Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal: History and Significance

Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal: History and Significance: Hello Everyone, Today I am going to share some interesting facts on the Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal: History and Significance. Lohri as we Indians know is the pride festival of Punjab, which comes around the month of January, which comes during the perfect weather of winter as the Punjabis lit their bonfire & dedicate their first harvest.

Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal: History and Significance

It’s not only celebrated by the Punjabis but also by the people of Haryana and Delhi. Makar Sakranti is one of the vital festivals for the Indian people, especially for the Hindu people. It’s celebrated by both the Indians as well as by the Nepal people as they celebrate because of their first harvest & dedication to their god Surya.

Pongal is also a festival where the people dedicated themselves to their first harvest. Its specially celebrated in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu & it’s one of the grandest festivals in Tamil Nadu, where they boil their first harvest rice in a colorful, decorated pot. 

Therefore, the above festivals are celebrated in the month of January & the most common in all the above three festivals is that all the festivals are about dedicating their first harvest.

History & Significance of Lohri

History: Lohri is the celebration of the arrival of longer days after the winter. In ancient times Lohri was celebrated at the end of the traditional month when winter occurs. Lohri is an ancient mid-winter festival originating in regions near the Himalayan mountains where winter is colder than the rest of the subcontinent.

why is lohri celebrated

The significance of the festival is both as a winter crop season celebration and a remembrance of the Sun God, Surya. Lohri songs mention the Indian Sun god asking for heat and thanking him for his return. The day after Lohri is celebrated as Maghi Sangrand. Punjabis celebrate it on the last day of the month during which winter takes place happy lohri.

History & Significance of Makar Sakranti

History: According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that Sankranti — after whom the festival is named — was a God, who killed a demon called Sankarasur. In India, it is considered to be a date from when the sun begins to move north, as, before Makar Sankranti, the sun was shining on the southern hemisphere. The Hindus believe this. According to the Mahabharata, Bhishma Pitamah had waited for the sun to be in the period of auspiciousness to embrace death.

why is Makar Sakranti celebrated

Nepal is celebrated differently in various cultures but the common practice on the day of Makar Sankranti is flying colorful kites. This festival is dedicated to the Hindu religious sun god Surya. Makara Sankranti is important for spiritual practices and people take a holy dip in rivers, especially Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri. The bathing is believed to result in the absolution of past sins. 

History & Significance of Pongal

History: Pongal celebrations date back at least 2,000 years old as evidence suggests that it was celebrated even during the medieval Chola Empire days. Traditionally it is a day to thank and appreciate the Sun God for helping in growing crops by providing energy for its growth as the farmers’ livelihood depends on it. Pongal is one such festival, that is celebrated to thank the Sun God and Lord Indra for helping farmers in getting better-yielding crops. It is one of the most important festivals for the Hindu families in Tamil Nadu that is celebrated for four days. Pongal is also the name of a dish that is made at this festival.

why is Pongal celebrated

The period is referred to as Uttarayan Punyakalam which bears special significance in Hindu mythology and is considered extremely auspicious. It is believed, this is the period when the Devas wake up after a half a year-long slumber during this period and bestow wealth and prosperity on earth. On this auspicious day, the Tamils decorate their homes with banana and mango leaves. They also decorate their houses using rice flour decorative patterns.

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Also Read:

• Festivals in India
• Hampi Festival Celebration