Harvest Festivals | 13 Jan 2025

Source: PIB 

Why in News?

• The President of India has greeted citizens on the eve of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Magh Bihu. 
• These are harvest festivals celebrated in diverse forms across the various regions of India. 

What are the Harvest Festivals in India? 

• About: They are celebrated to mark the end of the harvesting season across India under various names e.g., Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Magh Bihu, Lohri, etc. 
• Astronomical Significance: It marks the transition of the Sun into the Capricorn (Makara) zodiac sign and the start of the Sun's northward journey (Uttarayan). 
  • It represents the shift from winter to warmer months, symbolizing the end of inactivity. 
  • Unlike festivals based on the lunar cycle, it follows the solar cycle, resulting in a fixed date of 14^th January. 
• Cultural Significance: Sankranti rituals, including bathing, offering Naivedhya (food) to Lord Surya, giving charity, performing Shraddha, and breaking fast, are performed during the day.  
  • Devotees often bathe in sacred rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery. 
• Regional Celebrations: 
  • Tamil Nadu (Pongal): The four-day festival marks the rice harvest, with Tamilians decorating their homes with traditional kolams made from rice powder. 
  • Karnataka: Locals have a tradition of sharing sesame and jaggery mixture symbolising harmony and goodwill. 
    • Farming communities dress their cattle in colorful costumes and jewels, making them jump over a fire pit in a display called ‘Kicchu Haisodu’. 
  • Punjab (Lohri): Lohri involves bonfires, folk songs, and offerings like groundnuts and popcorn to the fire. 
  • Bihar: A festival called ‘Khichdi’ is celebrated and a dish of the same name (rice and lentils) is prepared. Sesame and jaggery ladoos or chikkis are distributed. 
  • Rajasthan and Gujarat: Celebrated with kite-flying competitions and festivals, including the International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad. 
    • In the evening, sky lanterns light up the skies. 
  • Assam (Magh Bihu): Magh Bihu in Assam celebrates the annual harvest and marks the beginning of the Assamese new year.