Gobbillu*...
a cousin from London missed
stepping on one
The second day after Bhogi festival is Makara Sankranti, also called Pedda Panduga - 'the big festival’ in Andhra Pradesh predominantly. The Sun transits into the zodiac sign of Makara rasi (Capricorn) on Sankranti as per the Hindu calendar, typically on 14th January. Being spring and harvest festival at the same time, Sankranti is also a festival of colors. Traditionally the womenfolk draw colorful rangolis (sketches/drawings) in the front portion of their homes as well as the backyards — called Muggulu in Telugu, to beautify their homesteads. Some pattern rangolis on aesthetic lines.
*Gobbillu, small balls of cow dung, are placed in the middle of the Rangolis to be worshiped with flowers, kumkum and turmeric accompanied by ritualistic folk dances by women. Gobbillu are considered as incarnation of Goddess Gauri. The festivities start with Gangireddu melam (play) by a ‘man with ox’ (Basavanna). The ox is all decked up and it performs a variety of acts and dances to the Sannai (A type of Clarinet/shehnai).
