A harvest festival is an annual celebration which 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 throughout the world.Harvest festival is celebrated across different parts of India in different names.
In Tamil Nadu harvest festival- Sankrant is called by the name of ‘Pongal’, which takes its name from the surging of rice boiled in a pot of milk, and this festival has as much or more significance than even Diwali. It is very popular particularly amongst farmers. Farmers and people all across tamil nadu celebrate by cooking the rice and pulses to form the dish called as “pongal” and serve it to “SUN” as GOD.Like tamil nadu in Andhra Pradesh, it is celebrated as a three-day harvest festival Pongal. It is a big event for the people of Andhra Pradesh. The Telugus like to call it ‘Pedda Panduga’ meaning big festival. The whole festival lasts for four days, the first day Bhogi, the second day Sankranti, the third day Kanuma and the fourth day, Mukkanuma.Kite flying has been associated with this festival and its internationally recognised. Onam which is celebrated during August-September is the famous harvest festival in Kerala
In Uttar Pradesh, it is celebrated as ‘Khichiri’. Taking bath in the holy rivers is considered most auspicious during this day. In Bengal the celebrations are held at Ganga Sagar river which is believed vivified the ashes of the sixty thousand ancestors of King Bhagirath and you can find lot of pilgrims from all across the India. Its also celebrated in Punjab,Gujarat,Maharashtra, Bundelkhand, Assam, and in all parts of India.
We wish you and your family and children a very happy harvest festival!!
