Poush - e - Parbon!

 'প্রতিদিন মানুষ ক্ষুদ্র, দীন, একাকী কিন্তু উৎসবের দিনে মানুষ বৃহৎ, সে সমস্ত মানুষের সঙ্গে একত্র হইয়া বৃহৎ, সেদিন সমস্ত মনুষ্যত্বের শক্তি অনুভব করিয়া মহৎ।' [“Prōtidin mānush khudrō, deen, ekāki. Kintu Utsōber dine mānush brihōt, se sōmōstō mānusher sōnge āekōtrō hōiyā brihōt, sedin sōmōstō mōnushōtver shōkti ōnubhōv kōriyā mōhōt”] Every manushya (human) is small, poor, when alone, but at the time of festivals, manushya turns greater, united with colors, joy and the power of being with all - enlightened empowered largeness in festivity! Today is the auspicious day of Joy, celebrating the richness of winter, and nature's blessings! Makar Sankranta - or Poush -e - Parbon in Bangla, the celebration of winter.

As winter approaches the gourmet Bengali eagerly looks forward to savoring pithe, puli the delicious sweetmeats made during this time of the year. The newly harvested paddy and the date palm syrup or Khejurer Gur (Patali) becomes the most wanted item in Bengal, and it is a common sight at the Kolkata Airport or Howrah/Sealdah stations to find Bengalis living in other parts of the country holding on to that pot of patali gur with dear life to carry back home.