Harvest season is celebrated with different names in our country – Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Lohri, Uttarayan, Bihu, Maghi, and Khichdi, to name a few.
January is not just about celebrating the New Year; it’s a month of harvest festivals in many states across India. These are occasions to offer gratitude, celebrate abundance, and get together as communities. Some harvest festivals also have religious and spiritual significance. Let’s look at how the harvest season is celebrated across the length and breadth of our diverse country.
Pongal
State: Tamil Nadu
Pongal is a four-day festival celebrated mainly in Tamil Nadu to express gratitude for a bountiful harvest. It is also celebrated in Sri Lanka, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. Let’s look at the festivities in detail.
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- Day 1 (Bhogi Pongal):
On this day, people throw away their old possessions. A bonfire is also lit to signify fresh beginnings.
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- Day 2 (Surya Pongal):
Considered to be the main day of the festival. As the name suggests, it is dedicated to Sun God. The traditional Pongal dish (made of boiled rice, jaggery/sugar and lentils) is offered to Lord Surya on this day. Streets and homes are also decorated with colourful Kolams (rangolis).
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- Day 3 (Mattu Pongal):
Cows and bulls were the backbones of the agrarian society of the yore, and in continuance with the tradition, farm animals are worshipped on the third day.
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- Day 4 (Kannum Pongal):
This is the day when people meet up with their extended family members and friends. Like all get-togethers, this day is celebrated by enjoying good food and playing games.
Makar Sankranti
States: Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
Makar Sankranti, which is locally known as Sankranti is one of the most important festivals in these two states. Like Tamil Nadu, it is celebrated over four days. It marks the beginning of Uttarayana, the movement of the Sun in the northern direction. The festival is called Makar Sankranti because the Sun enters the zodiac sign Capricorn on this day.
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- Day 1 (Bhogi):
People wake up before sunrise and light bonfires to reduce old, unused items to ashes. Regi pallu (jujube) is showered on children to protect them from all kinds of negativity and evil. People meet their loved ones and exchange traditional sweets like ariselu (made of rice flour and sesame seeds).
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- Day 2 (Makar Sankranti):
Houses are decorated with beautiful rangolis and cow dung is sprinkled on them to keep evil spirits away. People also fly kites on their terraces and compete with each other. People also bathe in sacred rivers to purify themselves, pray to the Sun God and feed the poor and crows.
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- Days 3 and 4 (Kanuma & Mukkanuma):
Cows are fed. On the Mukkanuma day especially, farmers offer gifts to their cattle and also pray to elements like soil and water for a good harvest.
Lohri
State: Punjab
Lohri is mainly celebrated in Punjab but also in parts of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Delhi. It marks the end of winter and the beginning of longer days. It is also celebrated as a token of gratitude for a good harvest and to pray for abundance in the coming year.
A bonfire is lit in the evening, and Bhangra, the traditional dance form of Punjab, is performed around it. People cook and exchange traditional dishes like Sarson ka saag and Makki di roti, along with sweets like rewri, gajak, and gur-gur pa. On Lohri, money is also given to newlyweds and newborn babies.
Bhogali Bihu
State: Assam
Bhogali Bihu, also known as Magh Bihu, is celebrated after the harvest of Assam’s main crops, such as rice, mustard, and sesame. It is celebrated over three days.
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- Day 1 (Uruka):
People build huts of bamboo and banana leaves.
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- Day 2 (Bihu):
Prayers are offered, and traditional dances and songs are performed around the Bihu fire.
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- Day 3 (Maas Sankranti):
People celebrate with their near and dear ones by exchanging sweets and delicacies.
During the festival, a traditional feast called the “Feast of Fire” is also prepared. This includes meat, fish, and many types of sweets and cakes made using banana, jaggery, sesame, and coconut.
Poush Parbon
State: West Bengal
Poush Parbon, which marks the end of the harvesting season, is celebrated to offer gratitude for the abundant harvest.
On this occasion, traditional Bengali dishes like Patishapta Pitha (made of rice and coconut) and payesh (made of rice, milk, and sugar) are prepared along with many other delicacies.
People exchange sweets with their loved ones and celebrate the day with music and dance.
Houses are decorated with rangolis, and the first fruits of the season are also offered to the gods.
Maghi
States: Punjab, Haryana, Jammu, and Himachal Pradesh
In Punjab, Maghi (Makar Sankranti) is celebrated a day after Lohri. People offer prayers and perform traditional dance and music. The traditional Punjabi dessert, Rauh di kheer (rice cooked in sugarcane juice) is also an important part of the festival. Fairs are also held at many places across the state.
In Himachal Pradesh, people offer prayers to the Fire God. Houses are cleaned and decorated, and Lohri night is also celebrated.
Khichdi
State: Uttar Pradesh
In Uttar Pradesh, many people call Makar Sankranti the ‘Khichdi’ or ‘Kichedi’ festival. On this day, people bathe in holy rivers and, as the name suggests, prepare Khichdi. The preparation of the dish has historical significance and also symbolises unity in diversity. Just as Khichdi is a blend of various ingredients, it signifies the harmonious co-existence of people from across cultures. The dish also signifies simplicity and purity.
Ghughutia
State: Uttarakhand
Makar Sankranti is known as Ghughutiya/Kale Kauva in Uttarakhand. Like Uttar Pradesh, taking a dip in holy rivers is an important part of the festival. People make a sweet dish out of flour and jaggery to mark the occasion. This is then deep-fried in ghee, strung together and worn as a necklace. This ‘necklace’ is adorned with an orange in the centre. The day begins with children wearing these necklaces and singing ‘Kale Kale’ to attract crows and other birds. The birds are fed with portions from the edible necklace. This is also seen as a warm welcome to the migratory birds who are coming back to the hills after spending the winters in the plains. There are slight regional variations in how the festival is celebrated across the state.
Uttarayan
State: Gujarat
Uttarayan is commonly known as the Kite Festival. People across the state enjoy kite-flying competitions with kites of all shapes, sizes, and colours. The aim is to cut off all other kites and keep yours flying for the longest time. The day marks the end of winter and the
beginning of summer.
A Cultural Kaleidoscope
One festival with multiple names, traditions and rituals. But the underlying spirit of Makar Sankranti is the same across the country – to herald summer and offer a prayer of gratitude for the bountiful harvest. It truly is another shining example of what India stands for – Unity in diversity!
