Lohri, Makar Sankranti & Pongal are the first festivals in the calendar year for Indians
India, as a country, is so diverse that it has no dearth of festivals
throughout the year. While October and November are usually hailed as the festival season due to Durga Pujo, Dusshera, and Diwali, India’s festivals start in the very first month of the year, i.e., in January, with Lohri, Makar Sankranti, and Pongal—three festivals that are similar but also different in many ways.
How are the three festivals similar? Well, all three festivals celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of long days. What’s different are the names, regions and how the festivals are celebrated.
Lohri
Lohri is celebrated every year on the 13th of January in the northern parts of India, especially in Delhi NCR, Punjab, and Haryana. On this day, people pray, dance, and celebrate around a bonfire, which signifies warmth, hope, and renewal. Even rice puffs, popcorn and rewri are thrown on the bonfire as offerings to the god of fire. Primarily, the festival marks the end of long winter days and the sowing season for the farmers.
(Credit- HT)
Special dishes such as pinni, gajak, and til ki barfi are must-haves, whereas songs such as 'Lohri aa gayi, Lohri je dhin' and 'Lal Lal Kurti Pehni' echo during the celebration.
Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is celebrated one day after Lohri, i.e., on the 14th of January. The sun enters the sun sign of Capricorn, or Makar, and the movement of the sun from one rashi to another leads to the name Makar Sankranti. The day marks the end of the winter solstice and begins the Sun’s journey towards the north, or Uttarayan.
Given how auspicious the festival is, dips are taken in holy rivers, and kites are flown to celebrate the day. Although pan-India, Makar Sankranti is mostly celebrated in Maharashtra and Karnataka where people relish sweet dishes such as Til-Gul and Ellu-Bella.
Not to forget, many farmers also honour cattle with garlands and special feasts because the occasion marks the end of the sowing season.
Pongal
Pongal takes place in the South of India, especially in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, where the festival is four days long and arrives after Makar Sankranti. The festival is celebrated by boiling the first rice of the season with milk and jaggery. Even a dish named Pongal is relished on the day; it is made of sweetened rice and boiled lentils. The first day of the four-day festival is titled Pongal, followed by Surya Pongal, Mattu Pongal, and Kaanum Pongal.
In summary, people celebrate all three festivals to commemorate the end of winter and to honour the agricultural cycle. However, given India’s diversity, the names and manner of celebration are different as per local traditions, varying from region to region.
