Popular harvest festivals of India

Harvest festivals like Lohri, Magh Bihu, Pongal and Makar Sankranti form an important part of our country’s culture and they are celebrated with great fervour.

Lohri marks onset of harvest season and also arrival of new year. To beat the winter chill, families gather around a bonfire and celebrate. It is celebrated in January.

Makar Sankranti  marks the first day of the sun’s transit to the Makar Rashi or Capricorn. Devotees take a dip in Ganga as a sign of gratitude to the sun. A common cultural practice is making stick sweets particularly from groundnut, sesame (til) and a sugar base such as jaggery. It is symbolic of being together in joy and sorrow.

Bihu’ derives its meaning from the Sanskrit word ‘bishu’ which means “to ask for prosperity from the Gods during the harvesting season”. It is celebrated by Assamese.

Bihu also marks the end of cold and harsh winter months.

Pongal is another harvest festival celebrated in South India. Pongal originated as a Dravidian Harvest festival around 2,000 years ago.

The three days of the Pongal festival are called Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal and Mattu Pongal and the fourth day of Pongal as Kanum Pongal. Festive celebrations include decorating cows and their horns, ritual bathing and processions.