Happy Makar Sankranti

Today Jan 15th, the Makara Sankranti is commemorated all over India, but no many people are aware of the astronomic and astrological importance of this date. As a matter of fact, Makara Sankranti, like no other commemoration in India, is ruled by the Sun calendar, so the dates are fixed, which is the opposite for commemorations that follows the Moon calendar, where dates are always mutable. Moreover, for those emancipated yogis, who are ready for a transition to higher sphere of consciousness, this auspicious moment is highly venerated, for it is believed that this actual time is when the gates for the stairway to heaven are broad opened for the few successful transcendentalists.

"Makar Sankranti marks the beginning of the Sun's journey to the Northern Hemisphere (Makara raasi ), signifying the onset of Uttarayana Punyakalam. A day of celebration all over the country, it day begins with people taking holy dips in the water and worshipping the Sun. Customarily, this period is considered as an auspicious time - Bhishma of Mahabharata chose to die during this period. Bhishma fell to the arrows of Arjun, with the boon to choose the time of his death; he waited on a bed of arrows to depart from this world during this period. It is believed that those who die in this period have no rebirth."

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"The Virgin of the Sun God"

If you ever wonder how Celestial beings like Gandharvas or Apsaras would sing, you will now have the opportunity to know it. Born in Cajamarca, Peru, Yma Sumac’s voice, will take you to a closer encounter with that sublime realm... In the clip below is a fascinate presentation by "The great Peruvian soprano/mezzo/alto/tenor, as she appeared in "Secret of the Incas," a 1954 film set largely at Macchu Picchu in Peru. She may be lip-syncing, but she recorded the original track and her voice is incredible. She's singing the first cut from her first album, "Voice of the Xtabay"

Here, Yma Sumac singing Inty" (Virgin of the Sun God):




This is another version in B & W:




In the clip below, is yet another fascinating presentation by Yma Sumac "at the second cut on her first album "Voice of the Xtabay" near Macchu Picchu at the conclusion of the 1954 movie "Secret of the Incas." Notice Charleton Heston's brief appearance; his wardrobe was the inspiration for Indiana Jones forty years later! This film has never been released on VHS or DVD":

Yma Sumac sings "Ataypura" (High Andes:





Yma Sumac’s Biography