2013 Sankranti, Pongal, Lohri celebrations in the US!

Jan 9, 2013: The harvest season has arrived and it is time for Indians across the globe to celebrate festivals that welcome the spring, in various versions, like Sankranti, Pongal, and Lohri. Although there are quite a few stories behind the origin of these festivals, it is all about taking the seasonal change as a sign for casting out old things and welcoming new beginnings. These festivals are also celebrated with fervour in US and Canada where there exists a significant Indian population. Here is a peek at how Indians take their traditions and customs to the US by celebrating these festivals.

Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti, which falls on Monday, the 14th of January this year, is one of the most auspicious festivals for the Hindus, and is celebrated in myriad cultural forms. Various Indian communities and associations across US gather in thousands to celebrate Sankranti. Dances and shows describing the joy and importance of Sankranti are performed by local children and choreographed by professional choreographers and parents at these events. Along with the programs on Sankranti, there are also performances on popular Telugu film songs that reflect the mood of Sankranti. These events also include comedy acts by local talent and comedians from the Telugu movie industry. Special Sankranti concerts and shows are held, with participation from some of the top actors and musicians from Kollywood, who travel all the way from India. Other attractions of Sankranti Sambaralu events in US of course include Kite-flying, the colourful traditional Rangoli and specially prepared food. A variety of traditional delicacies are specially prepared for the season.

Pongal

Pongal is the biggest harvest festival of Tamil Nadu and is celebrated with fervour, quite like Thanksgiving in America, to mark the arrival of the harvest season. As the US is home to thousands of Tamils, there are many voluntary in the country that perform various rituals associated with the Pongal festival every year, thus keeping Tamil culture alive. Special poojas are organised in temples to satisfy the fervor of the Tamil community. It is an occasion where members of Tamil communities get together and conduct an assortment of cultural events, apart from enjoying the festivities. Pongal festivities begin in US with 'Bhogi', in which people welcome the celebrations by burning old things off as a sign of making way for the new. The houses are cleaned and the entranceways are decorated with beautiful Kolams. Following Boghi, Pongal, the harvest festival, is celebrated, which is followed by 'Mattu Pongal', when cows are worshipped, and 'Kanoom Pongal', which is a day for sight-seeing. People wear new clothes, traditional delicacies sweets and delicacies are prepared.

Lohri

Lohri is one of the most popular festivals celebrated by the large Sikh population in America, thus bringing their rich culture and heritage to the country. Peanuts, puffed rice, popcorn, gajak and sweets are distributed as Prasad during this festival, as part of a prayer to Agni for abundant crops. However, Lohri celebrations in US are somewhat different compared to India, where people enjoy a bonfire with friends and relatives, dancing to the beat of the traditional Indian drum known as Dhol. However, a huge bonfire in not allowed as per US laws, as houses here are made of wood. So people generally use the fire place to follow their tradition. Lohri is also an important festival for newly-wed couples, as it marks fertility.

So, that was a roundup on how Sankranti, Pongal, and Lohri are celebrated in the US. Whatever the festival you are celebrating, make sure you do it safe, and hope you all have a great harvest season!