India is a diverse land and this diversity also reflects through its climate. It’s a place where you can experience all seasons, and even notice the transitions between them that usually go unnoticed. However, in reality, it is easy to assume that the country experiences sultry summers throughout the year, thanks to its mostly tropical climate. But pals, winters in India are a whole different vibe. So much so that the entirety of the country has its unique ‘winter culture’.
Just like the monsoons are associated with life and prosperity in India, winters are considered to be the time for harvest, familial bonding, and welcoming the new year with great pomp. Let’s have a look at the incredibly diverse and vibrant winter culture of India. Keep reading to find out more!
‘Tis The Season Of Harvest And Prosperity
Winter in India coincides with the harvest season. After a strenuous cultivation season, farmers and workers rejoice by engaging in various cultural practices in winter.
The colder months of November to February witness several harvest festivals celebrated throughout the country, such as Lohri, Bihu, Basant Panchami, and Pongal. Even though these festivals are different depending on the region you are in India, the underlying theme is the same – community bonding and praying for a prosperous year ahead. People from the cities too return to their native places to spend time with their family and friends. This winter culture of India is truly heartwarming, isn’t it?
Winter Cultural Events In India
Lohri: It is celebrated mostly in North India, in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and other northern states. The festival marks the end of the winter solstice. Men and women dress up in colorful clothes and exchange sweets and gifts. A special bonfire crackles up in courtyards and town squares and people gather around to sing and dance to folk songs. During the festival, traditional foods made from sesame, jaggery, and corn are consumed. Not only that, but the festival has been a favorite feature in many Indian movies, such as Veer-Zaara.
Pongal: Similar to Lohri, Pongal marks the end of winter solstice and is celebrated in South India, prominently in Tamil Nadu. It also corresponds to Makar Sankranti, another winter festival, and is celebrated over four days. It is meant to honor the Sun God, wherein freshly harvested rice is cooked with milk and jaggery to create ‘Pongal’. Front yards are adorned with traditional kolam art made from a rice powder slurry and cattle are bathed and decorated too.
Makar Sankranti: Makar Sankranti is the third in the trio of these popular winter festivals. It is celebrated almost throughout the country, with celebrations in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka being more well-known. The festival marks the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn. The festival is mostly known for its kite-flying celebrations and traditional sesame sweets exchanged between families and friends.
Apart from these, there are several other festivals and cultural events such as the Magh Bihu, Ziro Festival, Nagaur Festival, Basant Panchami, and Chhath Puja celebrated in various parts of India.
Winter Culture Of Connecting With Your Roots
Even if you look at winter festivals celebrated around the world, a common theme is that of spending time with your family and friends. In the same way, Indian winter customs and festivals emphasize returning to your homeland and reconnecting with old ties. It tells us to slow down – from the daily affairs of life, and instead rejoice in heartwarming celebrations.
Not just people, but winter festivals also ask us to connect with nature and honor it diligently. This is especially reflected in the customs that honor local harvests and animals, such as Mattu Pongal. As the winter season is usually the time when most marriages are held, newlywed couples are encouraged to attend these festivals. These are the ‘first’ set of festivals that the couples celebrate together, in fact, newly-married women are honored and given more importance during these festivities.
As nights grow longer in winter, Indian families huddle around to listen to grandma’s stories, play games, and exchange conversations over a cup of chai. Indian households during winter bloom with newfound enthusiasm, where kitchens and drawing rooms buzz with the preparation of seasonal treats and choosing the right decor. Grandmas bring out their cookie box-cum-sewing kits and make quilts for their grandchildren that are just as warm as their hugs. Did reading about the winter lifestyle in India make you nostalgic already?
Food And Winters: A Love Story Of Indian Winter Culture
If there’s one thing Indians love more than winter, it’s winter food. This season brings a bounty of seasonal produce, and our cuisine rises to the occasion – expanding not just our waistlines but also our smiles. Root vegetables, fresh greens, rice, wheat, ragi, corn, sesame, and jaggery are some of the most consumed foods during this season.
Staples such as sarson da saag and makke di roti and bajra khichdi are synonymous with the warm embrace of the winters. Kashmiri kahwa, til laddoo, undhiyu, gujiya, sondesh, til pitha, and panjiri are some of the other famous winter foods eaten in various other parts of the country. And to top them all off, we have a dish that is THE quintessential winter food – gajar halwa! This decadent carrot pudding is something that Indians, regardless of where they are in the world, can’t seem to get enough of, and we get why.
Our winter diets aren’t merely for pleasing our taste buds, but they’ve been traditionally curated to help us improve immunity during the harsh winters. Most of these foods contain starch, carbohydrates, and fats that help keep the body warm and full during the cold.
Summing Up
Just when the temperatures start dropping, chai cravings reach an all-time high, and blankets unfold, India’s winter culture starts thriving abundantly. Cultural practices in winter in India bring together families, long-lost ties, and the community at large. It’s a time when traditions come alive, and togetherness and love fill the cold, misty air. Winter is not just a season, it’s a whole new experience.
FAQs
What Is Winter Like In Different Parts Of India?
The northern parts of India experience colder temperatures, even below the freezing point in some areas. The central and southern regions have a comparatively milder climate.
Which Region Celebrates Pongal?
Southern India, and more particularly Tamil Nadu celebrates Pongal. It stretches over four days and is celebrated to honor the Sun God.
Are Nights Longer In Winter In India?
Yes, nights are usually longer in winter in India due to the Earth’s tilted axis. During summers, days become longer and nights tend to be shorter.
What Is Sankranti Called In North India?
Makar Sankranti is known by various names throughout India. In North India, it is known as Sakrat, Sukarat, and Sakraat, among others.
