Bhogi Festival 2024

Bhogi is the first day of the four-day Pongal festival, which is celebrated in the southern states of India, such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. It is also known as Lohri in some parts of North India. Bhogi falls on the last day of the Tamil month of Margazhi, which is usually on January 13th or 14th. This year, Bhogi will be celebrated on January 14th, 2024.

Bhogi is derived from the Sanskrit word "Bhoga", which means enjoyment, pleasure, or prosperity. It is a festival that marks the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of the sun's northward journey, known as Uttarayan. It is also a festival of renewal and transformation, where people discard their old and unwanted things and embrace new and positive ones.

Bhogi is dedicated to Lord Indra, the king of gods and the lord of rains and clouds. Bhogi is one of the names of Indra. On this day, farmers worship Lord Indra and seek his blessings for a good harvest, abundant rainfall, and prosperity. They also worship their ploughs and other agricultural tools and decorate them with flowers, turmeric, and kumkum. Bhogi is also a day of gratitude and thanksgiving, where people express their appreciation for the nature, the earth, and the crops that sustain them.

One of the main rituals of Bhogi is the Bhogi Mantalu or the Bhogi bonfire. People collect old and useless items, such as clothes, furniture, utensils, etc., and burn them in a bonfire at dawn. This symbolizes the destruction of evil and negativity and the renewal of life and energy. People also sing and dance around the fire and throw rice, sugarcane, and coconut into it as offerings.

Another ritual of Bhogi is the Kolam or the Rangoli. People draw colorful and intricate patterns on the ground using rice flour, chalk, or colored powders. They also place a ball of cow dung, called Gobbemma, in the center of the Kolam and light a lamp on it. The Kolam is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.

On Bhogi, people also clean and decorate their houses with mango leaves, marigold flowers, and banana stems. They take an oil bath and wear new clothes. They prepare and enjoy various delicacies, such as Pongal, Chakkara Pongal, Venn Pongal, Poli, Payasam, etc., made with rice, jaggery, milk, ghee, and dry fruits. They also exchange sweets and gifts with their relatives and friends.

Bhogi is a festival of joy and celebration. Here are some of the things that you can do on Bhogi to make it more memorable and meaningful:

• Participate in the Bhogi bonfire and get rid of your old and unwanted things. You can also donate them to the needy or recycle them.
• Draw a beautiful Kolam or Rangoli in front of your house and invite positive vibes and prosperity.
• Cook and share delicious food with your family and friends. You can also visit a temple and offer Prasad to the deity.
• Watch the kite flying festival, which is a popular activity on Bhogi. You can also fly your own kite and enjoy the sight of colorful kites in the sky.
• Listen to some Bhogi songs and folk music, which are sung in praise of Lord Indra and the harvest. You can also dance and play musical instruments to celebrate the occasion.

Bhogi (2024) will be celebrated on Monday, January 14th, 2024. It is a public holiday in some states, such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. It is also the eve of Makar Sankranti, which is another important harvest festival in India. Bhogi (2024) is a great opportunity to celebrate the bounty of nature and the spirit of renewal and transformation.

If you want to know more about Bhogi and its pooja procedure, you can reach out to the astrologers and priests registered and listed with Sulekha. Sulekha is a leading online platform that connects you with verified and experienced astrologers and priests who can guide you with the best advice and solutions for your queries and problems. You can also book online pooja services and get personalized horoscope predictions and remedies from Sulekha. Visit Sulekha.com today and make your Bhogi more auspicious and successful./p>