Navanna

Navanna is a harvest festival, not much unlike the Tamil festival Pongal, celebrated in West bengal. Navanna is celebrated in the eastern region of the Indian Subcontinent. Nava means new and Anna means grain. It is celebrated when the ‘aman’ paddy is harvested. Harvest festivals are an integral part of India. India is primarily an agricultural nation, and much of the harvest output depends on timely rainfall. So, the festivals are organized with huge grandeur to appease the gods so that the yields remain high all year long.

In Bangladesh, Navanna was primarily a Hindu festival. This used to be celebrated after the autumn harvest. Like Mahalaya, a vital rite of this festival was to propitiate the ancestors with new rice. Thereafter, offerings would be made to deities, the sacred fire, animals and Brahmins. Rice is an important part in this festival. Rice paste is used to decorate courtyards and rice cakes are exchanged with neighbors.

In Bangladesh, the aboriginal tribal population celebrates the harvest festivals with pomp. The Soharay festival is celebrated by the Santhals. This takes place in the winter months of Poush and Magh (December-January) after the harvest. The celebrations last for a week with unrestrained drinking, singing and dancing. Likewise, the Usui tribes celebrate the Mailukma festival. This is done in the honour and veneration of Goddess Lakshmi. Similarly, the Mru tribes celebrate the Chamoinat festival where they feast on sacrifical hens and guests are entertained by the new harvested rice. The Garo tribes of Meghalaya also celebrate the Wangalla festival, which marks the end of a harvest season and promises loads of merrymaking.