Agriculture is a vital sector of the Indian economy, as it employs around 50% of the country’s workforce and contributes approximately 17-18% of the country’s GDP. It is also a major source of food and other agricultural products for both domestic consumption and export. The country is one of the world’s largest producers of food grains, fruits, vegetables, and cash crops such as cotton, sugarcane, and jute. Therefore for Indians, the season of harvesting has great value and it is celebrated in most parts of the country by various names. Here is an article related to the various forms of crops harvesting celebration that are celebrated all over the country, 

• Lohri 

Lohri is a popular festival celebrated primarily by Sikhs and Hindus in the northern region of India, particularly in the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. It marks the end of the winter solstice and the start of the harvest season. The festival is celebrated on the 13th of January every year and is typically marked by a bonfire, singing, and dancing. People also exchange sweets and offer peanuts, popcorn, and sesame seeds to the fire as a symbol of gratitude for a bountiful harvest.

• Bihu 

Bihu is a set of three festivals celebrated in the Indian state of Assam and parts of Northeast India. The three Bihu festivals are Rongali Bihu (also known as Bohag Bihu) in April, Kongali Bihu (also known as Kati Bihu) in October, and Bhogali Bihu (also known as Magh Bihu) in January. Rongali Bihu is the most important and widely celebrated of the three and marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year and the coming of spring. It is a time for feasting, dancing, singing, and wishing for a good harvest. The other two Bihu festivals, Kongali Bihu and Bhogali Bihu are more focused on agriculture and are celebrated during the fall and winter seasons respectively.

• Vaishakhi 

Vaisakhi, also spelled as Baisakhi, is a festival celebrated by Sikhs and Hindus in the northern region of India, particularly in the state of Punjab. It is celebrated on the 13th of April every year and marks the start of the solar new year as well as the beginning of the harvest season. Vaisakhi is particularly significant for Sikhs as it marks the founding of the Khalsa, the collective body of initiated Sikhs, by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. On this day, Sikhs visit Gurdwaras (Sikh temples) to offer prayers and take part in processions. People also participate in traditional dances such as Bhangra and Gidda, and also enjoy delicious food, sweets, and music.

• Makar Sankranti

Also known as Makara Sankranti, is a Hindu festival that is celebrated annually on January 14th. It marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Makara (Capricorn) and marks the first day of the sun’s journey through the Makara Rashi (Capricorn zodiac). The festival is celebrated throughout India and Nepal in various ways, depending on the region. It is considered a sacred and auspicious day as it is believed that taking a dip in holy rivers like Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, and Sarayu on this day, washes away all sins and purifies the soul. This festival is also known for traditional foods such as til gud and gajak, and for flying kites. It is also known as the Kite Festival. 

Pongal

It is a harvest festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu, a state in southern India. It is typically celebrated in mid-January and marks the beginning of the sun’s six-month-long journey northward (Uttarayana), and is a time for thanksgiving to nature for a successful harvest. The festival is celebrated over four days, with the main day being the second day, called “Surya Pongal”, after which the festival is named after. People prepare sweet Pongal as an offering to the Sun god and decorate their homes. They also participate in various traditional activities such as bull taming and kolam (Rangoli) competitions.

As India is rich in its culture and is highly dependent on harvesting therefore it becomes very important for us to make sure that we thank the almighty for the crops we have been able to grow and also ask for better cultivation in the upcoming year.