Bhagoria, Bihu, Onam, Pongal, Wangala, and Beyond: India’s Harvest Festivals to Tribute the Sun, Crops, and Trees

Every year, I would celebrate Deepavali at home, a grand festival for Hindus. This year, however, I couldn’t participate in the celebrations. Instead, I had the chance to experience Meghalaya’s Wangala, or the Hundred Drum Festival, a vibrant harvest celebration. I noticed striking similarities between the rituals and the crops associated with both festivals. While many perceive Deepavali as a time for bursting crackers, enjoying sweets, and reveling in festivities, it also holds deep connections to specific crops and trees, much like other harvest festivals. This realization sparked my curiosity to explore the cultural significance of these plants in festivals, leading to the crafting of this article. This elaborated work includes festivals starting from Bhagoria to Wangala and provides the brief significance of celebrations including crops and trees associated.

India, a land of diverse cultures and traditions, celebrates its deep-rooted connection with agriculture and forestry through vibrant harvest festivals. These festivals reflect gratitude to nature, a celebration of abundance, and the shared joy of community living. From the lush fields of Punjab to the serene hills of Meghalaya, harvest festivals are a vital thread in India’s cultural fabric. These festivals, such as Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti, and Bihu in Assam, honor the bounty of crops like banana, rice, wheat, and sugarcane. They highlight the symbiotic relationship between nature and human life, with trees like true kadam (Mitragyna parvifolia), karanj (Pongamia pinnata), mahua (Madhuca latifolia),  mango (Mangifera indica), neem (Azadirachta indica), etc. playing symbolic roles in rituals. Music, dance, and feasting mark these events, reflecting gratitude to the mother earth. Beyond agriculture, they strengthen community bonds and cultural heritage. Each festival showcases India’s rich cultural diversity, unique customs and shared joy, uniting people through the rhythm of seasons. 

Why do we celebrate harvest festivals?

Harvesting festivals are celebrated to express gratitude for a successful agricultural season and to mark the completion of the harvest period. These festivals bring communities together and build a strong bond, fostering a sense of belonging and unity among people. They signify the importance of agriculture in sustaining communities and serve as occasions to honor traditional practices. These festivals help to pass traditional knowledge from generation to generation. Harvest festivals often include rituals, feasting, music, dance, etc. that reinforce community bonds. 

Over time, rice and maize took center stage in all of the rituals that used to contain millet and other indigenous crops. There are comparable Thanksgiving celebration vibes and customs during the Diwali celebration in most of South India. 

Making Hatti Lakkavva with Cow dung ball decorating with a collection of millets, flowers, and locally available sacred plants (including native weeds), and Celebration 

Here, is the the list of harvest festivals celebrated in different states with different names in different seasons:

Name	State	Celebration time	Associated crops	Associated trees and Perennials
Bhagoria	Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra	March	Jowar, Maize, Bajra,	Mahua (Madhuca latifolia), Palas (Butea monosperma)
Bihu (Magh or Bhogali)	Assam	January–February (month of Magh)	Banana, Betelnut, Paddy, Sesame, Sugarcane	Bamboo, Coconut,Jackfruit, Mango
Chhath Puja	Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh	October-November	Rice, Wheat, Sugarcane	Banyan, Bamboo, Mango
Dree (Festival of Apatani tribe)	Arunachal Pradesh	5th July	Rice, Millet, Maize, Vegetables	Blue Pine, Bamboo, Local sacred plants
Hindu new year (Baisakhi, Gudi padwa,Ugadi, Vishu, Vaisaka)	Pan-India	April	Banana, Rice, Sugarcane, Turmeric, Vegetables, Seasonal fruits	Jackfruit, Karanj, Neem, Mango, Tamarind, Golden shower
Karam	Jharkhand	September- October	Rice, Wheat, Corn, Ragi, Jowar, Pulses, Oilseeds	Karam (Mitragyna parvifolia), Sal
Lohri	Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh	January 13th (one day before Sankranti)	Corn, Mustard, Radish, Sesame, Sugarcane,	Peepal, Banyan, and Eucalyptus
Makar Sankranti	Nation-wide	January 14th or 15th	Banana, Sesame, Sugarcane	Mango  Neem and Peepal
Mim Kut	Nagaland	August or September	Banana, Maize, Millets, Rice, Vegetables, Tubers	Bamboo
Nabanna	West Bengal	September- October	Banana, Rice, Sugarcane	Jackfruit, Mango, Coconut
Nongkrem	Meghalaya	November	Ginger, Rice, Maize, Turmeric, Ragi, Vegetables	Banyan, Betel Nut, Khasi Pine
Nuakhai	Odisha and Chhattisgarh	Usually between August and September	Banana, Paddy, Ragi, Pulses, Oilseeds, Tulsi, Vegetables	Coconut, Mango, Neem, Pipal
Onam	Kerala	Ten-days in August or September	Rice, Banana, Yam, Pumpkin, Marigold, Jasmine, and Chrysanthemums	Arecanut, Coconut, Jackfruit, Mango
Pongal	Tamil Nadu	January 14th or 15th	Avaram flower, Ponga flower, Rice, Sugarcane, turmeric, and Banana	Mango and Neem
Wangala	Meghalaya	September-December	Ginger, Rice, Millets, Maize, Pumpkin, Banana, Turmeric	Arecanut, Bamboo, Jackfruit, Peepal

1. Bhagoria (Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra)

The Bhagoria Festival is a vibrant cultural celebration of the Bhil and Bhilala tribes, primarily observed in some districts of Madhya Pradesh, and Maharastra. This annual festival is held just before the onset of the Holi festival, typically in March, and serves as a colorful expression of community, courtship, and traditional customs. Bhagoria derives its name from the word “Bhag,” meaning to flee, symbolizing the unique tradition of choosing life partners during the festival. Young men and women express mutual affection, with the understanding that they may elope and later formalize their union with family approval.

The festival is hosted in weekly markets and is characterized by lively dances, music, and stalls showcasing local handicrafts, jewelry, and agricultural produce. Bhagoria also reflects the agrarian lifestyle of the tribal communities, who rely heavily on their local environment for sustenance. Trees like Mahua (Madhuca longifolia) and crops such as maize, jowar (sorghum), and bajra (pearl millet) hold cultural and economic significance during Bhagoria. 

Important Crops Associated:

1. Wheat: A staple rabi crop harvested around February-March, coinciding with the Bhagoria festivities.
2. Gram (Chana): Another major rabi crop that is harvested during this period.
3. Maize: While not directly tied to the festival, maize is a staple crop grown by the Bhil and Bhilala tribes.
4. Millets: Various traditional millets like sorghum (jowar) and pearl millet (bajra) are grown and consumed during the festival.

Important Trees and Plants Associated:

1. Mahua (Madhuca longifolia): The mahua tree is particularly significant for its flowers, which are used to make traditional beverages and food items.
2. Bamboo: Used for crafting tools and housing materials.
3. Neem: Known for its medicinal properties and utility in daily life. 
4. Mango: Mango holds cultural significance and provides seasonal fruit.
5. Palash (Butea monosperma): Revered for its vibrant red-orange flowers, often associated with the Holi festival.

2. Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu (Assam)

Bihu is a harvest festival celebrated thrice annually in Assam, Bhogali or Magh Bihu in January, Rongali or Bohag Bihu in April, and Kongali or Kati Bihu observed in October or November. Each of these Bihu corresponds to a specific agricultural cycle. Farmers pay tribute to cattle, the backbone of agriculture, and celebrate with traditional music, dance, and cuisine like pitha and laru. This festival unites rural and urban communities alike. A bonfire (Meji) is lit for the ceremonial conclusion and prayer to the God of Fire. The festival was developed by the Tibeto-Burman cultures and festivals, such as Magan of Kachari.

Key crops used in Magh Bihu include:

1. Banana: Banana leaves are used in traditional rituals and feasts.
2. Paddy: Rice is the key crop used in traditional dishes like pitha (rice cakes) and laru (sweet balls) after harvest.
3. Sugarcane: Often used for constructing the Meji (bonfire) and as an offering in rituals.
4. Sesame: Used in making til pitha and sesame-based sweets.

Key Trees and Plants of Significance:

1. Bamboo: Essential for building temporary structures (Bhelaghar) and making tools for cooking and celebrations.
2. Coconut: Widely used in desserts and offerings.
3. Betel Nut and Betel Leaves: Used in rituals and offered during social exchanges.
4. Jackfruit: Fruits are used in rituals and feasts
5. Mango: The leaves and fruits are used in rituals and feasts.

3. Chhath Puja (Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh)

It is a major harvest festival of Bihar, Jharkhand, and some parts of  Uttar Pradesh and Nepal. This four-day festival is celebrated on the sixth day of  Kartik Shukla Paksha (October-November). This festival is dedicated to the sun god for life-giving energy and his consort Usha. People offer water (arghya) to the sun god, take a holy dip in rivers & enjoy traditional dishes like kheer, thekua & laddu. As a harvest festival, Chhath Puja coincides with the post-monsoon season when crops such as rice, sugarcane, and wheat are ready for harvest. Sugarcane, a key crop, holds special importance during the rituals and is often used as part of the offerings, symbolizing sweetness and prosperity. The banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis) is considered sacred during Chhath Puja, as it is associated with long life and fertility. Rituals often involve offering water to the Sun while standing in rivers or ponds, reinforcing a connection with water bodies and nature, and reflecting a deep reverence for nature’s cycles and resources.

Crops Associated with Chhath Puja include:

1. Rice: it is used for making Thekua, the famous traditional sweet offering prepared with wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee.
2. Wheat: Flour from wheat is a primary ingredient for Thekua.
3. Sugarcane: Jaggery is widely used in Chhath Puja dishes and sugarcane stalks are an important offering in Chhath rituals, symbolizing prosperity. 
4. Fruits: Seasonal fruits like bananas, coconuts, and sweet lime are offered to the Sun God.
5. Banana: Banana leaves and fruits are crucial offerings during the rituals.

Trees of Significance:

1. Banyan (Ficus benghalensis): It is considered sacred during Chhath Puja, as it is associated with long life and fertility.
2. Mango: Mango wood is used to construct small platforms for placing offerings.
3. Bamboo: Soop and Daura are bamboo baskets used to carry offerings.

4. Dree (Arunachal Pradesh)

This significant three-day agricultural festival is celebrated by the Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. Usually, it takes place on July 5. Drees festival highlights sustainable agricultural practices like their unique practice of wet rice cultivation and the agricultural cycles that govern their everyday lives. This cultural and spiritual Festival’s main purpose is to ensure a good harvest season and to seek blessings from their 5 main traditional deities such as Tamu, Metii, Meder, Mepin, and Danyi for protection from natural calamities and pest-free crops. This festival underscores the Apatanis’ deep connection to their environment and agrarian way of life.

Rice, the staple crop of the Apatani people, is central to the festival as it symbolizes sustenance and abundance. The Apatanis are known for their unique wet rice cultivation practices, which are integrated with fish farming. Millets, another important crop, also play a significant role in the festivities. The bamboo and pine trees hold symbolic importance in Dree celebrations. Community gatherings, traditional songs, dances, and the preparation of local rice beer add to the vibrancy of the festival. The Dree Festival reflects the Apatani community’s deep relationship with nature and agriculture, and the prayers offered are meant to ensure the protection of these crops from natural calamities and pests. The focus on sustainable farming and irrigation practices also underscores the community’s ecological ethos.

Crops of Significance:

1. Rice: This staple crop is central to the festival’s prayers and rituals.
2. Millets: Another important crop associated with the festival.
3. Maize: Cultivated as a staple food and included in the harvest celebrations.
4. Seasonal Vegetables: Locally grown vegetables also form a part of the celebrations.
5. Peji Pelo (Saccharum arundinaceum): This plant is used in Dree, it is placed at the entrance of each household to keep away the harmful insects and pests from entering the village and destroying the agricultural fields.

Trees of Significance:

1. Bamboo: Used for constructing altars and crafting other items during the rituals.
2. Sacred Plants: Some local plants are used for making offerings or adorning sacred spaces during the ceremonies.
3. Blue Pine (Pinus wallichiana): Branches are part of ceremonial decorations.

5. Hindu New Year (Pan-India)

This New Year celebration in April aligns with the harvest cycle, where families prepare dishes using newly harvested grains. It reflects the harmony between cultural traditions and sustainable agricultural practices. Some other names are Baisakhi (Panjab, Haryana, and Delhi), Gudi Padwa (Maharastra, and Goa), Puthandu (Tamil Nadu), Ugadi (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana), Vaisakha (Bihar), and Vishu (Kerala). Rituals symbolize a new start, mirroring the cycle of sowing and reaping.

Many crops and trees symbolize prosperity, renewal, and the agricultural significance of these festivals. The neem symbolizes the bitter truths of life, the Mango and Jaggery signify sweetness and the rewards of hard work, the Banana and Coconut denote fertility, prosperity, and purity, and the Golden shower flowers (Konna Poo) reflect hope and positivity.

The key trees and crops used:

Ugadi (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana):

1. Neem: Leaves and flowers are mixed with jaggery, tamarind, and other ingredients to prepare Ugadi Pachadi, symbolizing life’s sweet and bitter experiences.
2. Mango: Tender mango leaves are used to decorate doorways (torans) and raw mango is an ingredient in the Pachadi and other festive dishes.
3. Tamarind: Tamarind pulp is a key ingredient in Ugadi Pachadi.
4. Coconut: Used for offerings and in preparing various festive dishes.
5. Banana: The fruits and leaves are used in rituals and as serving plates.

Gudi Padwa (Maharashtra and Goa):

1. Neem: Neem leaves are consumed with jaggery as part of the rituals, signifying health and purification.
2. Mango: Mango leaves are used in torans to decorate homes.
3. Sugarcane: Representing sweetness and prosperity, sugarcane sticks are sometimes part of the offerings.
4. Turmeric: Fresh turmeric roots are used in pujas.
5. Rice: Rice grains are used in the rangoli or as part of offerings.

Vishu (Kerala):

1. Jackfruit: Raw jackfruit is one of the ingredients displayed in the Vishukkani (a ceremonial arrangement).
2. Golden Shower (Cassia fistula): Known as Konna Poo, its bright yellow flowers are a key element of the Vishukkani.
3. Coconut: Whole coconuts and coconut oil lamps are integral to the Vishukkani.
4. Banana: Both fruit and leaf are significant in rituals and festive dishes like sadya.
5. Paddy: Unhusked rice is displayed in the Vishukkani to symbolize abundance.
6. Vegetables and Fruits: Other crops such as cucumber, green chilies, and seasonal fruits are part of the ceremonial display.

6. Karam (Jharkhand)

This harvest festival is celebrated between August and September in honor of Lard Karma, the god of power, and youthfulness, who is believed to shower blessings on crops. To commemorate their healthy harvest, people celebrate Jhumar by dressing colorfully and enjoying traditional food. Trees like Karam (Mitragyna parvifolia) and Sal (Shorea robusta) are considered valuable because of their cultural importance and ability to support their livelihood.This practice is being carried on by the many ethnic groups, such as the Munda, Oraon, Baiga, Kudmi, Lohra, Korwa, etc. The fasting unmarried girls perform Jawa, which is the process of growing seedlings from nine different kinds of seeds in a basket namely rice, wheat, corn, etc. for seven to nine days. The following day, groups of young men go to the jungle by singing and dancing to gather fruits, flowers, and Karam branches. Following puja the next morning, the branches of the sacred Karam tree were immersed in the river. 

Crops of Significance:

1. Rice: Rice is intricately linked to the agricultural rituals of the festival.
2. Maize: Cultivated extensively in the region and a key crop during the festival season.
3. Pulses: Crops like black gram and pigeon pea are significant for the rituals.
4. Millets: Traditional millets like ragi and jowar are often part of the offerings.
5. Oilseeds: Mustard and groundnut are associated with agricultural traditions.
6. Vegetables: Vegetables like pumpkin, bottle gourd, and beans are part of the festival.

Tree Species of Significance:

1. Karam (Mitragyna Parviflora): Also known as the True  Kadamba, the central attraction to the Karam festival, the branch is worshipped as a symbol of fertility and prosperity.
2. Sal (Shorea robusta): During the festival, young men gather wood, fruits, and flowers.

7. Lohri (Punjab)

Lohri is a harvest festival celebrated on January 13th or 14th a day before Makar Sankranti. Lohri marks the end of the Rabi season and the onset of the harvest season. The festival revolves around bonfires, where communities gather to sing traditional songs, dance the bhangra and gidda, and enjoy foods like jaggery, peanuts, and makki di roti with sarson da saag. It is a tribute to the hard work of Punjabi farmers. This festival is deeply rooted in agricultural traditions and is often associated with trees and crops that are integral to the rural lifestyle. 

Key tree species and crops related to the festival include:

1. Sugarcane: It is an important crop harvested during Lohri. Juice and by-products like jaggery are integral to the celebrations.
2. Mustard: Mustard fields are prominent in the winter season and the festival. A famous dish Sarson ka saag is prepared from mustard greens and is enjoyed during Lohri.
3. Peepal: People offer prayers and it signifies the symbol of prosperity and fertility. 
4. Banyan: A sacred tree is often a part of folk tales and rituals.
5. Sesame: Sesame seeds are used in sweets like til laddoos made for the festival.
6. Eucalyptus: The branches of eucalyptus or other locally available trees are used in the bonfires central to Lohri celebrations. 

8. Makar Sankranti (Pan-India)

A harvest festival celebrated across India in January, Makar Sankranti signals the Sun’s transition into Capricorn. 

Each state adds its flavor to the festivities:

• Gujarat celebrates with kite flying, painting the skies with vibrant hues.
• Maharashtra exchanges sesame and jaggery sweets, spreading messages of goodwill.
• Bihar and Uttar Pradesh relish tilkut and rice pudding.

This festival has various regional traditions that incorporate specific trees and plants as part of the festivities. 

Key trees and crops include:

1. Banana: Leaves are used for rituals and as decorative items during the festival.
2. Mango: Auspicious leaves are often used to create door garlands for decoration.
3. Peepal: Worshipped during Sankranti as it is associated with spiritual significance.
4. Sugarcane: A significant crop associated with the harvest and rituals.
5. Sesame: Seeds are used in making sweets like Tilgul and offered as part of prayers.
6. Neem: Leaves or twigs are used in rituals for their medicinal and purifying properties.

9. Mim Kut (Nagaland)

This agricultural festival is celebrated in August-September by the Kuki tribes of Nagaland and other parts of North East India.  The name “Mim” means maize in the Kuki language. It celebrates the harvest of maize, which is the last harvest crop for the season. It is a post-harvest festival observed to honor departed souls and give thanks for the bountiful harvest. The wine prepared from rice, vegetables, maize, and handmade symbolic jewelry will be offered to the dead souls. The crops and plants are used as sacred offerings to the spirits and ancestors, symbolizing gratitude and the cyclic connection between nature and human life.

Crops Associated with Mim Kut:

1. Maize: Maize is the primary crop associated with Mim Kut, as the festival marks the end of the maize harvest.
2. Rice: While maize is the central focus, rice is also an essential crop, being a staple in the region and used in offerings.
3. Millets: Some communities also include millets, which are traditionally grown in the region.
4. Banana: Banana leaves and fruits are commonly used in rituals and offerings during the Mim Kut festival.
5. Vegetables and Tubers: Locally grown vegetables, yams, and other tubers are also offered during the celebration.

Trees and Plants Used:

1. Bamboo: Bamboo is often utilized to craft structures, decorations, or utensils for the festival.

10. Nabanna (West Bengal)

Nabanna (New feast or new rice) is a Bengali harvest festival celebrated between November and December, marking the joyous occasion of the new rice harvest. This festival is celebrated in Bangladesh, West Bengal, Tripura, and parts of Assam. Observed primarily in rural areas, it signifies the agrarian culture, and is a significant celebration for farmers, who offer their first harvest to the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, “Annapurna”. The festival is closely associated with the staple crop rice. Fresh rice from the first harvest is used to prepare a variety of dishes, including pithe, payesh (rice pudding), and other sweets. These delicacies are shared among family, friends, and neighbors, fostering a sense of togetherness. Bananas and coconut palms are integral to the celebrations, symbolizing prosperity and abundance. Banana leaves are often used to serve food, while coconuts feature in rituals and offerings. Nabanna also includes folk music, dance, and cultural performances, reflecting the vibrant traditions of rural Bengal. It celebrates the bounty of nature and strengthens communal harmony.

Key Crops Associated with Nabanna:

1. Rice: Nabanna is centered around the harvest of newly grown rice. 
2. Banana: Leaves are often used as serving plates, and fruit is offered in prayers.
3. Sugarcane: It is included in the celebration and as an offering.

Tree Species of Significance 

1. Jackfruit: Leaves are used in rituals or decoration during the festival.
2. Mango: Mango leaves are used to decorate homes and altars during festivals.
3. Coconut: Used in rituals and as an offering during the festival.

11. Nongkrem (Meghalaya)

The Nongkrem Harvest Festival is celebrated in Meghalaya, primarily by the Khasi tribe. This event is observed annually in November, as a thanksgiving festival for the harvest and a celebration of the Khasi community’s rich traditions. The festival, which usually lasts for several days, takes place at Smit, the ancestral village of the Khasi royalty, near the state capital, Shillong. The Nongkrem Festival is marked by a blend of religious and social customs. The central ritual involves a sacrificial offering to the “Sun God” by the priestess, called the “Ka Syiem.” This is followed by dances and feasts, where the men and women dress in traditional attire and perform “Shad Nongkrem,” a traditional dance. The rituals are associated with many food crops and trees, and express their gratitude to the prosperous harvest.

Key Crops Associated with Nongkrem:

1. Rice: The main crop celebrated during the harvest festival as it forms the staple food.
2. Maize: Another significant crop used in rituals.
3. Turmeric: Used in rituals and traditional medicine.
4. Millet (Ragi): Cultivated in some areas and used in rituals.
5. Ginger: Locally grown ginger is also used in rituals.

Key Tree Species Related to Nongkrem:

1. Banyan (Ficus benghalensis): Considered sacred and often associated with rituals.
2. Betel Nut: Betel nuts are a key offering during rituals and are integral to Khasi traditions.
3. Khasi Pine (Pinus kesiya): Commonly revered during the festival.

12. Nuakhai (Odisha and Chhattisgarh)

Nuakhai, meaning “new grains,” is a celebration usually between August and September of the first harvest of the season in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Families offer the new harvest to deities (Mother Earth and Goddess Samaleswari) before consuming it and come together for festive meals. Traditional folk music and dances reflect the rich tribal culture of these states.

Crops Associated with Nuakhai include:

1. Banana: Banana plants and fruits are integral to rituals, offerings, and decorations.
2. Paddy: The primary crop associated with Nuakhai as it coincides with the harvesting of new rice and offered to the deities as Nabanna (new rice).
3. Millets (Ragi): Millets like ragi (finger millet) are also part of the offerings in some regions.
4. Pulses and Oilseeds: Crops such as black gram, and green gram, and oilseeds like sesame are often grown and included in the festivities.
5. Seasonal Vegetables and Fruits: Seasonal produce like pumpkin, brinjal, okra, banana, and sugarcane is also used in the celebrations.
6. Tulsi: Tulsi is considered sacred and often included in religious ceremonies.

Trees and Plants Used in Rituals include:

1. Mango: Mango leaves are often used in the decoration of homes and temples for the festival.
2. Neem: Neem leaves are used for their symbolic and purifying qualities.
3. Coconut: Coconuts are a significant offering during the festival, representing prosperity and purity.
4. Pipal: This sacred tree is sometimes worshipped during the festival.

13. Onam (Kerala)

Onam is an annual harvest and Hindu cultural festival celebrated primarily in Kerala. This ten-day harvest festival usually falls between  August or September to commemorate the mythical King Mahabali’s homecoming. The highlight is the grand sadya (traditional feast), served on banana leaves, and activities like vallam kali (snake boat races), pulikali (tiger dances), and intricate floral rangoli (pookalam). Onam showcases Kerala’s agrarian culture in all its glory. It promotes unity and diversity among people of different communities, emphasizing harmony and goodwill. 

Crops and Plants of Significance

1. Rice: Rice is the central crop for Onam as the festival marks the harvest season. Rice grains are used for preparing dishes like payasam (a sweet pudding) and other traditional Kerala meals served during the Onam Sadya (feast).
2. Banana: Banana leaves are used as plates for serving the Onam Sadya, raw bananas are used to prepare chips and other side dishes, and ripe bananas are a part of desserts and offerings.
3. Yam and Tuber Crops: Yams and other tubers like colocasia and sweet potatoes are commonly used in dishes for the Sadya.
4. Pumpkin and Ash Gourd: These vegetables are key ingredients in curries like olan and erissery served during the Sadya.
5. Flowers (for Pookalam): Various flowers are used for creating the floral rangoli called pookalam, which is a significant aspect of celebrations. Common flowers include marigolds, hibiscus, jasmine, and chrysanthemums.

Trees and Plants of Significance

1. Jackfruit: Jackfruit and its seeds are often used in Onam dishes.
2. Mango: Mango leaves are used for decorating homes or making ceremonial items.
3. Coconut: Coconut oil and grated coconut are added to curries and desserts, and fronds are used in decoration and ritualistic purposes.
4. Areca Nut: Areca nuts are used in offerings, and the tree is symbolically important in Kerala’s cultural traditions.

Onam Celebration in Kerala (Photo Credit: Murali)

14. Pongal (Tamil Nadu)

Pongal is a four-day harvest festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu in mid-January (usually on the 14th or 15th) by offering gratitude to the Sun god, Mother nature, and various Farm animals for the rich harvest. On these auspicious days, prepare a sweet dish popularly known as “Pongal” using rice, perform traditional dances together, and draw colorful decorative floor patterns (Kolam). Farmers boil fresh milk and rice in earthen pots, allowing it to overflow as a symbol of prosperity. 

1. The first day is called Bhogi Pongal, on this day cleaning and discarding of old belongings are done. Houses will be decorated and new clothes will be worn embracing the festive vibe! 
2. The second day is Surya Pongal, as the name says, Indra, or the Sun god is worshipped with sweet pongal offerings. Every house is adorned with beautiful floor patterns (Kolam).
3. Third day is called Maatu Pongal. Maatu means cattle in Tamil, this day is a day to decorate, honor, and worship Maatu (Cattle) for their invaluable contribution to bountiful harvests.
4. Fourth day, Kaanum Pongal families gather together, perform traditional dance, and have an auspicious meal. Younger generations take blessings from older generations. 

The crops associated with Pongal include:

1. Rice: The main dish Pongal is prepared from the first harvest of rice and milk. The milk is boiled with rice in a pot and kept for overflow to symbolize abundance, prosperity, and good luck.
2. Sugarcane: It is offered to the Sun God during Pongal and symbolizes sweetness and happiness. It is considered the most efficient plant for converting solar energy into food.
3. Turmeric: Tying of turmeric with its leaves intact around the mouth of the vessel signifies a disease-free, healthy year ahead. 
4. Banana: Banana fruits and leaves are used for rituals.
5. Ponga poo (Ouret lanata): This is a common weed which grows wild everywhere in the plains of India. The root has a camphor-like aroma. The dried flowers were sold under the commercial names Buikallan and Boor. It is one of the plants included in the ten sacred flowers of Kerala. The whole plant is edible and used for food (vegetables) for people and grazing for stock, game, and chickens. The plant is used as a traditional medicine for snake bites and the root is used for jaundice therapy. It is also significantly used in Pongal and Sankranti as the flower of this plant is used for decoration. The name Ponga poo means Pongal flower. The plant is also used as a talisman against evil spirits, a good-luck talisman for hunters, and a talisman for the well-being of widows.
6. Avaram (Senna auriculata): Flowers are bundled and tied to the house entrance and the neck of the Pongal pot. It is believed that decorations with avaram will invite prosperity and ward off negative energies. It is a leguminous tree, which has wonderful flowers and these flowers are the state flower of Telangana. The dried flowers are also used as a substitute for tea for diabetic patients. The flowers have anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, and anti-hyperlipidemic properties. The root of the plant is anti-diabetic and used to treat fever, diseases of the urinary system, and constipation. This miracle shrub is the main component used in Indian festivals like Pongal and Deepavali. 

Key Trees of Significance:

1. Mango and Neem: ‘Kannipillai’ means Mango and neem branches, avaram, and ponga flowers tied to the entrance of the house. It symbolizes the welcoming of divine blessings and the establishment of a peaceful atmosphere.

15. Wangala (Meghalaya)

It is also known as the 100 Drum Festival celebrated in Meghalaya as a thanksgiving festival for the bounty of agricultural harvest. Usually, Wangal is celebrated between September and December in different places with different dates by the Garo tribe in Meghalaya after the rice harvest. The festival is a tribute to Misi Saljong, the Sun God, and is marked by rhythmic drum beats, dances, and vibrant traditional attire, showcasing the profound bond between nature and indigenous communities.

Wangala celebration in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya

Crops Used in Wangala Festival

1. Rice: Central to the festival as it is a harvest celebration. Different varieties of rice are grown and used in rituals and feasts.
2. Millets: Another important staple crop in the region, often used in traditional brewing for the festival.
3. Maize: Cultivated in the region and used during festivities.
4. Pumpkin and Gourds: Commonly grown in the region and used in celebratory meals.
5. Bananas: The fruit and leaves are often used in rituals and as part of festive feasts.
6. Turmeric and Ginger: Cultivated in the region and used for cooking and rituals.

Trees and Plants Used in Wangala Festival

1. Areca Nut: The nut and leaves are culturally significant and often used in rituals.
2. Bamboo: Used to create structures and items for the festival.
3. Jackfruit: The fruit and wood are used during festivals.
4. Peepal: Associated with spiritual and ritualistic significance in the region.

India’s harvest festivals, from the vibrant Bhagoria to the joyous Bihu, the grand Onam, the traditional Pongal, and the rhythmic Wangala, celebrate the symbiotic relationship between nature, agriculture, and culture. These festivals not only honor the sun, crops, and trees but also uphold the diversity and unity of India’s cultural heritage. They remind us to cherish the bounty of nature, respect sustainable practices, and strengthen community ties, ensuring that the spirit of gratitude and celebration continues to flourish for generations.

Which harvest festival resonates with you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below!