The three great harvest festivals celebrated in January have been set in motion. According to Hindu beliefs, Lohri, Makar Sankranti, and Pongal are celebrated to pay homage to the sun god (Surya Deva) and the fire god (Agni Deva).
The festivities are to mark the positive beginning of the year, spreading hope and prosperity. All three festivals share the same story, even though the names of the festivals differ based on the region where they're celebrated.
The essence of these festivals is, like every other, about togetherness, hope, and revitalisation of new and positive thoughts.
Why is Lohri celebrated?
You will find Lohri marked on calendars, a day before Makar Sankranti. January 13 is celebrated as Lohri this year. It is primarily celebrated in the Northern part of India, predominantly in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir.
Bonfires and offerings are made on Lohri to celebrate to the fullest. This is an act to pay honour to Agni, the fire god. The celebrants also recall the legacy of Dulla Bhatti, the 16th-century Punjabi folk hero, who stood up to resist the injustice of the Mughal regime and saved the two sisters, Sundri and Mundri. Many such Lohri tales are sung as songs to help the festival set its rhythm.
Among the offerings burnt in the glorious bonfire of Lohri are sesame seeds, peanuts, jaggery, and popcorn. Sweets made from peanuts, Revri, Gajak, Pinni, along with a blend of Lohri-Punjabi delicacies, also mark the day’s specials.
Crossing the gates of Makar Rashi
People will always find space for celebrations and memories, no matter what happens, and irrespective of the stories behind them.
This statement is especially true for Makar Sankranti.
In the simplest terms, the entire purpose of this celebration is to mark the movement of the sun to the Tropic of Capricorn. Astronomically, the sun moves towards the northern hemisphere, entering the zodiac sign Makara (Capricorn), marking Uttarayan.
It is believed that the sun's journey brings a feeling of renewal, elevation, and grace, which is what Makar Sankranti is about. The festival takes different names in different places. In Kerala, it's Makara Vilakku, Tamilians celebrate it as Thai Pongal, whereas in the North-East, it is Magh Bihu.
The festival is also a part of culture in Nepal as Maaghe Sankrant, in Thailand as Songkran, and in Cambodia as Mohan Songkran. Everywhere, it's celebrated with unique add-on customs, marking the departure of the long winter and the beginning of longer days, leading to a joyous harvest.
Matching Lohri, sesame-jaggery sweets are the centre of the festival. Til Gul Ladoo, Puran Poli, puffed rice Ladoo (Murmura), Til Chikki, and Khichidi varieties, and many more fill the table during Makar Sankranti.
The Brimming Joy of Pongal
The four days of Pongal are central to celebrations for Tamil Nadu and also certain parts of its neighbouring states. The first day of Pongal, Bhogi Pongal, is to welcome ‘renewal’. The second day, Thai Pongal, is the main day of the festival. The day is sweetened by the cooking of sweet rice, more colloquially termed as Pongal. The third day, Mattu Pongal is allotted to celebrate the strength and efforts of cattle involved in farming activities. The final day of celebrations is Kaanum Pongal, the day for visiting relatives and spending quality time with loved ones and family.
The celebrations are remarkable with the vibrant line-art of Kolams, drawn using rice powder. They symbolise prosperity and highlight the colourful nature of the whole festival.
