The Roman mythology says that Ianus (Janus) as a solar
god presided over daybreak under the name Matutinus. He
was the god of doorways. His insignia were the key
which opens and closes the door. In the Forum, he had a
temple whose gates were open in times of war and closed
in times of peace. January was named for him because it
began the new year and his festival took place on
January 9, the Agonium. Nox was goddess of night.
Matutu was goddess of dawn; the name is cognate with
Poddu (the sun, day time) in Telugu. Ayanamu, which is
cognate with Ianus, in Telugu means doors which were
open in times of war and closed in times of peace. The
Sun's northward journey (T. Uttara Ayanamu) from the
tropic of Capricorn, called Samkranti (CT. Sanku
Rautri, 'beginning of contraction of night'), begins on
January 14. It is the major festival of the Andhras
which lasts four days. The third day is called Kanuma -
this word is cognate with "Agonium".
2007-02-24
13:43:24
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2 answers
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Anonymous