Makar Sankranti, Lohri, And Pongal: Know Dates, Celebrations, And Significance Of These Harvest Festivals

Makar Sankranti, Uttarayan, Pongal, Bihu, and Lohri are festivals connected to the harvest season, but each is celebrated uniquely—some worship fire, while others honour the sun.

On January 14, 2025, states across India will celebrate various harvest festivals with great enthusiasm and joy. These festivals mark the beginning of the harvest season and hold cultural and regional significance. In North India, it is celebrated as Makar Sankranti, the Punjabi community observes Lohri, South India celebrates Pongal, Gujarat marks Uttarayan, and the northeastern states celebrate Bihu.

Each festival is unique in its traditions and significance, united by their connection to the harvest season.

Makar Sankranti:

Makar Sankranti highlights the significance of the sun’s transition into the Capricorn zodiac sign. The relationship between the Sun and Saturn is especially notable during this festival. Devotees believe that worshipping the Sun God on this day alleviates difficulties and brings prosperity and happiness to the household.

It is also a day of ritual bathing in the Ganges River, followed by acts of charity. Such practices are said to purify both the present and future lives, erasing the negative deeds of past incarnations. Bathing and donating on Makar Sankranti are considered equivalent to performing ten Ashwamedha Yagnas and donating a thousand cows. The festival is celebrated with the flying of kites, symbolizing the joyous spirit of the harvest season.

Pongal:

Pongal is a four-day festival celebrated predominantly in Tamil Nadu. The second day, known as Thai Pongal, is the most significant. On this day, a special dish called "Pongal" is prepared using freshly harvested rice, raw milk, and jaggery in a new clay pot. During the cooking process, people allow the milk to boil over as a sign of prosperity and abundance.

This tradition of letting the milk overflow from the pot symbolises hope for material and spiritual richness in the year ahead.

Lohri:

Lohri is a festival celebrated in Punjab that signifies the harvesting of crops and the joy of a bountiful yield. The celebration includes bonfires, where people gather to thank the natural elements, such as sunlight and soil, for their contribution to a successful harvest.

Bihu:

In the northeastern state of Assam, Bihu is a harvest festival celebrated with immense zeal. The festival includes the lighting of a ceremonial bonfire outside homes, dedicated to the worship of the Fire God. This act represents gratitude for the harvest and marks the onset of new beginnings.