Harvest Festivals of India. What does the term " Harvest Festival" mean? According to Indian history, " Harvest" first appears in the Rig Veda, describing the harvest's events. The word "Harvest" itself means "the bringing in of fruits."
There are lots of festivals in India some are celebrated nationally and some of them are regional festivals. Check list of Indian Festivals and find out the different Harvest Festivals of India celebrated in different states.
Harvest Festival is the time when the yield from the fields is maximized. Where? Pan India in several ways but mostly in the northern part where cold weather delays the spring season.
Harvest Festivals of India marks the change in the season. From monsoons to the rains, from the planting of crops to its harvest, everything is changed all through this season.
Harvest Festival is celebrated with great grandeur and joy in India like Bikaner, Mathura, Pushkar, Kullu Manali, Darjeeling, Kangra Valley, etc.
First of all, let us focus on the famous Harvest festivals of northern India - Makar Sankranti, Baisakhi, Lohri Festival. All these are celebrating a special phase of the agricultural year. In addition to all these, northern India's other minor festivals like Gangtok festival, Pushkar fair, and Guru Nanak Jayanti.
The month of Magh (January) is full of excitement and festivities as all these festivals are organized around this period. After getting familiar with these festivals, we can easily plan our trip to northern India and make our holidays more fruitful and memorable.
Harvest Festivals of India is celebrated on the occasion of Makar Sankranti and Baisakhi. Makar Sankranti, or the Day of Flowers, is the day of a complete rejuvenation of crops.
If we compare the celebrations of normal seasons in northern India with those of Makar Sankranti, we can easily understand the marked differences.
The atmosphere during the harvest period is entirely different, as one can witness in the cities like Jaipur, Gwalior, Jodhpur, and Bikaner. Farmers celebrate this season of festivities and joy with great enthusiasm and abandon.
Onam is the main and favorite festival of India, which is celebrated at various places. In the state of Kerala, it is observed on the full moon of Karthik Purnima. Onam is a dance and celebration with a lot of enthusiasm. It involves a lot of eating and drinking.
Different parts of India have their unique customs and way of celebrating Onam. The other harvest festivals of India are Bhai Photo or Baisakhi and Gala Yatra.
Bhai Phota is the festival of love and affection between a brother and sister. On this day, sisters offer their wishes to their brothers and care for them.
On Bhai Phota, there is a lot of dancing and pranayama. The Gala Yatra is a religious celebration of love and worship of the Lord Ganesha. It takes place in the month of Magh (March April), where people visit the holy temple of Ganesha and offer prayers.
Rama Festival is a famous and significant festival celebrated in many parts of northern India. Lohri celebrates the return of Rama, the king of cows, from the forest of Ayodhya to his capital at Ujjain. This is one of the biggest celebrations of northern India and is celebrated with all the fanfare and excitement.
Other than these, there are many other important festivals of India that happen in different parts of the country. Some of them are mentioned below:
This is one of the most widely celebrated harvest festivals in India. It is celebrated in Ujjain and associated with the story of Rama, who departed from the earth and went into heaven. At this festival, lots of festivities are arranged.
People take a bath in milk, and other domestic animals are decorated. Local musicians perform for the entertainment of the guests. Local produce like rice, sesame seeds, and barley are offered to Rama as gifts.
In the states of Kerala and Orissa, special ceremonies are arranged to celebrate the importance of the different tribes of India. Different festivities and celebrations characterize these tribal harvest festivals.
For example, in Orissa, 're-building of the homes' is a time for the elders of the tribe to get together and spend time together. There are many such festivities in Kerala, such as Kakadu or 'celebration of learning and music,' konatappu or 'celebration of learning and art,' and kunnamudi or 'celebration of wisdom.'
Harvest festivals in India are marked by trees and another wood burning. This is done so that the people will have an abundant supply of wood for burning.
Besides, there are special days to celebrate all the harvest-worthy things that the country has to offer. Harvest festivals of India are the only festivals that take place during the fall seasons.
However, harvest festivities throughout the year also mark the abundance of the country's resources. Fall is the best time to visit India because you will not be disappointed with the bountiful crops and the cultural activities that you will find.