Chennai/Hyderabad, January 13, 2026: Today marks the beginning of the four-day harvest festival in South India, starting with Bhogi. Celebrated with great fervor in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, Bhogi is a day of transformation, where people bid farewell to the old and usher in a season of prosperity and abundance.
The most iconic tradition of Bhogi is the early morning bonfire. Before sunrise, families gather outside their homes to light a fire using wood and other solid fuels.
Discarding the Old: People throw old mats, clothes, and useless household items into the fire. This ritual, known as Bhogi Mantalu or Bhogi Padigalu, symbolizes the destruction of negative thoughts, bad habits, and past failures.
Cleaning and Decoration: Homes are thoroughly cleaned and whitewashed. The entrances are decorated with elaborate and colorful Kolams (Rangoli) made with rice flour and marigold flowers to welcome Goddess Lakshmi.
Bhogi is dedicated to Lord Indra, the God of Rain and Clouds. Farmers offer their gratitude to Indra for providing timely rains that resulted in a bountiful harvest.
Indra Puja: Special prayers are performed to seek blessings for future crops and the well-being of livestock.
Bhogi Pallu: In many households, a unique ritual involving children is performed. Fruits like jujube (Regi Pandlu), sugarcane, and coins are showered over children to protect them from the "evil eye" and ensure their long life.
No Indian festival is complete without traditional food. On Bhogi:
In Tamil Nadu, Poli (a sweet flatbread stuffed with lentil and jaggery) is a must-prepare dish.
In Andhra Pradesh, families enjoy Mung Dal Khichdi and dishes made with freshly harvested grains.
This year, there has been a significant shift toward "Green Bhogi." To prevent air pollution, state governments in Chennai and Hyderabad have issued advisories against burning plastic, rubber, or toxic materials in the bonfires. Citizens are encouraged to use only organic waste and wood to keep the air clean while maintaining the spirit of the tradition.