Bhogi is the first day of four-day Sankranthi festival in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Tamil people celebrated Bhogi as Bhogi Pongal. Bhogi Mantalu and Bhogi Pallu are the main ritual during Bhogi festival. In the early morning, people light a sacred bonfire called Bhogi Mantalu. Children dance around bhogi mantalu, singing songs in praise of the gods and the South Indian harvest festival.

On Bhogi day, women folk spray cow dung and water in front of house and draw rangoli (muggulu). On Muggu (rangoli), gobbemmalu are kept. Gobbemma is a cow dung ball, decorated with pasupu (turmeric), kumkum, and flowers.

The major legend of Bhogi is associated with the divine marriage of Godadevi and Sri Ranganatha swamy. This day also marks the end of Dhanurmasam. Vishnu puja is considered as highly auspicious during Bhogi. And as per another legend, Bhogi is the favorite day for Lord Indra hence Indra puja is also performed in some places.

In the evening on Bhogi festival day, elders in the home showers ‘Bhogi Pallu’ on children. The main purpose of this ritual is to pray Lord Vishnu for better health of children.

Apart from traditional and spiritual reasons, all these Bhogi rituals and celebrations have good scientific reasons. Gobbemma which is made of cow dung and turmeric creates a worm-free environment in the house. Bhogi Mantalu (burning the agricultural waste and domestic waste) not only clears the waste but also makes the fields free from harmful insects and worms.

Kanuma festival is the third day of four-day Sankranthi festival celebrated in Andhra Pradesh. Kanuma 2010 date is January 15, 2010. Govardhana Puja or Go puja (worship of cows) is the major ritual during Kanuma. It is believed that Lord Sri Krishna was lifted the Govardhana parvatham (Mount Govardhan) to save the farmers and people of Gokulam. Lord Indra with his anguish poured heavy cyclone on Gokulam where little Krishna lived with his family and people. People went to Krishna and requested him to save them from this natural disaster.

Lord Krishna knew it was the result of Indra’s headstrong nature and lifted Mount Govardhan with his little finger. Indra realized that Krishna was none other than Sri Maha Vishnu and worshipped him to forgive. As a commemoration of Lord krishna’s victory over headstrong Indra, Kanuma festival is celebrated.

Kanuma festival is celebrated as Mattu Pongal in Tamil Nadu. Mattu Pongal is dedicated to the cattle. This is the third day of four-day Pongal festival. On Kanuma 2010, Kankana Surya Grahanam will take place. It will be visible in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, the surya grahan will be visible as pakshika surya grahanam.

Surya Pongal is the second day of four-day Pongal festival in Tamil Nadu. Surya Pongal 2010 date is January 15, 2010. As the name suggests, the festival is dedicated to Surya or Sun God. Surya Pongal is celebrated as Makar Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and North Indian states. This is also the first day of the Tamil month of Thai masam. Kolam is the main attraction of Pongal festival in Tamil Nadu. Women folk take it as a challenge to decorate their houses with beautiful kolam designs.

Surya Puja is the most important ritual during Surya Pongal festival. Devotees offer naivedyam of milk and jiggery to Lord Surya. Milk is boiled in every house in a clay pot and when the boiled spills out from the pot, children shout out “Pongal – oh – Pongal”. In some places, Pongal (rice recipe) is cooked. Surya Puja marks the beginning of Thai month. Surya Stotras or Prayers of Lord Surya are recited during the Surya Pongal Puja.

Bhogi Pongal or Bogi festival is the first day of Pongal celebrated in Tamil Nadu. The similar festival is celebrated in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka with same name. Bhogi Pongal 2010 date is January 13. Bogi festival is dedicated to Lord Indra, the God of clouds and Rains. This is the reason why Bhogi Pongal is also called as Indran.

On Bhogi Pongal, people clean their houses and keep the surroundings neat. They store unwanted and waste goods for this festival. Devotees keep their houses attractive and to welcome all Gods they draw beautiful Kolam (floral designs or rangoli designs). Some types of grains or rice are kept on kolam designs. In some areas, cow dung balls are also kept on kolams.

In the evening, the main ritual called ‘Bhogi Mantalu’ or the sacred bonfire is performed. The waste material is kept in middle and set fire. In some places, people dance around the Bhogi Mantalu or sacred bonfire.

Makar Sankranti is one of the biggest Hindu festivals celebrated with pomp. It is observed on the occasion of Sun’s transit to Makara Rashi (Capricorn zodiac sign). Makara Sankraman Snan is very auspicious during Sankranthi. Makar Sankranti 2010 date is January 14, Thursday. As per Telugu and Kannada calendars, Sun transits to Makara Rashi at 5.38 hrs in the evening on January 14, 2010. Chatushpath namaka karanam and Mithuna Lagnam.

Makara Sankramanam will be on Thursday hence ‘manda nama’ (happiness for Brahmins), ‘nimba snana’ (fear of diseases), ‘Yavakshatha Dharana’, ‘Kambala vasthra dharana’, Anjana lepanam, Mallika pushpa dharana, Neelamani dharana, Daaru pathra dharana, Madhu bakshana, Kharjura phala dharana, Aja (goat) vahana, Ankushayudha dharana, Shoorpachathra dharana (strength), Chakra dharana (bad omen for elephants), Pathala digyanam, Dhyanavastha, and Oorthwamukha cheshta. Sankranti falls on Chaturdashi tithi, Thursday and Mithuna lagnam hence happiness, bliss and prosperity makes the year great. But there is a possibility of drought.