Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended warm wishes on the significant occasion of Bhogi, marking the commencement of the four-day Pongal festival celebrated across South India. Falling on January 13th according to the Gregorian calendar, Bhogi holds cultural and spiritual significance in states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra.
Bhogi, the first day of Pongal, is observed on the last day of the Margazhi month of the Tamil Calendar and the Agrahāyaṇa or Mārgaśīrṣa month of the Hindu Solar Calendar. This auspicious day precedes Makar Sankranti, a widely celebrated festival that marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn.
On Bhogi, a unique tradition called Kaappu Kattu is observed in Kongu Nadu houses, where leaves of Azadirachta indica, Senna auriculata, and Aerva lanata are tied to the roofs. This symbolic act signifies the renewal and protection of homes. Additionally, people engage in the practice of discarding old and derelict items, making room for new things, and embracing positive change or transformation.
At dawn, bonfires are lit using logs of wood, solid fuels, and old wooden furniture that are no longer of use. This ritual holds cultural significance, symbolizing the conclusion of the year’s accounts and the commencement of new accounts on the first day of the harvest festival that follows.
A special aspect of Bhogi is the worship of Lord Indra, seeking blessings for abundant rainfall and a prosperous harvest season. This ritual underscores the agrarian roots of the festival, emphasizing the dependence on nature for a bountiful harvest.
In Maharashtra, Bhogi is celebrated with a unique culinary tradition where people consume roti made of Bajra (millet) sprinkled with til (sesame seeds) along with a mixed vegetable gravy that includes palak, carrot, peas, green chana, papdi, and more.
As Prime Minister Modi conveys his best wishes on Bhogi, the festival serves as a reminder of the rich cultural diversity and traditions that bind communities together, fostering unity and harmony among the people of South India. The celebration of Bhogi encapsulates the spirit of renewal, gratitude, and anticipation for a fruitful harvest season.
