Bhogi

Bhogi is a Hindu festival that marks the beginning of the Pongal or Makar Sankranti celebrations in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.

When is Bhogi celebrated?

• Bhogi is celebrated on the first day of the Pongal festival, which falls in the Tamil month of Thai (mid-January).
• It is observed a day before the Makar Sankranti.

How is Bhogi celebrated?

• Bonfires are lit in the early morning, and people throw old clothes, unwanted items, and agricultural waste into the fire as a symbol of discarding the old and welcoming the new.
• People decorate their homes with kolams (rangolis) and celebrate with family and friends.
• New clothes are worn, and prayers are offered to the Sun God, Indra, and Lord Ganesha for prosperity, good harvest, and health.

Significance of Bhogi

• The festival is dedicated to Lord Indra, the God of rain, and it is believed that he is worshipped to ensure a good harvest and prosperity for the coming year.
• It is also a time to show gratitude for the blessings of the previous year and to start fresh with positive intentions.

Bhogi is a celebration of new beginnings, unity, and the hope for a bountiful year ahead.