The Harvest Festivals In India: From Lohri to Hornbill

India is a diverse country full of numerous cultures, religions, and delicacies. Amidst its hustle and bustle and vibrant colours, the harvest festival in India is a reflection of its heritage. They are not only celebrated enthusiastically throughout the country but are also embedded with numerous fascinating mythological stories. Due to different climates and cropping seasons and patterns, India celebrates a plethora of harvest festivals all year round. 

Also Read: Crop Production and Management

List of Harvest Festivals in India with States  

Here are a few important harvest festivals of India along with where it is majorly celebrated.

Harvest festival	States in which it is celebrated
Lohri	Punjab, Haryana, Delhi
Makar Sankranti or Pongal	Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Himachal, West Bengal, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Puducherry
Bihu	Assam
Onam	Kerala
Baisakhi	Punjab, Haryana, Delhi
Nuakhai	Odisha
Vaisakha	Bihar
Chhath Puja	Bihar, Jharkhand & Uttar Pradesh
Pongal	Tamil Nadu
Hemis	Ladakh
Ugadi	Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka & Telangana
Gudi Padwa	Maharashtra, Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh
Vishu	Kerala, Karnataka
Dree	Arunachal Pradesh
Hornbill	Nagaland
Ka Pomblang Nongkrem	Meghalaya
Wangala	Meghalaya, Assam
Karam	Jharkhand
Nabanna	West Bengal

Also Read: Regional Festivals in India

What is a Harvest Festival? 

A harvest festival in India is a traditional celebration of values, emotions, and the common agricultural tradition. It marks the end of the growing season and the gathering of crops. Generally, this yearly celebration occurs around the time of the main harvest season of a particular region. It is observed in the autumn season and includes grand traditional feasts, religious ceremonies, and celebrations.

Interestingly, the customs and traditions involved in the celebration of the harvest festivals in India depend on the region. Regardless of these differences, the sense of togetherness in the community and the urge to live harmoniously remains constant.

Also Read: Class 10 Agriculture Notes

Important Facts About Indian Harvest Festivals 

Let us now explore the different harvest festivals in India in detail.

Makar Sankranti 

• Makar Sankranti is among India’s oldest and most vibrant harvest festivals.
• It is mainly celebrated in the states of Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, and Punjab.
• On this day, celebrations are accompanied by bonfires, music, kite flying, and traditional music. 
• It also signifies the entry of the sun into the zodiac sign of Makara or Capricorn.
• It is known as Uttarayan in Gujarat, Maghi in Punjab, Magha Saaji in Himachal Pradesh, Kicheri in Uttar Pradesh, and Pongal in Tamil Nadu. 

Also Read: Makar Sankranti Festival 2024: Date, Time, Story, and Significance 

Onam 

• Onam is celebrated in Kerala and marks the arrival of Mahabali. 
• On this day, people decorate the entrances of their homes, wear new clothes, prepare traditional food, and celebrate with traditional music. 
• People also eat traditional Malayalee food such as Rasam, Avail, parippu curry, Payasam, and so on.

Baisakhi

• Baisakhi, also known as Vaisakhi, is mainly celebrated in Punjab and Haryana.
• On this day, people offer their respects and thank god for a bountiful harvest.
• People wear new vibrant clothes, sing traditional songs, and eat and enjoy Baisakhi fairs. 

Lohri

• Lohri is celebrated in Punjab and marks the end of the winter season. 
• It is celebrated the night before Makar Sankranti.
• People gather around the holy fire, make offerings, eat traditional food, and appreciate the prosperous harvest of sugarcane. 

Also Read: Lohri Festival 2024: Date, History, Significance, and Rituals

Ladakh Harvest Festival 

• It is observed in Ladakh, Zanskar, and Kargil. 
• On this day, monasteries and stupas are decorated.
• Pilgrimages are made to the Thangka of Kyabje Gombo.
• Numerous dramas or chhams are also performed to make people aware of the teachings of Buddha.

Bihu

• Bihu or Magha Bihu is celebrated in the Indian state of Assam every April. 
• It signifies the Assamese New Year. 
• On this festival, people enjoy Uruka, the communal feast, burn mejis or pavilions made of clay and hut, wear traditional dresses, and do Bihu dance. 

Also Read: Assam Bihu Celebration: History, Dance Form, Significance

Ka Pomblang Nongkem 

• The festival is celebrated in Meghalaya during which people worship Goddess Ka Blei Synshar. 
• The festival includes animal sacrifice and the Nongkrem dance that is performed with swords. 
• The two prominent features of the festival include the Pemblang ritual and the Tangmuri ceremony.

Nabanna 

• Nabanna is celebrated in West Bengal in the Bengali month of Agrahayan.
• On this day, farmers harvest rice and offer the first few grains to Goddess Lakshmi to seek her blessings and offer gratitude. 
• The famous Nabanna fair and Payesh and the focus of the attraction.

Nuakhai 

• Nuakhai, also known as Nuakhai Parab or Nuakhai Bhetghat, is celebrated in Orissa. 
• Nua means new in the regional language and Khai means food.
• It is observed to honour the passing of the old days and welcome new days full of hope and prosperity. 

Pongal 

• Pongal is also known as Makar Sankranti and is celebrated in Tamil Nadu.
• It is a type of Thanksgiving festival in which people express their gratitude to Mother Nature for a prosperous harvest.
• It lasts four consecutive days during which people decorate their houses and eat traditional food. 

Also Read: All About Pongal Festival 2024: Date, History, and Significance

Vishu 

• Vishu is observed in Kerala or Karnataka. 
• It is celebrated on the first day of the Malayalee New Year. 
• People eat Vishukkani, made of yellow konna flowers, betel leaves, jackfruit, golden lemon, golden cucumber, etc.
• People also worship Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna with great enthusiasm.

Gudi Padwa 

• Gudi Padwa is celebrated at a grand scale in Maharashtra and some parts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh where it is known as Ugadi. 
• It marks the beginning of a new prosperous year.
• It also signifies the end of the rabi crop during which fruits like mango are harvested. 
• People also eat traditional food such as shrikhand and puran poli. 

Wangala

• Wangala is celebrated in Assam and Meghalaya and marks the arrival of winter.
• 100 drums are performed by the Garo tribes of northeast India. 
• Moreover, people worship the Sun God accompanied by women dancing and men playing the drums. 

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