It is a new year and now time for India's harvest festivals. We celebrate Makar Sankranti, Lohri, Bihu and Pongal in India. It is time to mark the farm calendars and start afresh.
People offer sweet rice made with jaggery to the Sun God. On the previous day, the house and the surroundings are cleaned and rangolis(kolam) are drawn. Fresh turmeric is plucked and placed on banana leaves. On the day of Pongal, sweet rice is prepared in an earthen pot. Sugar cane is also offered. People wear new clothes and visit their neighboring houses and temples. Pongal is celebrated by the Tamil people.
As for Kerala, it is the day of Makar Sankranti and people pray to Lord Ayyappa. Male devotees who have taken rigorous penance visit the temple in Sabarimala to pray to Lord Ayyappa and watch the 'Makara vilakku'. This is also shown live on various television channels for the general public. Hindus visit the temples and pray for a prosperous year ahead.
Uttarayana starts on the 14th of January and the next six months are considered auspicious. So, marriages and other ceremonies like Upanayanam,
House warming etc, is usually conducted during this period.
The famous Jalli Kettu is conducted in Tamil Nadu. Unlike in Spain, the bulls are not harmed or killed. However, people are often injured while trying to grab the bull. There was a legal case against this sport but in the end, it was allowed to be conducted.
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On mattu pongal day, the cows are adorned with garlands and worshipped. On the final day of Pongal, we offer rice and bananas to the crows and it is believed that our ancestors visit us to partake of this offering.
These harvest festivals remind people that all are dependent on the farmer and it is the land that nourishes the man and his animals. The farmer should not be looked down upon by the white collar officers because it is they who work hard on the land and produce enough food for all. So, such festivals must be celebrated by all to teach the children the importance of farming.
