Bhogi 2025: Date, Significance and Rituals!

Bhogi is the first day of the four-day Pongal harvest festival, which is a significant celebration in the southern states of India, especially in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu. This festival is held on the last day of the Tamil month of Margazhi, marking the beginning of a new era in which people get rid of the old things and welcome new joy and prosperity in their lives.

Bhogi will fall on Monday, 13th January 2025.

Mythological Significance of Bhogi

Bhogi is observed in honour of Lord Indra, the rain god and cloud god. The farmer prays to him for a good harvest, he says that he attains richness and wealth. In some regions, it is also referred to as 'Indian'.

Bhogi Processions

On Bhogi, people remove the old stuff from their houses to mark the beginning of a new phase. The houses are properly cleaned, whitewashed, and decorated with marigold flowers, mango leaves, and other new things. Women make their traditional floral designs, called 'kolam', using fresh rice flour paste and red markings.

Farmers also seek the blessings of their ploughs and farming equipment. They apply kumkum and sandalwood paste too. They even make offerings before the Sun God and Mother Earth and then cut the first paddy.

In Bhogi Mantalu, people do in some parts by lighting a bonfire and then sacrificing old stuff and clothes, where women sing mantras, songs of glory, and chant mantras to go around the holy fire.

Bhogi is the time for family reunions, meeting friends, and celebrating with traditional activities. People prepare Bhogi pallu, a mixture of freshly harvested rice, fruits, and money, which is distributed among children. The festival also features rangoli making, kite flying, and rural sports like cock fighting and bullfighting.

Significance of Bhogi in Modern Times

Bhogi is an important day in the Hindu calendar, dedicated to Lord Indra, the god of rain and clouds. On this day, farmers pay tribute to Lord Indra, seeking his blessings for a bountiful harvest. They believe that Indra's blessings will bring them wealth and prosperity.

As a result, Bhogi is also fondly called Indran. Bhogi is celebrated under different names in various parts of India. In southern India, it's known as Bhogi Pandigai, while in Punjab and other northern states, it's celebrated as Lohri. Meanwhile, in Assam, Bhogi is observed as Maghi Bihu or Bhogali Bihu.

Despite the different names, the spirit of Bhogi remains the same - to express gratitude for the harvest and to seek divine blessings for a prosperous future.

Also read: Sankranti 2025: Bhogi to Kanuma celebrations and significance