Of Lohri, and other popular harvest festivals of India

Harvest festivals form an integral part of India’s culture, and have been celebrated over the centuries in the country. Although, over the years, most of the traditions have evolved, you must experience the cheer they bring. While Lohri is the most popular of these festivals, here is a dekko at more such vibrant harvest festivals of India.

It’s a popular harvest festival celebrated in Punjab as well as some other parts of the country. It marks the onset of harvest season, and also marks the arrival of new year. Places like Ludhiana, Amritsar, Delhi, Chandigarh also celebrate this vibrant occasion with much enthusiasm and vigour. To beat the chills of winter, families gather around a bonfire, sing together, and have fun in the evening. It is celebrated in the month of January every year.

Onam is the official state festival of Kerala; it is during this time that the state's art and culture is on full display. It is celebrated in the month of August-September, and if you are in Kerala during this time, make sure you too join the celebrations. This harvest festival is celebrated for 10 days, when people decorate the entrance of their house with floral rangoli, and people masquerading as tigers take to the streets in the evening to mark this occasion.

It is a sacred harvest festival celebrated by all castes and creeds. It is very much similar to Onam, but lasts for four days, of which the second day is considered to be the most auspicious one. During this occasion, devotees cook the Pongal dish in open air, as an offering to the Sun God. The four joyful days that mark Pongal festivities are believed to bring happiness into the lives of people and hold promises of new beginnings. It is also celebrated in the month of January.

It is also a harvest festival and, as its name suggests, Makar Sankranti falls in the month of January. Celebrated across the country in different names, this occasion marks the first transition of the sun, a new beginning, after the winter season. This auspicious festival, just like other harvest festivals, is about people offering thanks to the Sun God.

Typically celebrated in the month of April, Baisakhi marks the beginning of the harvest season in Punjab. It also marks the first solar month as per the Punjab calendar, and is celebrated with much enthusiasm. During this time, people celebrate and shout Jatta Aayi Baisakhi, and march towards their farm lands. To experience this festival to the fullest, join Baisakhi celebrations in villages of Punjab, which is gorgeous, and a thing to experience and witness.