Bhogi Pongal 2022: Bhogi is the first day of the four-day Pongal festival known as Makar Sankranti. It is majorly celebrated in the southern states of Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
The Bhogi festival is celebrated in honor of Lord Indra who is also known as the god of rain. Lord Indra is worshiped by many farmers as he is expected to bring prosperity and happiness to the land.
Furthermore, farmers in the country worship Indra to receive a good harvest thereby bringing wealth and prosperity. They also worship their plows and other farm equipment on this day.
In 2022, the festival of Bhogi will fall on Friday, 14.
On the occasion of Bhogi, people discard their old and useless household items, wood, and clothes among others. These items are thrown into a fire which is made of wood and cow dung cakes.
The ritual is called “Bhogi mantalu” and is aimed at getting rid of old and negative things from your life and focusing on new beginnings. Women wear new clothes and chant mantras around the holy fire.
They clean their house and draw rangoli of colors and flowers in front of their house. People also decorate their house with marigold garlands and mango leaves.
It is also said to drive away all the negative energy from and around the house and make way for positive energy. A lot of agricultural waste is also burnt in the bonfire which is expected to offer heat during the cold weather which is about to end.
Bhogi is the day dedicated to Lord Indra the deity of rain and clouds. Farmers worship Indra to seek his blessings for a good harvest that would bring wealth and prosperity to them. Hence this day is also known as Indran.
People discard all old things at home on this day marking the beginning of a new era. Houses are cleaned and white-washed on this day and are decorated with marigold flowers, mango leaves and new things.
Floral designs called ‘kolam’ with freshly harvested rice flour paste and red markings are made by women of the house as per traditions. Pumpkin flowers are added to these designs as well.
Fresh cow dung cakes called ‘gobbemma’ are placed within these designs and earthen lamps are lit over them. Food is cooked with freshly harvested rice, sugarcane and turmeric on this day.
Farmers worship their plows and other equipment on this day. The instruments are smeared with kumkum and sandalwood paste and offerings are made to the Sun God and Mother Earth before the first paddy is cut on this day.
Bhogi Mantalu is a ritual that is practiced in some areas. Here a bonfire is lit with cow dung cake and wood and all old items and clothes are sacrificed in this fire. All agricultural and household waste like old mats and broom sticks are thrown into the fire.
Women of the family chant mantra and sing songs of praise of the Gods while taking rounds around the holy fire. Women wear new clothes and ornaments after taking a holy dip on this day.
Pongal Panai is a ritual that follows Bhogi, during which new earthen pots are painted and decorated with flowers and mango leaves. As a mark of the festive mood, the horns of buffaloes in the village are often painted and decorated by the local people.
This day signifies family get-togethers and meeting friends and relatives. Bhogi pallu is prepared by keeping freshly harvested rice and fruits along with money; this is then distributed among children.
This festival is marked with activities such as rangoli making and rural sports such as kite flying, cock fights and bull fighting.
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