Celebrated annually on 13th January, it marks the onset of winter harvest. Bonfire, Singing, and Dancing in joy for all that we receive are the key observances of Lohri.

A Bonfire is lit with the belief that its flames transmit our prayers to Sun God so that he blesses the earth with golden rays and warmth to end the cold and gloom to foster growth and abundance. 

OBSERVANCES ON MAKAR SANKRANTI

Makar Sankranti is celebrated on 14th January every year, a day following the festival of Lohri.

On this day, devotees take a holy dip in holy rivers in India with the belief that their sins are washed away. The holy dip is considered spiritually uplifting and ushers in peace and prosperity.

Sweet treats of sesame, jaggery, puff rice etc. are distributed on this day to foster a bond of peace and harmony.

OBSERVANCES ON PONGAL 

Pongal in Tamil means “to boil” and the festival is a thanksgiving celebration for the year’s harvest. Celebrated to thank the Sun God and Lord Indra (Rain God) for helping farmers in getting better-yielding crops, this harvest festival is traditionally celebrated for four continuous days starting 13th January.

The festival’s most significant practice is the preparation of the traditional “pongal” dish. The festival actually gets it’s name from this practice. “Pongal”, means “to boil, overflow”. The dish is prepared using freshly harvested rice, and boiling it in milk and raw cane sugar (jaggery) with the add-ons of dry fruits and coconut. 

To mark the festival, the pongal sweet dish is prepared, first offered to the gods and goddesses (goddess Pongal), followed sometimes with an offering to cows, and then shared by the family. Festive celebrations include decorating cows, ritual bathing and processions. It is traditionally an occasion for decorating with rice-powder artworks, offering prayers at home, temples, getting together with family and friends, and exchanging gifts to renew social bonds of solidarity.

CELEBRATING GIVING & SHARING

Celebrating and honouring the Divine energies by singing, dancing and feasting is a beautiful Thanksgiving for all the wonderful things that we receive all year round. Also meritorious deeds or donations during this period are considered fruitful. 

Every opportunity to honour the Energies of Light is an opportunity to Open the Light Within us. The more we give and share, the more we tend to receive!

Offer your gratitude to Mother Earth by participating in the celebrations of the Winter Harvest festivity. >> Click here to contribute.