Indian Harvest Festivals

Harvest Festivals in India

Harvest

Harvest (कटाई) is the process of gathering mature crops from the fields. Reaping (also means कटाई) is the cutting of grain or pulse for harvest typically using a scythe, sickle or reaper. The harvest marks the end of the growing season or the growing cycle for a particular crop. The social importance of this event makes it the focus of seasonal celebrations such as harvest festivals found in many religions.

Harvest Festivals

The harvest festival is an annual celebration that occurs around the time of the main harvest of a given region. Ample food and freedom from the necessity to work in the fields are two central features of harvest festivals. Some of the common features of harvest festivals around the world are eating, merriment, contests, music and romance.

In India, some of the important harvest festivals are given below

• Makar Sankranti, Thai Pongal, Uttarayana, Lohri and Magh Bihu in January
• Holi in February or March
• Vaisakhi in April
• Onam in August or September

Indian Agriculture Vocabulary

• Ploughing - जोताई / Jotai or Jutai
• Sowing - बोवाई / Bovai or Buvai
• Watering - सिंचाई / Sinchai
• Weeding - निराई / Nirai
• Harvest - कटाई / Katai
• Reaping - कटाई / Katai