India is a land of festivals, where every season is welcomed with grand celebrations, vibrant rituals and a culinary spread that can put any feast to shame. Among these, harvest festivals hold a special place, which honor the bounty of nature and the hard work of farmers. Each region celebrates the harvest in its own unique way, weaving together stories of gratitude, joy and abundance. It doesn’t matter where you are, you can participate in harvest festivals in different states of India.

Pongal (Tamil Nadu)

In the south, Tamil Nadu celebrates Pongal, a four-day festival dedicated to the Sun God and agriculture. The festival is synonymous with the boiling of freshly harvested rice in a pot of milk and jaggery while people shout “Pongalo Pongal!” Villages are decorated with kolams (rangoli designs), and bull taming competitions (the famous and controversial Jallikattu) add excitement to the festivities.

Lohri (Punjab)

One of the most vibrant festivals in India, Lohri in Punjab is a feast that must be experienced at least once! On the coldest nights of January, families and friends gather around roaring bonfires, singing folk songs and dancing Bhangra. The rituals include pouring sesame seeds, jaggery and peanuts into the fire as offerings, followed by a feast of makki di roti and sarson da saag.

makar sankranti (across India)

From Gujarat to Bengal, Makar Sankranti is a pan-India affair. In Gujarat, the sky turns into a battlefield of colorful kites, with feasts of undhiyu and jalebi taking place on rooftops. In Maharashtra, the mantra is “Tilgul Ghya Ani God Bola” (Take this sesame sweet and speak sweetly), while in Bengal, heavenly pitha (rice cakes) are offered on Paush Sankranti.

Magh Bihu (Assam)

Magh Bihu of Assam is another harvest festival similar to Makar Sankranti; It’s all about bonfires, feasts and celebrations. Also called Bhogali Bihu, Magh Bihu marks the end of the harvest season. In this festival, families gather to build meji (temporary huts) out of bamboo and reeds, which are then burned after a night of revelry and feasting on glutinous rice cakes, fish and jaggery.

Suggi Habba (Karnataka)

Suggi Habba, the equivalent of Makar Sankranti in Karnataka, is another harvest festival filled with traditions and community celebrations. Farmers decorate their bulls and cows with bright, colorful ornaments as a symbol of gratitude for their indispensable role in agriculture. Women share alu-bela – a dish made from a mixture of sesame seeds, jaggery, coconut and peanuts – as a symbol of goodwill and harmony. Suggi Habba is also marked by bonfires, traditional dances, kite flying and rituals that include offering prayers to the Sun God.

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