Sankranti, the harvest festival of India, is celebrated in Mid-January. It has many names across the country but the purpose is the same. It is the time of harvest and each state has its own set of customs and traditions through which it celebrates this festival.

Mid-January, before the schools officially reopen
all the kids run into the yard
with broken wooden chairs and newspapers
to put in the Bhogi fire

The fire that cleanses the useless items
and reduces the deadwood in the home
A time to add new joy into our life
and celebrate the cleansing process

Winter is halfway done
in a few more weeks, it shall be flowers and sun
the world’s cold melts a little
and warmth spreads across

The sun is turning
and the kites are high up in the air
sky filled with many different patterns and colors
and the streets filled children’s excitement

It’s time for the harvest
and the arrival of Haridas
It’s time for the harvest
and the cleansing of our own lives

-Surya T