Jan 13 Monday 2024, India: India a country with rich cultures and traditions is blessed with 3 festivals lying together at the start of the New Year sparking the spirits of people of the culture-loving nation. These rich festivals bring abundance, gratitude, and balance to the country. The union of three festivals simultaneously makes the environment positive and lively. The three festivals are the harvesting festival Lohri, the kite-flying festival Makar Sankranti, and the southern harvesting festival Pongal.
Lohri: The Fire of Gratitude
Lohri, a festival celebrated in vibrant Punjab, Haryana, and other northern parts of India, is observed on 13 January every year. The lively festival marks the beginning of longer days at the end of the winter solstice. Lohri holds a special significance for farmers as it heralds the harvest season for crops like sugarcane, wheat, and mustard. A bonfire is lit as a symbol of warmth and energy during the colder nights. But Lohri is more than that, the bonfire is believed to be a ritual that burns away negativity and embraces gratitude. This Lohri lets choose to burn away ego, grudges, and selfishness and embrace comfort, love, and peace.
Farmers pay gratitude to the Sun God and nature. What we often forget to do is pay gratitude to farmers as well. Their patience, hard work, dedication, and the immense feeling of providing for the country bring food to our plate every day. Hence, on the occasion of not just Lohri but every day we should be grateful to our mighty farmers. The farmers strive day and night without caring for the climate. The celebrations of this festival include singing gidda and and folk songs dancing around the bonfire. Why not this time we pay a visit to our farmers and celebrate with them? Give them the warmth, respect, and dignity that they deserve and strive for all year long.
Makar Sankranti: The Sky of Balance
Makar Sankranti or Uttarayan, falls on 14th January and marks the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign Capricorn (Makara Rashi). The festival also signifies the beginning of longer and warmer days as it marks the Sun’s northward journey(uttarayan).
The kite-flying tradition is a vivid representation of life itself. The beautifully crafted kites symbolize our dreams and ambitions, while the string represents the balance we must maintain to soar high. the more we let the string slack the more the kite falters and eventually snaps. It is our job as the one who has the string of our own lives that maintain grip while soaring the sky. And be cautious when we soar high because the higher we soar the more the chances are to be cut off. This Uttarayan, let us bring balance in our lives and soar high with resilience.
Pongal: A Harvest of Abundance
The Sangam of three festivals is marked with Pongal in Tamil Nadu celebrated as a four-day festival dedicated to nature, agriculture, and the Sun God. The festival’s name comes from the traditional dish Pongal, made with freshly harvested rice, milk, and jaggery. The dish rich with nutiretns symbolizes abundance. The four day festival is celebrated from 14 January till 17 January . Each day of Pongal carries an insiprational meaning:
- Bhogi Pongal: A day to discard the old and embrace the new, symbolizing renewal and growth.
- Thai Pongal: The main day of thanksgiving to the Sun God, marked by cooking the Pongal dish.
- Mattu Pongal: Honoring cattle, the silent partners in agriculture, reflecting gratitude for all contributors to life’s sustenance.
- Kanum Pongal: A day of family reunions, harmony, and joy.
Together, Lohri, Makar Sankranti, and Pongal weave a rich tapestry of culture, gratitude, and celebration across India. These festivals remind us of the importance of nature, balance, and the hard work of those who sustain us. While Lohri lights the fire of gratitude and unity, Makar Sankranti teaches us resilience and balance, and Pongal celebrates abundance and togetherness. This festive trio offers an opportunity to reflect, reconnect, and rejoice in the simple yet profound blessings of life. As we step into the new year, let us carry the spirit of these festivals in our hearts—expressing gratitude, fostering harmony, and embracing the beauty of diversity in our lives and communities. Keep Reading Questiqa India and Questiqa Bharat for more.
