Bhogi

Bhogi is a traditional harvest festival celebrated primarily in the southern states of India, especially Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana, on the first day of the three-day Pongal festival. The word is derived from the Sanskrit term "Bhog" meaning a sacrificial offering, and the festival marks the beginning of the Sun's six-month journey towards the South.

According to legend, Krishna once promised Nandi, the bull of Lord Shiva, that he would trade a pig for the chance to curl up in the sun, which he did. Bhogi is observed as a symbolic act of enjoying the glow of the sun after the harsh winter. It is also linked to the myth that the first Rishi, Manu, was freed from ignorance by leaving the old behind. The day is therefore associated with purification and a break from routine.

Typical practices include burning discarded household items such as broken pots, old clothing or unused utensils in a communal bonfire, known as the Bhogi fire. People collect birch or palm leaves to curl in the flame to ward off disease. After the fire, families sing folk songs, observe temple rituals, and prepare simple meals. The festival is marked by the sharing of sweets and the preparation of the first portion of cooked rice, which is called “Pongal,” given as an offering before being shared with family. Overall, Bhogi symbolizes renewal, gratitude, and the transition from winter to the warm, fruitful seasons of summer.