MARCH - PHAGAN
March. A time when the seasons turn with greater conviction. In the Northern Hemisphere, the grip of winter finally loosens, as spring takes its first true breath. Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere begins to let go of summer, making way for autumn. March is a bridge between worlds - a month of dualities. A month wherein nature dances between warmth and coolness.
In the north, the snow has mostly melted away, leaving behind patches of frost and the early buds of spring flowers. The days grow longer. People step outside. The sun shines bright after months of retreat. Coats and scarves become lighter, swapped for duster coats. In some places the chill lingers, but the air feels softer, less biting. Every morning holds a hint of promise, as the landscape shifts from a barren brown to the first blush of green.
In the southern hemisphere, March marks a farewell to the heat. Late summer days fade, giving way to the cooler autumn evenings. Trees begin to change their colours, leaves turning shades of amber, gold, and crimson before they fall. The air has a different quality - a refreshing coolness that signals the end of summer’s relentless heat. People sit on their patios, enjoying the last warm breezes, knowing that cooler nights lie ahead.
Yet March is not only about the changing weather. It’s a time when new beginnings take root. A moment when resolutions are revisited, and goals are realigned. There’s an energy to March - a sense that things are in motion, that progress is just around the corner. It’s a month of anticipation, where the slow pace of the early year gives way to a quicker motion. For some, it’s a time to plant seeds, to prepare for what’s coming. For others, it’s about appreciating the last echoes of summer or the first glimpses of spring.
In Punjab, March coincides with Phagan, a month deeply intertwined with the rhythms of farming. During this time, the land and its farmers move in sync, guided by centuries-old traditions and the promise of an upcoming harvest. The fields that lay dormant in the winter now hum with activity, as farmers prepare to reap the rewards of their efforts.
Phagan is a time when the golden wheat fields of Punjab reach their prime. Standing tall. Swaying gently. A warm breeze sweeping across the plains.
The air is thick with anticipation as farmers prepare their sickles, their hands familiar with the feel of the harvest season. Early mornings see them in the fields, hidden between the ripened stalks, cutting and gathering the golden bundles that will soon fill their homes. It’s a time when the landscape is dotted with figures moving through fields. Deep in labour, and spirits high with full faith that the hard months are coming to fruition.
Phagan is a celebration of the bond between the farmer and his land. The wheat, having braved the winter chill, now stands resilient, its grains full and ready to be gathered. There’s a sense of fulfillment in every swing of the sickle, a recognition that each grain is a result of months of dedication and careful tending. The sun climbs higher in the sky, the fields fill with the rhythmic sound of threshing - separating grain from chaff, a task as old as time - traditionally called a gaah.
Note: The process of gaah would be done manually using animals like oxen or with wooden tools to beat the harvested crop. Nowadays, it is more commonly done with the help of mechanical threshers. This step is crucial in preparing the crop for consumption or sale, and it typically takes place in the fields or nearby farmyards after the harvest.
During this season, the mustard flowers that once painted the fields yellow have turned to seed, their stalks dried and ready for collection. Farmers carefully gather these seeds, which will later be pressed into mustard oil - a staple in every Punjabi kitchen. The barns, which held the feed and shelter during the cold months, now echo with the sounds of sorting, as families work together to store the harvested grains.
Even as they work, the farmers of Punjab take a moment to look out over their fields, their hearts swelling with a mix of pride and relief. The barns grow fuller, and the granaries are stocked with fresh produce, a sign that the coming months will be secure - the farmer stores his grain and livestock to feed his family, and sell in marketplaces. This directly impacts the financial stability and food security for the forthcoming seasons.
The days of Phagan are warm, but the nights carry a coolness that serves as a reminder of winter’s recent departure. Farmers continue to gather around the angeethi, warming their hands, talking late into the evening about the work that still remains. They know that after the harvest, preparations for the next cycle will begin - clearing the fields, turning the soil, and planning for the crops that will follow.
Cities, too, experience the shift that Phagan brings. Fresh produce fills the markets, and people savour the sweetness of the first spring harvest. Families visit the countryside, marveling at the sight of golden fields stretching under the blue sky, a sight that symbolises prosperity and hope.
Phagan is about balance - between the toil of the harvest and the satisfaction of its reward. The rivers, fed by melting snow from glaciers and the Himalayas, run fuller, faster, carrying the essence of spring into the heart of Punjab. The fields may be busy. But there is a sense of calmness in knowing that each task serves a purpose, each day a step forward in the continuous rhythm of farming.
The sun sets behind the harvested fields, casting long shadows across the land. It’s a time of labor, yes. Also a time of gratitude, of recognising the connection between effort and reward. It’s a month that reminds us to honour the cycles that sustain us. To appreciate the gifts that the land offers. To prepare for the growth that follows.
In Phagan, the promise of spring is fully realised, as every day grows warmer, brighter, and more alive. It’s a month that carries the hope of renewal, of new beginnings, even as the harvest draws to a close. And as March ends, Phagan gives way to Chet, welcoming in the true warmth of spring and the vibrant life that it brings.
A depiction of rural Punjab during the harvest season of Phagan.
As the flowers begin to bloom, and the fields are ready for harvest, may Phagan be full of new possibilities and prosperity. With hope, Trish Saab.