Bhogi: Its Significance and How Do people Celebrate Bhogi?

S Venkateshwari
Bhogi: Its Significance and How Do people Celebrate Bhogi?


On the first day of the four-day pongal festival, Southern india celebrates bhogi, one of the major Hindu harvest festivals. It is largely celebrated in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, tamil Nadu, and karnataka in the Southern states in commemoration of Lord Indra, the god of Rains & Clouds. Farmers pray to Lord indra for blessings such as favorable rainfall, a bountiful crop, and prosperity. Consequently, Indran is another name for the day.

The Background and events of the bhogi Festival

Why do we celebrate bhogi, and what does it mean?  The festival of bhogi is said to be devoted to Lord Indra, the god of clouds and rain. Farmers worship Lord indra on this day to grant the land prosperity, wealth, and good rains. On this day, farmers also honor their ploughs and other farming implements. people throw away their old possessions to commemorate the bhogi festival, which ushers in a new age. Mango leaves, marigold garlands, and other fresh decorations are used to clean and beautify houses.

People get dressed beautifully and take an early bath. The "Kolam," a traditional rangoli of colors and pumpkin blossoms, is created in front of their homes. Along with fresh cow dung, or "gobbemma," earthen lamps are lit over the rangolis to beautify them. It is said to remove any bad energy from and around their homes and create a happy atmosphere. On the day of the celebration, people cook meals using freshly harvested rice, sugarcane, and turmeric. Farmers also bring sweets to the sun god and thank them with kumkum and sandalwood for their farming equipment.

This day is dedicated to the "Bhogi Mantalu" ceremony, in which participants light a bonfire, or "Bhogi fire," using scrap wood and cow dung in order to purge themselves of old and undesirable things. They concentrate on starting over by throwing away their outdated and obsolete home goods, such as clothing, in the fire. Around the fire, the women of the households recite prayers and don new garments.






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