India is known as the “home of festivals” and is a vibrant country where people enjoy their celebrations fully. India is a land of diverse cultures, traditions, and festivals, and one such festival that holds immense significance in Indian culture is the Harvest Festival. Harvest festivals celebrate the end of the crop season and the beginning.
It is a time for farmers to rejoice, express gratitude to the almighty for the abundance of crops, and seek blessings for a bountiful future. Harvest festivals in India are celebrated with much zeal and enthusiasm across different states, communities, and religions.
In this article, we will take a look at the top 20 popular Harvest Festivals in India:
1. Lohri
Lohri is a harvest festival that is celebrated mainly in the northern states of Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi. It is celebrated on 13th January every year and marks the end of the winter season. People light bonfires, sing folk songs, and enjoy traditional Punjabi delicacies.
2. Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti, also known as Pongal, is celebrated in various states of India, such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
It is celebrated on 14th January every year and marks the rotation of the sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn. People take a dip in holy rivers, fly kites, and relish traditional dishes like khichdi, tilgul, and gajak.
3. Bihu
Bihu is a harvest festival celebrated in Assam in three parts – Bohag Bihu, Kati Bihu, and Magh Bihu. Bohag Bihu, also known as Rongali Bihu, is celebrated in mid-April and marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year. People wear traditional attire, perform the Bihu dance, and enjoy feasts of pitha, larus, and meat dishes.
4. Onam
In Kerala, a harvest festival known as Onam is observed. It is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Chingam (August-September) and marks the homecoming of King Mahabali.
People decorate their homes with flowers, participate in snake boat races, and enjoy traditional Onam sadhya consisting of rice, sambar, avial, and payasam. Read More: Onam Festival of India: What’s It All About?
5. Baisakhi
Baisakhi is a harvest festival that is celebrated in the state of Punjab and parts of Haryana and Delhi. It is celebrated on the 13th or 14th of April every year and marks the beginning of the new agricultural season.
People visit Gurudwaras, perform Bhangra and Gidda dance, and relish traditional dishes like Sarson ka saag and Makki ki roti. Read More: Baisakhi Celebration in Punjab – Festival Guide Dates
6. Nuakhai
Nuakhai is a harvest festival that is celebrated mainly in the state of Odisha. It is celebrated on the Panchami Tithi of the lunar month of Bhadraba (August-September) and marks the beginning of the new crop season.
People offer the deity the first crop of the season and enjoy a feast consisting of rice, Dalma, and sweets.
7. Vaisakha
Vaisakha is a harvest festival that is celebrated mainly in the state of Bihar. It is celebrated on the first day of the Hindu month of Vaisakha (April-May) and marks the beginning of the new crop season.
People offer the deity the first crop of the season and enjoy a feast consisting of sattu, litti, and chokha.
8. Chhath Puja
Traditionally celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, Chhath Puja is a major harvest festival. It is celebrated on the sixth day of the Hindu month of Kartik (October-November) and is dedicated to worshipping the sun god.
People offer arghya (water) to the sun god, take a holy dip in rivers, and enjoy traditional dishes like kheer, thekua, and laddu.
9. Pongal
Pongal is a harvest festival that is celebrated mainly in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is celebrated for four days in the Tamil month of Thai (January-February) and is dedicated to the worship of the sun god.
People decorate their homes with rangolis, cook sweet Pongal, and offer it to the deity. Read More: Why is the Pongal Festival Celebrated? See How South India Celebrates Harvest Festival
10. Hemis
Hemis is a harvest festival that is celebrated in the state of Ladakh. It is celebrated in the Hemis Monastery in June-July every year and marks the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism.
People perform traditional dances like Cham, dress up in colourful attire, and enjoy traditional Ladakhi cuisine. Read More: Hemis Festival Ladakh Detailed Information – Date, Attractions
11. Ugadi
Ugadi is a traditional holiday that is celebrated for an entire day. It is thought that today is lucky for beginning new endeavours.
The festival’s enthusiasm and excitement demonstrate its significance even now. The city is covered in decorations and rangolis of all various colours. The celebration celebrates the beginning of a new era.
12. Holi
Holi is a celebration of the harvest and is one of the most vibrant harvest celebrations held anywhere in the globe.
The unique celebration celebrated in March and decorated with colour and water is well-known throughout the nation. Colourful water fights and other celebratory activities take place for two days.
Explore More:
- A Guide to India Holi Festivals 2024
- The Fascinating Story of Lathmar Holi: Date, Customs, and History
13. Gudi Padwa
The harvest festival known as Gudi Padwa celebrates Maharashtra’s new year. Mangoes and other fruits are picked during Gudi Padwa, which marks the harvest and conclusion of the Rabi crop for the season.
Mango and Neem leaves are also used to produce the traditional Gudi or bamboo doll, then hung in the entranceway.
14. Vishu
The Vishu festival is best described as a grand celebration of worshipping Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna, big family meals, nighttime prayers, and fireworks.
This intriguing harvest festival is observed during the Malayalee New Year’s opening day. Housewives create Vishukkani, a variety of traditional dishes served to Gods.
15. Dree Festival
The Dree Festival is one of the most well-known events in Arunachal Pradesh since it commemorates an important time of year for the Apatani tribe – harvest season.
Every year on July 5th in the Ziro area of Arunachal Pradesh, the festival of Dree is marked by sacrifices and prayers.
Arunachal Pradesh Package: 7 Nights 8 Days Assam and Arunachal Travel Itinerary
16. Hornbill
Hornbill is a harvest festival that is celebrated mainly in the state of Nagaland. It is celebrated every year in the first week of December and is dedicated to the Hornbill bird, considered sacred by the Nagas.
People participate in traditional dances, enjoy traditional Naga cuisine, and witness the Hornbill International Rock Festival. Read More: Hornbill Festival Nagaland 2023 – Date, Ticket, Permits, Attractions
17. Ka Pomblang Nongkrem
Ka Pomblang Nongkrem is a harvest festival that is celebrated mainly in the state of Meghalaya. It is celebrated in November every year and is dedicated to the worship of the goddess Ka Blei Synshar.
People perform traditional dances like Shad Nongkrem, dress up in colourful attire, and enjoy traditional Khasi cuisine.
18. Wangala
Wangala is a harvest festival that is celebrated mainly in the state of Meghalaya. It is celebrated in November every year and is dedicated to the worship of goddess Saljong, who is believed to bless the crops.
People perform traditional dances like Wangala, enjoy traditional Garo cuisine, and witness the flag hoisting ceremony.
19. Karam
Karam is a harvest festival that is celebrated mainly in the state of Jharkhand. It is celebrated in September-October every year and is dedicated to the worship of the deity Karma, who is believed to bless the crops.
People perform traditional dances like Jhumar, dress up in colourful attire, and enjoy traditional cuisine.
20. Nabanna
Nabanna is a harvest festival that is celebrated mainly in the state of West Bengal. It is celebrated on the day of Vishwakarma Puja in the Hindu month of Bhadra (August-September).
People offer the deity the first crop of the season and enjoy a feast consisting of rice, fish curry, and sweets.
Conclusion
India is a country that is rich in culture and tradition and the harvest festivals celebrated in different parts of the country are a reflection of the country’s diverse cultural heritage. Each festival has its unique significance and rituals that are performed to mark the occasion.
These festivals are a time for people to come together, forget their differences, and celebrate the bountiful harvest season with joy and enthusiasm. From Makar Sankranti in the north to Onam in the south, these festivals are a reminder of the unity in diversity that exists in India.
Additional Resources:
- 10 Popular Festivals in India in September 2024
- Top 8 Flower Festivals & Events to Attend in India
- 8 Most Popular Festivals To Attend This Year In South India
- India’s 10 Famous Food Festivals and Foodie Experiences
- Top 10 Famous Festivals in April 2024 in India
- North East India’s 10 Most Popular Festivals Celebrated
- Top 10 Festivals and Events in December in India 2024
- 9 Famous Indian Festivals Celebrated in August 2024
- Top 10 Festivals Must Attend in July in India 2024
