India Republic Day Celebrations

Republic Day is one of the most important national festivals, celebrated with great pomp and show. India became a republic on the 26th of January, 1950. It is considered to be a remarkable day in the history of India. The nation celebrates it with great enthusiasm. From parades, accolades and various other programs to speeches by national leaders, Indian Republic Day celebrations have it all.

Republic Day in India:

You must be wondering how India celebrates its Republic Day. The dreams of several national leaders like Gandhiji and Pandit Nehru came to light on the 26th of January, 1950.

A memorable day in the Indian history, citizens celebrate Republic Day with great gusto. Delhi however, is the home of the best Republic Day celebration in the country. The martyrs of the struggle for Indian freedom, and other wars, are given respect at the Amar Jyoti. Parades, colorful state processions, and programs by school children take place at the Rajghat. The Army, Navy and Air Force also play a major role in the Republic Day celebrations by performing air jet shows, acrobats and artillery shows.

Parades however are the star attraction of the celebration. A colorful display of puppets, and men and women dressed in traditional attire, highlights the Republic Day parades in Delhi. Other parts of India also participate with great zeal. Various musical, dance, sports and theatrical programs are held in different parts of the country, like in Maharashtra, Bihar, Punjab and Chennai.

Every corner of the country gets into the patriotic mood and rejoices on this day of national importance by watching parades on television, and visiting historical places and Republic Day special fairs.

Since it a national holiday, you can plan your day well and visit government monuments and important places that are decorated grandly for the occasion. Republic Day is not only for the dreamers who lost their lives for the country’s freedom and honor, but also for the future builders, who can dream greater things for their free and democratic country: India.

About Pongal

Come January, North Indians gear up for “Lohri" celebration, Assamese get busy enjoying the “Bhogali Bihu”, Telegus of Andhra Pradesh rejoice “Makar Sankranti" festival, Gujaratis keenly await for the  festival to fly kites “Uttarayan”, and religious Tamilians get in the festive mood of “Pongal”. As per the Gregorian calendar, Pongal is celebrated on 15th January each year. It is the “harvest festival” exclusively celebrated in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, parts of Andhra Pradesh and Pondicherry. The Pongal celebration coincides with the traditional epiphany celebrations of the Tamil Catholics.

What is the history of Pongal?

Historical Evidences: The first celebration of Pongal dates back to the Sangam Age which lasted from 200 B.C. to 300 A.D. In Sanskrit Puranas, Pongal has been clearly mentioned as the Dravidian Harvest festival. During the rule of the Pallavas between 4th to 8th Century AD, people celebrated 'Pavai Nonbu' at the time of Thai Niradal. Young girls offered prayer for rain and prosperity of the country. Throughout the month of Margazhi (from December to January), they observed penance by avoiding milk and milk based products, refrained from oiling their hair and using harsh words while communicating. Womenfolk worshipped the idol of Goddess Katyayani made of wet sand. They ended their ritual on the first day of the month of Thai (January-February). It was believed that their penance brought abundant rains necessary to flourish the paddy fields. These ancient rituals and traditions gave birth to the Pongal celebration.

Mythological Stories: According to Puranas, Lord Shiva requested his bull, Nandi, to visit the earth-dwellers and request humans to take bath each day and eat only once every month. Unintentionally, Nandi made a mistake and declared that mortals should consume food daily and perform oil bath only one time in a month. This blunder angered Lord Shiva. He banished Basava from Kailash and cursed him to survive on the earth forever as a ploughing bull that would toil hard in the fields and assist people to produce more crops. Thus, Pongal celebration is associated with cattle. Another legend says that, Lord Krishna in his childhood angered Lord Indra (king of all deities). Mischievous Krishna prevented all his cowherds from worshipping Lord Indra. As a consequence, Lord Indra sent thunderstorms and clouds. It rained continuously for 3 days. Lord Krishna lifted the gigantic Govardhan Parvat with his little finger to protect innocent humans and animals from the devastating storm and flood. Lord Indra realized his mistake and begged for Lord Krishna’s forgiveness. Krishna decided to honor Indra. Thus, this day gave the birth to the Pongal celebration.

How is Pongal celebrated?

The word Pongal means “boiling over". It is the time to celebrate prosperity and offer thanksgiving to the rain and sun gods, earth, nature, animals and all those things that helped to achieve that good harvest. The Tamil harvest festival lasts for four days and each day has a special significance. 

The first day is known as 'Bhogi Pongal'. This day is observed to honor “Lord Indram - the Deity of Clouds and Rains". All houses are cleaned and whitewashed. Doorways are decorated with “Kolam". A special religious ceremony is performed before paddy harvesting. Crop growers worship the deities by smothering their sickles and ploughs with sandalwood and turmeric paste. These worshipped tools are used to cut newly harvested crops. In the evening, a special ritual called Bhogi Mantalu is performed. All the old clothes and agricultural wastes are discarded and burnt in a bonfire, marking the "start of a new life". Young girls sing and dance praising the harvest and spring gods. .

The second day 'Surya Pongal' is celebrated to honour the Sun deity. Women wake up early in the morning to draw elaborate 'Kolam (decoration done with coloured rice powder)' on the grounds of their courtyards and doorways.

About Lohri

India is the "Land of Celebration and Festivities". According to the Hindu mythology, there are 3.3 million gods and goddesses. Lohri is one of the most important Hindu festivals celebrated to honour Agni (the Vedic god of fire) at the beginning of the year. Every year, on 13th of January (as per the Gregorian calender), Lohri is celebrated with great pomp and grandeur mainly in Punjab, Haryana, parts of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu. Amidst the freezing temperature accompanied by dense fog and icy winds, North Indians seem to be getting busy with preparations for enjoying the long awaited bonfire festival “Lohri” with traditional folk songs and dances.

What is the history of Lohri? 

Religious Fact:  As per the Hindu calendar, in the mid-January, the earth starts its journey towards the sun bringing end to Paush, the coldest month of the year. According to the Shrimad Bhagawad Gita, Lord Krishna manifests his full divinity during the period of Lohri. A day later, the auspicious Makara Sankranthi helds which marks the end of the winter season. Thousands of Hindus bath in the Ganges to nullify their sins.

Social Fact: Wheat is the main winter crop in the northern parts of India. This winter (rabi) crop is sown in the months of October and harvested in March or April. Farmers and their families celebrate Lohri during January (rest period) before the cutting of crops. Thus, Punjabis and Haryanavis celebrate Lohri as the "harvest festival". Most farmers from rural Punjab consider the day after Lohri as the starting of new financial year. The Sindhi community popularly call Lohri as "Lal loee". On the festive day, children request their grandparents and aunties for wood sticks which are burnt in the bonfire.

How is Lohri celebrated?
o    Lohri Loot: On the morning of Lohri, enthusiastic children dressed in new clothes arrive at the neighbourhood doors singing praise songs on Dulha Bhatti (a legendary Punjabi rebellion alike Robin Hood who led protests against the powerful Mughal emperor Akbar) and asking for generous Lohri 'loot' in the form of money and delicacies such as sesame seeds (til) ladoos, peanuts, jaggery, and traditional sweetmeats like rewri,  gajak etc.
o    Bonfire Ritual: Lohri marks the end of the chilly winter. In the evening, after the sunset, huge logs of woods are gathered and lit in the harvested fields. True-spirited, fun-loving men and women circle around the rising flames, do parikrama (rotate around the bonfire) thrice and toss puffed rice, peanuts, and sweets into the fire, uttering  "Aadar aye dilather jaye (May prosperity arrive and poverty fade away!)". After praying to the fire god (Agni), people meet their relatives and friends to exchange greetings and prasad (offerings made to the fire god).  Hindus pour milk and water around the bonfire. This ritual is performed to honor the Sun God for his warm protection. Traditionally, the offering comprises of five main eateries: roasted sesame seeds, jaggery, gajak, popcorn, and peanuts. Then, sturdy, hearty men beat the dhol (traditional drum) announcing the starting of the festivity. Both energetic men and women dressed in colourful ethnic attire perform Giddha and Bhangra (popular folk dances) circling the bonfire.
o    Welcoming Party: Many wealthy families arrange for  private Lohri celebrations in their houses. Several  rituals are performed to rejoice the birth of a baby or arrival of a new bride. 
o    Dining Feast: Lohri harvest ceremony ends with scrumptious dinner. After merry-making throughout the day, everyone looked forward to the traditional banquet comprising of makki di roti (hand rolled bread made of millet), sarson da saag (cooked mustard greens), and rau di kheer (dessert made of rice and sugarcane juice).