Today is a tremendously auspicious day ! North and South India celebrate this day with different names. South Indians celebrate Bhogi and Vaikuntha Ekadasi today. North Indians celebrate Lohri.
Bhogi and Lohri
Bhogi is the first day of the 5 day Pongal festival. The day is dedicated to Indra Deva. Farmers seek Indra’s blessings for sufficient rain that leads to a bumper crop. The celebrations on Bhogi also include burning old clothes/things.
Bhogi is the last day of the month of Margazhi. Tomorrow its Pongal and “Thai” maasam (month). The month of Margazhi is significant because its a month of reflection and introspection. Tamilians do not even shift houses in the month of Margazhi. When you light a bonfire with all the old stuff on Bhogi day, it marks a break with the past. After a month of reflection and introspection, you are ready to take on new decisions and move forward.
We did some de-cluterring in the month of Margazhi. We did introspect and reflect as always.
Bhogi specials include Sweet Potato Poli like my paternal grandmother would make. Its a tradition that I follow simply because we all love the sweet potato poli :):).
Lohri is celebrated in North India. There is a bonfire into which you throw all the old clothes and old stuff besides Rewari and Gajak ! Again the meaning behind the celebration is making a break with the past and starting afresh tomorrow on Sankranti.
These festivals are the common thread that bind our country together ! Assam will celebrate Bhogali Bihu tomorrow.
Vaikuntha Ekadasi 2022
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय।
This year the Vaikuntha Ekadasi coincides with Bhogi. Both denote a break from the past and new beginnings, so perfectly great to celebrate them together. Read about the importance of Vaikuntha Ekadasi in my blog – Vaikuntha Ekadasi 2020.
Jothi Channel showed the Varadaraja Perumal Kovil celebrations in the morning today. Varadaraja Perumal is Krishna after the Mahabharata war. His face is pockmarked with war wounds as he fended off all the arrows aimed at Arjuna. Ofcourse he is still so charming and magnetic ❤️.
We plan to have just one meal today to celebrate Bhogi and still keep up the tradition of fasting on Vaikuntha Ekadasi.
Vaikuntha Ekadasi is very special at Tirupati and Srirangam. All set for Uttara Dwara Darshan at Tirumala. We will watch the live telecast on SVBC and Jothi channels. Praying that next year we are able to witness it in person either at Tirumala or at Srirangam.
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय।
#HinduFestivals