Important Facts For Prelims
Harvest Festivals
- 16 Jan 2024
- 3 min read
Why in News?
Recently, the Prime Minister of India has greeted people across the nation on the occasion of Harvest Festivals Makar Sankranti, Uttarayan, Bhogi, Magh Bihu and Pongal.
- Along with these festivals Rooster Fights are organized in some parts of Andhra Pradesh.
What are the Harvest Festivals in India?
- Makar Sankranti:
- Makar Sankranti denotes the entry of the sun into the zodiac sign of Makara (Capricorn) as it travels on its celestial path.
- The day marks the onset of summer and the six months auspicious period for Hindus known as Uttarayan – the northward movement of the sun.
- As a part of the official celebration of 'Uttarayan', the Gujarat government has been hosting the International Kite Festival since 1989.
- The festivities associated with the day is known by different names in different parts of the country:
- Lohri by north Indian Hindus and Sikhs,
- Sukarat in central India,
- Bhogali Bihu by Assamese Hindus, and
- Pongal by Tamil and other South Indian Hindus.
- Bihu:
- It is celebrated when the annual harvest takes place in Assam. People celebrate Magh Bihu/Bhogali Bihu to mark the beginning of the Assamese new year.
- It is believed that the festival started from the time when people of the valley started tilling the land.
- Pongal:
- The word Pongal means ‘overflow’ or ‘boiling over’.
- Also known as Thai Pongal, the four-day occasion is observed in the month of Thai, when crops such as rice are harvested and people show their gratitude to the almighty and the generosity of the land.
- Tamilians celebrate the occasion by making traditional designs known as kolams in their homes with rice powder.
What is a Rooster Fight?
- About:
- A rooster fight, also known as "Kodi Pandalu" in local parlance, involves specially bred and trained birds with sharp leg blades in a small arena, where they fight until one is killed or critically injured. Betting on these fights is common, resulting in significant sums changing hands.
- Laws Related to Rooster Fights:
- Rooster Fights are banned under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960. It includes provisions that prohibit the organization and participation in animal fights.
- Additionally, the Supreme Court of India has issued rulings banning the use of animals for entertainment purposes, including in events like rooster fights.