Explanations:Harvest festivals are an integral part of many cultures around the world, particularly in agrarian societies. These festivals are celebrated to mark the end of the agricultural cycle and the beginning of the harvest season. They are often associated with thanksgiving, community feasts, and rituals that honor the deities or spirits believed to be responsible for a bountiful harvest.
In India, harvest festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm and are deeply rooted in the agricultural traditions of the country. Two such festivals are Bihu and Pongal. Bihu is celebrated in Assam and marks the beginning of the Assamese new year and the start of the agricultural cycle. It is a time when farmers prepare the fields for the new crop season. The festival is celebrated with traditional dances, songs, and feasts.
Pongal, on the other hand, is a harvest festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu. It marks the end of the harvest season and is a time when farmers express gratitude for the bountiful harvest. The festival is named after the traditional dish "pongal," which is made from freshly harvested rice and milk. Pongal is celebrated over four days, each with its own significance and rituals.
Diwali, while a major Hindu festival, is not a harvest festival. It is primarily a festival of lights, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. It is celebrated with the lighting of lamps, fireworks, and the exchange of sweets and gifts. Diwali is associated with the worship of the goddess Lakshmi, who is the deity of wealth and prosperity.
Therefore, when identifying harvest festivals, it is important to focus on those that are directly related to the agricultural cycle and the celebration of the harvest. Bihu and Pongal fit this description, while Diwali does not. This makes option D, which states "Only (A) & (B)," the correct answer.