Harvest Festivals: India is regarded as the “Land of Festivals,” and it is a vibrant country where people celebrate with enthusiasm and delight. India is divided into 29 states, each of which celebrates harvest festivals at different times throughout the year. The first crop yield is a joy for the people, and they rejoice as if it were a festival.
A harvest festival is an annual celebration that occurs around the time of the main harvest of a given region. Given the differences in climate and crops around the world, harvest festivals can be found at various times in different places.
Festivals have traditionally been the most memorable and enjoyable aspects of a traveler’s journey across countries and continents. India’s most brilliant harvest festivals have rich mythical legends and happy celebrations, befitting the colorful nation that it is.
Different Harvest Festivals
- Makar Sankranti: The festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated in Karnataka when the Sun enters the Makar zodiac and the days begin to lengthen compared to nights.
- Maghi: In Punjab, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Maghi. Bathing in a river in the early hours of Maghi is important.
- Saaji: In the Shimla District of Himachal Pradesh, Makara Sankranti is known as Magha Saaji. Saaji is the Pahari word for Sankranti, the start of the new month. Hence this day marks the start of the month of Magha.
- Nuakhai: Nuakhai is an age-old harvest celebration in Odisha. Locally ‘nua’ means new and ‘khai’ means food. The festival is also known as Nuakhai Parab or Nuakhai Bhetghat.
- Gudi Padwa: Gudi Padwa is a grand harvest festival of Maharashtra marking the beginning of an auspicious New Year. People make rangoli designs at the entrance of their homes and decorate it with flowers and handmade doll.
- Pongal: In South India and particularly in Tamil Nadu, it’s the festival of Pongal which is being celebrated over 4 days at harvest time.
- Onam: Onam is a legendary harvest festival of Kerala celebrated with great enthusiasm in different parts of Kerala. The festival is celebrated for 10 days with the arrival of Mahabali.
- Magha Bihu: In Assam and many parts of the North East, the festival of Magha Bihu is celebrated. It sees the first harvest of the season is offered to the gods along with prayers for peace and prosperity.
- Uttarayan: Gujarat celebrates it in the form of the convivial kite festival of Uttarayan.
Importance of Harvest Festivals
Harvest festivals are thought to be the world’s earliest form of celebration. They are a method of expressing gratitude to nature for the abundance of new harvests it provides. Because India is such a diverse country, various states hold a plethora of harvest festivities.
Harvest becomes one of the most important occasions in a country that is heavily reliant on agriculture. Some of them are Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Baisakhi, Onam, and Pongal. Harvest festivals commemorate not just the ripening of the crops, but also a significant astronomical change in the solar system. They are considered fortunate times and are honored with festivities and prayers.
Harvest Festivals Of India Calendar
| Festival | Date (2023) |
|---|---|
| Makar Sankranti | 14th January |
| Baisakhi | 14th April |
| Ladakh Harvest Festival | 3rd January |
| Lohri | 13th January |
| Basant Panchami | 16th February |
| Bhogali Bihu | 15th January |
| Wangala | 13th November |
| Ka Pomblang Nongkrem | 2nd or 3rd week of November |
| Nuakhai | 11th September |
| Gudi Padwa | 13th April |
| Nabanna | Acc. to Mythological Calendar |
| Onam | 23rd August |
| Pongal | 17th January |
| Ugadi | 13th April |
| Vishu | 14th April |
| Agera | Acc. to Mythological Calendar |
| Dree Festival | Acc. to Mythological Calendar |
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