New Delhi: The festivals of Lohri and Pongal were celebrated with great enthusiasm on Monday. On this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Lohri celebrations held at Naraina Vihar in the national capital. The PM also attended the Pongal celebrations at the residence of Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy.
Local residents expressed their happiness and shared their reactions. Artists who performed at the Pongal and Sankranti celebrations at the residence of Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, where PM Narendra Modi was present, shared their views. An artist says, “We felt very proud when he came and spoke about the culture of India and the Sankranti festival”.
Several others said, “Today, PM Modi came to celebrate Lohri with us.” They added, “We felt really good that the PM came among us; it felt like a family member had come to visit us.” One person said, “I don’t have words to express my joy.” Another shared, “We are proud to be Hindus, and it felt wonderful that the PM came here. Despite his busy schedule, he took the time to be with us, and it made us feel really happy.”
Earlier, in a post, the Prime Minister wrote, that Lohri has a special significance for several people, particularly those from Northern India. It symbolises renewal and hope. It is also linked with agriculture and our hardworking farmers. This evening, I had the opportunity to mark Lohri at a programme in Naraina in Delhi. People from different walks of life, particularly youngsters and women, took part in the celebrations. Wishing everyone a happy Lohri!”
In the pictures, PM Modi can be seen affectionately interacting with a young child and taking a selfie with another child.
During the Pongal celebration at G. Kishan Reddy’s residence, PM Modi engaged with the artists present and greeted them with folded hands. He shared pictures on social media platform X, writing, “Attended Sankranti and Pongal celebrations at the residence of my ministerial colleague, Shri G. Kishan Reddy Garu. Also witnessed an excellent cultural programme. People across India celebrate Sankranti and Pongal with great fervour. It is a celebration of gratitude, abundance and renewal, deeply rooted in the agricultural traditions of our culture. My best wishes for Sankranti and Pongal. Wishing everyone happiness, good health and a prosperous harvest season ahead.”
During the Pongal celebrations, PM Modi also lit the Bhogi Agni (the ritual fire).
“Truly Honoured to host Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji on this auspicious day of Bhogi and for the Sankranti and Pongal celebrations at my official residence in New Delhi, today. A special pooja was performed by Hon’ble PM to mark the significance of this sacred festival. May this festival season bring happiness, prosperity, peace, and good health to the people of India. Sincere thanks to Hon’ble Speaker of Lok Sabha Shri Om Birla ji, Hon’ble Governor of Haryana Shri Dattatreya Garu, Actor and Padma Awardee Shri Chiranjeevi Garu, Badminton star and Padma Awardee Smt PV Sindhu, Hon’ble Union Ministers, Hon’ble MPs, officials of various ministries, cine artists and other dignitaries for taking part in the event,” Kishan Reddy wrote on X.
Lohri is a major festival for the Sikh community, particularly celebrated in Punjab and Haryana. It marks the harvesting of Rabi crops and the end of winter. On this day, prayers are offered to Lohri Mata. In the evening, friends, relatives, and families gather around a bonfire, circling it while offering jaggery, peanuts, rewari, gajak, and popcorn as part of the ritual.
Pongal, on the other hand, is dedicated to the Sun God. According to tradition, it signifies the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of the sun’s six-month-long northward journey (Uttarayan). A sweet dish called Pongal is prepared for the occasion and first offered to the deities. Sometimes, cows are also given the prasad, after which it is shared with family members.
(IANS)
