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The Solar New Year through India’s fields
Here’s a look at the crops harvested during these vibrant celebrations across India.
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Pranavi Sharma - Wed, 16, Apr 2025
- 01:35 EDT
- 139
Representative Image. / Pexels
Different parts of India will mark the solar New Year this April with celebrations deeply tied to agriculture. Each region, with its climate and traditions, quite literally rejoices in the fruits of their labor. These festivals, often synonymous with harvests are an affirmations of the country’s agrarian roots.
Vaisakhi: The golden fields of Punjab
In Punjab and northern India, Vaisakhi heralds the end of the Rabi (winter) crop cycle. Farmers, their fields a sea of golden wheat swaying in the breeze, celebrate their toil as the harvest is gathered. Wheat remains the centerpiece of Vaisakhi, along with pulses, oilseeds, and sugarcane. The festival is a joyous thanksgiving to nature, with men and women performing the energetic Bhangra and Gidda dances, their movements mirroring the rhythm of a successful harvest.
Vishu: The Kerala bounty
In Kerala, Vishu is marked by the first sight of the Vishukkani—an auspicious arrangement of seasonal produce. Among them, the kanivellari (golden cucumber) holds a place of honor. Traditionally sourced from northern Kerala, this year’s harvest has seen a shift, with farmers in Kalliyoor, Thiruvananthapuram, cultivating the crop. The festival also coincides with the reaping of paddy, coconut, and seasonal vegetables, adding to the sense of abundance.
Bohag Bihu: Assam’s paddy fields
For Assam, Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu is not just about welcoming the New Year; it is about preparing for the most crucial crop—paddy. The festival marks the beginning of the sowing season, as farmers ready their fields for rice cultivation. The celebrations are enriched with traditional delicacies such as pitha and laroos, crafted from rice and coconut, alongside traditional brews like aapong and chuje from indigenous tribes.
Gudi Padwa: The mango season begins
In Maharashtra, Gudi Padwa signifies the completion of the Rabi harvest and the arrival of mangoes, the king of fruits. This is the season when markets brim with ripe Alphonso mangoes, their fragrance signaling prosperity and joy. Alongside mangoes, pulses and grains from the winter harvest find their way into celebratory feasts.
Pana Sankranti
In Odisha, Pana Sankranti (Maha Vishuba Sankranti) marks the beginning of the Odia New Year and the harvest of crucial crops. Paddy, the staple crop, is harvested alongside wheat, pulses like moong dal and arhar dal, oilseeds such as mustard and sesame, and seasonal vegetables like pumpkin and gourds. Fruits like mango, jackfruit, and bel (wood apple) play an essential role, with bel juice being a key festive offering.
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