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India, the land of festivals celebrates several festivals over the year belonging to different religions, communities, states, and natives. But what spreads happiness among the farmers is the harvesting festivals of India. Onam is an annual harvest festival celebrated in the state of Kerala. It is one of the major annual events for the Keralites. This year, it is celebrated on 21st of August 2021. Basically, these grand festivals include six events. The first one is Tripunithura Attachanayam. This works like the first day of Onam which is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm. On the second day, Pookalum is a ritual where people make designs on the floor and decorate that with various flowers. Pulikali, the next ritual is the play of tigers which was started roughly 200 years ago. The next ritual Vallamkali is the snake boat race. Onam Sadya which is a 9-course meal consists of 11 to 13 different dishes served on banana leaves. The-six-day long ritual ends with folk dance as any festival is incomplete without folk dance performances. Clap dance forms Kaikotti Kali and women dance Thumbi Thalli is performed.
But Onam is not the only harvesting festival of India as there are many others like Makar Sankranti, Baisakhi, Lohri, Bhogali Bihu, Wangala Vuakhai ,Gudi Padwa, Pongal, and Makar Sankranti. Makar Sankranti is the oldest and the most colorful harvest festival of India which is celebrated in North India particularly in Uttar Pradesh. Kumbha Mela is one of the key attractions during this festival. Similarly, Baisakhi is celebrated in Punjab and Haryana. The main attractions of Baisakhi are Bhangra and Gidda by men and women respectively. Lohri is also one of the most renowned harvest festivals in Punjab. It is celebrated in extreme winters by burning the bonfire, singing together, and offering grains, corns, and nuts. Our country is rightly called “Incredible India”