunanidhi” (the treasure house of compassion) and “Prema swarupa” (embodiment of love). God is always blissful. You should not pray to God to fulfil your umpteen desires. Just pray ‘Oh! God! Share Your bliss with me. Make me blissful!’ Never deride God as nirdaya (one without compassion). Whatever God does is for our own good. Even the sorrows and difficulties we experience are for our own good. They are preludes to happiness and bliss. If you cultivate such positive outlook, you will always be blissful. Share your happiness with all. Contrary to this, man today is keeping happiness to himself and distributing sorrow to others. This is not what we should do. ‘Suppress your sorrow and manifest inner joy’ this is the spiritual sadhana one has to undertake. When you encounter any difficulty or sorrow or restlessness, do not mind them at all. Ignore them. You are always embodiments of bliss. If you constantly contemplate on this reality, nothing will bother you.

The Sankranti festival is also an occasion, when the bullocks are decorated elaborately and taken to various houses in the village. The bullocks are worshipped and fed sumptuously as an expression of gratitude for all the hard work they have done in the fields. Even the bovine members of the household are feted. A symbolic marriage is performed between a pair of bull and a cow, naming them as Rama and Sita. They are taken along streets and made to dance to the delight of everyone. The cow named Sita is enquired, Rama is black. Do you like him? Sita would swing her head in disagreement. Then, she is counselled, ‘Please do not say no; Rama is great. He is handsome and respectable!’ Then, Sita would nod her head in agreement. (SSS Vol.42, p. 3)