| Bhogi | |
|---|---|
 Bhogi fire at Sri Balakrishna Towers, Gorantla, Guntur | |
| Official name | Bhogi |
| Also called | Bhōgi, Lōhri |
| Observed by | Hindus in North India, South India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia[1] |
| Type | Seasonal, traditional |
| Significance | Midwinter festival |
| Celebrations | Bonfire |
| Observances | Bonfire |
| Date | Last day of Agrahayana month of Hindu calendar |
| Related to | Makar Sankranti Bihu (Bhogali / Magh / Bhogi in Tamil, Telugu) lohri |
Bhogi[a] is the first day of the four-day Sankranti festival. It falls on the last day of Agrahāyaṇa or Mārgaśīrṣa month of Hindu Solar Calendar, which is 13 January by the Gregorian calendar. It is the day before Makar Sankranti, celebrated widely in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra.[2][3]
On Bhogi, people discard old and derelict things and concentrate on new things causing change or transformation. At dawn, people light bonfires with logs of wood, other solid-fuels, and wooden furniture at home that are no longer useful. This marks the end of the year's accounts and the beginning of new accounts on the first day of the harvest on the following day. Lord Indra is worshipped during the Pongal festival for the blessing of rains.[4][5][6]
Kaappu Kattu
[edit]Kaappu kattu is a traditional practice observed in the Kongu region, wherein leaves of Azadirachta indica (Neem), Senna auriculata (Avaram), and Aerva lanata (Poolappu) tied along the roofs and walls of houses and residential areas. The term "Kaappu Kattu" originates from the Tamil word "kappu," meaning "to secure" or "to protect."
The primary objective of Kaappu Kattu is to ward off evil forces and malevolent spirits, thereby ensuring the protection and well-being of the inhabitants.
In Maharashtra, people eat roti made of Bajra sprinkled with til and mix vegetable gravy which includes palak, carrot, peas, green chana, papdi, etc.
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Dhoraisingam, Samuel S. (2006). Peranakan Indians of Singapore and Melaka: Indian Babas and Nonyas—Chitty Melaka. ISBN 9789812303462.
- ^ "Bhogi 2022: What Bhogi Means? How Is It Celebrated?". Sakshi Post. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ^ Srih, Sri Sri Rangapriya Sri (23 March 2019). Festivals of Bharata. Bharatha Samskruthi Prakashana. ISBN 978-93-89028-69-0.
- ^ "About Bogi Festival | Bhogi Festival | Bhogi Celebrations". templesinindiainfo.com. 1 January 2017.
- ^ "bhogi pandigai: Bhogi Pandigai 2022: Check date, time & significance of Bhogi Pandigai". The Times of India. 13 January 2022.
- ^ Murthy, Neeraja (13 January 2020). "Citizens speak about the change they would want to see this Bhogi". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
 | This article related to an Indian festival or holiday is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
| This article about the culture of India is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This Hinduism-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This Tamil-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |