Context:
The President of India has greeted citizens on the eve of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Magh Bihu.
Harvest Festivals in India:
- Celebrated to mark the end of the harvesting season across India
- Significance – Marks the transition of the Sun into the Capricorn (Makara) zodiac sign and the start of the Sun’s northward journey (Uttarayan).
- Unlike festivals based on the lunar cycle, it follows the solar cycle, resulting in a fixed date of 14th January.
Regional Celebrations:
- Tamil Nadu – Pongal (4-day event dedicated to the Sun God marks the Sun’s journey northward)
- Punjab – Lohri (Involves bonfires, folk songs, and offerings like groundnuts and popcorn to the fire)
- Uttar Pradesh – Kicheri
- Rajasthan and Gujarat – Uttarayan (Celebrated with kite-flying competitions and festivals, including the International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad)
- Assam – Magh Bihu (It celebrates the annual harvest and marks the beginning of the Assamese new year)
- Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh -Makar Sankranthi
- Andhra Pradesh – Pedda Panduya
- West Bengal – Poush Sankranti
- Jammu & Kashmir – Shishur Sankraat
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
Consider the following pairs:
Traditions: Communities
1. Chalia Sahib Festival: Sindhis
2. Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra: Gonds
3. Wari-Warkari: Santhals
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2017 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) None of the above
Answer: (a)