Today is Bhogi - the First day of the Sankranthi Festival

January 13, 2009

The harvest time has come in Bharat and the crops are being harvested and the grains are stored at home without any natural calamities.

The farmers are the backbone of any country more so in India especially in Andhra Pradesh which is appropriately called The Rice Bowel of India.The Sun God, Mother Earth and the farming community are responsible for our survival. This is the time during which we have to show our gratitude to all of them by celebrating the most important festival of India namely Sankranthi. In other words, Thanks giving Day.

Bhogi Festival is the first day of Pongal and is celebrated in honour of Lord Indra, "the God of Clouds and Rains". Lord Indra is worshiped for the abundance of harvest, thereby bringing plenty and prosperity to the land. Thus, this day is also known as Indran. On Bhogi all people clean out their homes from top to bottom, and collect all unwanted goods.

This day is meant for domestic activities and of being together with the family members.

Another ritual observed on this day is Bhogi Mantalu, when useless household articles are thrown into a fire made of wood and cow-dung cakes.

It was also on this day that Lord krishna lifted the Govardhan mountains on his little finger! In spiritual sense, Bhogi is one who indulges in material enjoyment without restriction; one who seeks material enjoyment as his life's aspiration

Om Sai Ram

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