Indian festivals weave a vibrant tapestry celebrating the deep bond between humanity and nature. From the sun’s journey marked by Makar Sankranti to the rejuvenating arrival of spring on Vasant Panchami, these observances honour nature’s cycles and elements. Through rituals, feasts, and pilgrimages, festivals like Chhath Puja and Sarhul not only highlight our dependence on the natural world but also reflect ancient wisdom and reverence. They reaffirm our spiritual and cultural connection to nature, avers Harshita Singh.
Among the festivals celebrated in India, nature emerges as a central theme in many, interwoven with sacred rites and rituals that celebrate the cyclical harmony of life. Hinduism, deeply rooted in the veneration of nature, reflects a profound understanding of the interdependence between humanity and the natural world.
This reverence is manifest in festivals that honour various aspects of nature, from the harvest and the rain to the earth and the elements. These festivals are not mere celebrations; they embody ancient wisdom and spiritual practices that acknowledge and celebrate nature’s divine presence.
Nature and prosperity
Makar Sankranti, a festival observed in mid-January, stands as a radiant celebration of the sun’s journey through the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makar) and the onset of the harvest season. This festival, marking the transition from winter to spring, is a significant event in the Hindu calendar, intertwining astronomical phenomena with agricultural prosperity and cultural traditions.
Makar Sankranti not only highlights the sun’s crucial role in sustaining life on earth but also encapsulates a deep reverence for nature’s cycles and the harvest’s bounty. Astronomically, the festival celebrates the sun’s northward shift, known as the Uttarayan, which signifies the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of longer daylight hours. This transition is pivotal in agrarian societies, as it heralds the start of the harvest season, when crops are gathered and stored.
A hallmark of Makar Sankranti is the pilgrimage to the sacred rivers. Devotees flock to revered water bodies such as the Ganga, Yamuna and their tributaries to perform a ritualistic dip, believed to cleanse the soul and purify sins. This act of purification is not merely a physical immersion but also a spiritual renewal, symbolizing the cleansing of past deeds and the embracing of a new phase marked by growth and prosperity.
The Kumbh Mela, which coincides with Makar Sankranti, witnesses a massive convergence of pilgrims at the confluence of these sacred rivers, exemplifying the festival’s significance in fostering communal and spiritual unity.
Taking sun’s blessings
The festival’s customs are a lively celebration of the harvest and the sun’s blessings. Kite flying is a prominent tradition during Makar Sankranti observed in central India. In Punjab, Haryana and Himachal, it is observed as Lohri where bonfires are lit to symbolize the sun’s return and the warmth it brings. The ritualistic bonfire serves as a communal gathering point where people offer seasonal produce, sing traditional songs, and perform dances.
Feasting is another essential aspect of Makar Sankranti. Traditional foods like til gul – a sweet preparation made from sesame seeds and jaggery – are prepared and shared among family and friends. The Sun Temple in Konark, Odisha attracts numerous pilgrims during the festival which is known by different names in different parts of India and among diverse communities. For example, it’s called Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Magh Bihu in Assam, Uttarayan in Gujarat, etc.
Chhath Puja, observed mainly in the northern and eastern regions of India, especially in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and parts of Nepal, is a festival dedicated to honouring the Sun God and the forces of nature. The four-day celebration, held in October or November, involves fasting, prayer rituals, and immersing oneself in sacred rivers.
Devotees seek the Sun God’s blessings for family health and prosperity. The festival’s customs are rooted in ancient texts, such as the Rigveda, and are also referenced in the Mahabharat, where Draupadi is depicted performing the Chhath Puja rituals.
Tree, the life giver
Sarhul is a significant festival celebrated across the tribal state of Jharkhand in central India, marking the arrival of spring. It is typically celebrated in March or April when the Saal tree sprouts new leaves. Held on the third moon day in the first month of the Hindu calendar, the festival involves prayers to trees, expressing gratitude to nature for its abundance. The celebration begins with dancing and feasting on an indigenous fruit sarai and drinking rice beer.
The three-day festival reaches its peak with a vibrant procession where tribal communities and visitors fill the streets with song and dance. Sarhul is predominantly observed by the Oraon, Munda, and Ho tribes in the tribal belt. Unique to this festival, the rituals and food are all tree-based. The Prasad, called handia, is made from tree leaves, rice, and water, while other specialties include pahan, khadi, and various fish dishes. Some tribal communities offer prayer to nature and perform symbolic wedding of mother earth with the sun god.
Tribal women wear typical white saree with a red border and dance in processions carrying pots filled with grains. ‘Sarhul’ means ‘worshipping trees and nature’ and the festival is a reminder that man cannot exist without nature.
Goddess of knowledge and spring
Vasant Panchami, celebrated in late January or early February, marks the advent of spring and is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. This festival signifies a transformative period, heralding the arrival of spring and representing a time of cultural and agricultural renewal. Vasant Panchami is a celebration of the changing seasons.
One prominent legend associated with Vasant Panchami is the story of Saraswati’s birth. It is said that the goddess emerged from the cosmic waters of the great ocean, symbolizing the purity and clarity of knowledge. As the embodiment of wisdom and learning, Saraswati is often depicted holding a veena (a musical instrument), a book, and a rosary, signifying her mastery over arts, education, and spiritual pursuits.
Another legend links the festival to the renewal of the earth’s energy. Saraswati’s arrival is thought to bring forth a rejuvenation of nature, as the earth shakes off the remnants of winter and prepares for the vibrant growth of spring. This association with nature’s renewal underscores the festival’s role in celebrating the cyclic rhythms of the natural world.
The Saraswati Temple in Basar, Telangana – also known as Sri Gnana Saraswathi Devasthanam – transforms into a vibrant centre of devotion and learning on this day. Pilgrims and devotees visit these temples to offer prayers, perform rituals, and seek the goddess’s blessings for wisdom and success.
Other significant temples visited by devotees on Vasant Panchami include Saraswati Temple in Narkanda, Himachal Pradesh and Koothanur Saraswathi Temple in Tamil Nadu. The Kshir Bhawani Temple in Tullamulla, Jammu and Kashmir has a sacred spring which is believed to change colour depending on upcoming events. It is also an important temple visited by pilgrims on Vasant Panchami.
Indian festivals that celebrate nature reflect a profound reverence for the natural world, highlighting the interdependence between human life and the environment. From the solar celebrations of Makar Sankranti to the vibrant colours of Holi and the springtime renewal of Vasant Panchami, these festivals offer a window into the deep cultural and spiritual connection people have with nature.
Temples and pilgrimage sites across India serve as focal points for these celebrations, embodying the sacred relationship between humanity and the natural world. Through these festivals, the essence of nature is honoured, its cycles celebrated, and its divine presence acknowledged, ensuring that the wisdom of the past continues to resonate in the rhythms of the present.