Recently, the nation witnessed the celebration of various harvest festivals including Lohri, Makar Sankranti and Pongal. These festivities are a tribute to the tireless efforts and zeal of millions of farmers across India. Each festival incorporates its unique traditions and rituals, and is known by different names in different regions.
Makar Sankranti: Embracing Uttarayan
Makar Sankranti signifies the sun’s movement into the Makara (Capricorn) zodiac sign along its celestial trajectory. This day announces the advent of summer and marks the beginning of Uttarayan, a six-month auspicious period for Hindus symbolising the northward journey of the sun.
Implementing an official celebration of ‘Uttarayan’, the Gujarat government has organized the International Kite Festival since 1989. The festival is celebrated under different names across the country including 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.
Rejoicing Lohri: Farewell to Winter
Celebrated primarily by Sikhs and Hindus, Lohri marks the end of the winter season and warmly welcomes the sun to the northern hemisphere. Observed on the eve of Makar Sankranti, the festival features a Puja Parikrama around a bonfire with prasad, a devotional offering made to a god. Predominantly, Lohri is considered as the festival of farmers where they express their gratitude towards the Supreme Being for fruitful harvests.
Pongal: An Overflow of Gratitude
The term ‘Pongal’ translates to ‘overflow’ or ‘boiling over’. Also referred to as Thai Pongal, this four-day-long festival is celebrated during the month of Thai, the harvest season for crops like rice. On this occasion, people express their gratitude to the divine and the land’s bounty.
Tamilians commemorate the event by drawing traditional designs called ‘kolams’ with rice powder in their homes.
| Festival | Significance |
|---|---|
| Makar Sankranti | Start of Uttarayan, sun’s northward journey |
| Lohri | End of Winter, festival of farmers |
| Pongal | Harvest season, expressed gratitude |
Makaravilakku Festival at Sabarimala
The Makaravilakku festival takes place at the sacred grove of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala. This annual seven-day festival commences on the day of Makara Sankranti, when the sun reaches the summer solstice.
The highlight of the festival is the appearance of Makarajyothi- a celestial star that becomes visible on the day of Makara Sankranthi atop Kantamala Hills. The Makara Vilakku festival concludes with the ‘Guruthi’ ritual, an offering made to placate the gods and goddesses of the wilderness.
