The Harvest Celebration
India is a land of festivals. A striking observation is that many festivals are celebrated across the country at the same time but are known by different names. A prime example is the Harvest Festival marked around January 14th.
One Event, Many Names
The astronomical event marks the sun’s entry into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makara). While the event is the same (Unity), the regional celebrations vary (Diversity).
| Region / State | Festival Name |
|---|---|
| Nationwide / General | Makara Sankranti |
| Tamil Nadu | Pongal |
| Assam | Magh Bihu |
| Punjab / North India | Lohri / Maghi |
| Gujarat | Uttarayan |
| Karnataka | Makara Sankramana |
| Bihar / UP | Khichdi Parv |
| West Bengal | Poush Songkranti |
Tip
Activity: Compare how Pongal involves boiling rice and milk, while Lohri involves a bonfire, yet both celebrate the harvest and gratitude towards nature.