Wishing all an auspicious Bhogi , the first day preceding Makara Sankranthi. It is the day when people dispose off their old belongings, which are not being used in a huge bonfire. Bhogi Mantalu serve as a bonding purpose too.

It is also quite a good way to beat the winter cold. One of the memories of childhood is when we would huddle around these huge bonfires, and also have our water heated on them( yes those were the days when we had no geysers). The bonfire also symbolizes the discarding of old habits, vices, material attachments in the fire of knowledge. It is also called as Rudra Gita Gyana Yagna, and represents the realization and transformation of the soul. Another feature of Bhogi is showering small kids less than 3 yrs old with the Regu Pallu( the jujube fruit). It is done to ward off the evil eye, and lot of sweets, are prepared, distributed on this occasion .