Today is the first day of a holiday called Pongal or Makar Sankranti or Maghi. This is a holiday that is called different names and celebrated differently all over the country (and all over Delhi as well).
On this holiday, many Hindus will go to the Ganges (or stay in Delhi and go to the Yamuna River) and bathe (to clean themselves and get a new start to the new year).
Many Sikhs will visit the Gurdwara (temple) to honor the Forty Liberated Ones (Chali Mukte) that sacrificed their own lives defending an attack and pursuit of Guru Gobind Singh.
Today, some groups of people in Delhi completely clean out their homes. They collect all of their unwanted things and give them away. All of the useless household items will be burnt in a fire tonight. This day marks the start of a new cycle or a new beginning.
This day is supposed to be for domestic activities and being together with family. Please pray for new Christians in Delhi on this day. Pray that they will be together with their families for this holiday and share the love of Jesus as they work to help clean. Pray that Christians will use today to share with their friends, family and neighbors how they can really have a New Beginning by having a relationship with Jesus!! Pray that many people today will have a new beginning!
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
2 Corinthians 5:17
