Makar Sankranti is a festival that aims at thanking the mother Earth and celebrating the harvest of crops. It is said to be one of the most selfless festivities which does not have a wish or intention to be fulfilled and rather aims at thanking nature. Not only does India celebrate the harvest festival, but many countries around the world celebrate harvest time by doing different activities. Let’s discuss the international festivities similar to Makar Sankranti
Thanksgiving
All of you must have heard about this very famous festival celebrated in the United States of America. It is a national USA holiday and falls on the fourth Tuesday of November where people socialize with their loved ones. Families and friends come together to have a delightful dinner of extra unique delicacies consisting of a whole Turkey meal and some other signature dishes. It originated in 1621 when Pilgrims celebrated their successful wheat crop with a three-day feast where they shared their meal of Patridge, wild turkey and fish with Native American tribes.
Moon Festival
China is yet another country who values their
agricultural resources and so do they celebrate it with a lot of pomp and show.
The famous Moon festival of China is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th
the month of the Chinese lunar calendar in honor of the harvesting of the rice and
wheat crops. During the Festival, families gather together to view the full
moon which is regarded as a symbol of harmony, luck, and abundance. They consume
different varieties of moon cakes with a good cup of piping hot Chinese tea and
have an overdose of lanterns!
Bali Rice Harvest
Indonesia – the land of rice! This country
does not forget to celebrate its uniqueness which lies in large scale
production of rice. During this festival, villages are decorated with flags and
simple bamboo temples dedicated in honor of the goddess are erected in the
most sacred corners of the rice fields. People come together to rejoice the
crops and feast together on a large scale.
Sukkot
Israel – the land of desserts! They make sure
to celebrate their ancient lifestyle until now. Celebrating Israel’s bountiful
harvests, this festival recalls the time when the Israelites wandered the
desert living in temporary shelters. As a result, families build makeshift
huts or sukkah with roofs open to the sky where they eat and sometimes sleep
for seven days.
Lammas Festival
Lammas Festival is celebrated in the United Kingdom and it marks the abundant production of crops. They do boost their quality production of wheat by baking bread and leaving them in the altars of the Church.
Madeira Flower Festival
For sure a bit different from the other
harvest festivals! Portugal enjoys celebrating the beautiful fragrant wind and
the arrival of spring. The streets seem mesmerizing with the beautiful flowers
spreading all around.
KNOW MORE ABOUT MAKAR SANKRANTI
Makar Sankranti Puja and Rituals, Vrat Katha and Vidhi
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