Lohri

Lohri is celebrated on January 13 every year, a day before Makar Sankranti. It is celebrated to mark the end of the long and cold Winter season and the beginning of harvest season. On the night of this winter festival, a bonfire is lit to stay warm and keep the cold away. 

The festival is primarily celebrated by the Sikhs and the Hindus. 

Lohri is an official holiday in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu. It is also celebrated in other parts of India such as Delhi and Haryana but no holiday is observed on this day. 

The term Lohri is a culmination of two words- til meaning sesame seeds and rohri, a type of brown sugar. Both these foods are supposed to keep your body warm. 

Lohri Celebrations

The bonfire takes the center stage, illuminating the heart of Lohri festivities. Til (Sesame seeds), moongphali (peanuts), jaggery and rewaries are thrown in the bonfire as an offering. It is said that the Lohri bonfire is a sacred fire which grants all your wishes.

People generally create a small idol of the Lohri Goddess with cow dung or gobar. Then a small fire is lit beneath it as everybody worships her. 

It is also said that throwing these offerings in the bonfire helps to cleanse your soul of all the sins and negative past. 

People also exchange greetings and gifts on this day. 

Folk songs, and dance such as bhangra are some of the traditions followed on Lohri. 

Lohri Food and Feast 

On Lohri, most People consume makki ki roti, sarso ka saag and rao di kheer. 

Candies such as chirwara and reuori are thrown in the bonfire. Besides this, some other traditional foods consumed and thrown in the fire on this day include chikki, sesame seeds laddoo, peanuts, and popcorn. 

Significance of Lohri

Also known as the 'Granary of India', Punjab is a major agrarian state where many important crops such as Rabi are grown. With the end of Winter, the harvest season begins in Punjab and Haryana. Thus, Lohri is a significant festival in these states. Farmers pray for a bountiful harvest for the current and upcoming year. 

Lohri is celebrated with great fervour in families where a new baby has been born or a wedding has taken place. The festival is sometimes linked to fertility rituals and prayers for abundant crops and livestock.

The Story Behind Lohri- The Tale of Dulla Bhatti

Dulla Bhatti was a muslim robber who lived during the time of the great Mughal emperor Akbar. He robbed the rich in order to donate them to the poor. 

Dulla Bhatti also saved girls from slave trade and got them married, paying a part of his loot as their dowry. His generous actions won the hearts of everybody. This is why, every year on Lohri, people sing songs in order to express gratitude and pay their respects to him.