Bhogi Mantalu : On the occasion of Bhogi Pandugan, which is the first day of the four-day harvest festival of Pongal celebrated in South India, a ritual known as Bhogi Mantalu takes place. In the early morning, bonfires are lit in front of every house or at designated communal spaces. The purpose of these bonfires is to burn away old and useless items, symbolizing the discarding of the past and the welcoming of the new.
People gather various items that are no longer needed, such as bhogi pitakas (bundles of agricultural waste or discarded materials) or gobbemmas (decorative cow dung balls), and place them in the bonfires. The bonfires serve as a representation of letting go of the old and making way for fresh beginnings and prosperity.
Bhogi Mantalu & Bonfire
In some villages, a centralized bonfire is set up for the entire community to gather around and participate in the ritual together. In most cases, however, bonfires are lit at the end of each street or in front of individual households, allowing neighbors and local residents to come together and join in the festivities. This tradition of lighting bonfires during Bhogi Pandugan is still practiced in many areas as part of the rich cultural heritage of the region.
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