Howrah Villages Keep Poush Parbon Traditions Alive: Pitha, Kites, and Lakshmi Puja

• Howrah villages celebrate Poush Parbon with traditional fervor, involving all ages from 8 to 80.
• The festival, spanning three days around Makar Sankranti, sees preparations begin a month in advance.
• Pitha-puli made from new rice grains, Lakshmi Puja, and kite flying are central to the celebrations.
• Despite changes in agriculture, new rice is bought for puja, and traditional earthen pots are still used.
• Villagers purify homes with cow dung and worship new paddy as Lakshmi, preserving ancient customs.

Why It Matters: Howrah's Poush Parbon showcases enduring rural traditions, blending pitha, kites, and Lakshmi Puja.