Lohri

Punjab- a region of warmth, diverse culture and myriad festivals. A visit here is incomplete in winters without witnessing the spectacular festival of Lohri. It is celebrated on 13th January each year according to the Gregorian calendar by both Sikhs and Hindus in the Punjab region. It marks the end of the extreme cold winters and the onset of longer and sunnier days, the Sun’s journey to the Northern Hemisphere. It is also associated with the worship of the Sun deity (Surya) and worship of the fire goddess (Agni) who is also the goddess of Lohri. However, Lohri is also a winter harvest festival; it celebrates the harvest of the rabi crops grown during the winters like mustard, radish, wheat, sugarcane etc. Lohri is observed the night before Makar Sankranti, also known as Maghi (the financial new year) rewarding everyone with financial prosperity.

            Before the final day, groups of children go around singing Lohri folk songs like ‘Sunder Mundriye’ and are rewarded with money or sweets. Children (mainly boys) also collect materials like logs or money or delicacies made from rabi crops like popcorn, gurh (made from sugarcane), groundnuts, gachak, rewri etc. from houses.

On the day of Lohri, a huge bonfire is lit and everyone is served gachak, rewri, groundnuts and popcorn. These are tossed into the fire chanting the words ‘Isshar aiye Dalidar jaye’ to welcome the Punjabi new year on a high note. For main course in a Lohri dinner, everyone is served ‘Sarson da sag’(mustard greens) and ‘makki di roti’.

Lohri is a popular social gathering and is often observed as a way to meet relatives and friends. It is celebrated with much pomp and gaiety by singing songs, dancing (Giddha and Bhangra) and telling Punjabi folklore.

Overtly, Lohri is a festival to mark the end of the extreme cold of winters and welcome sunny days. It is also a harvest festival of rabi crops and brings much joy and happiness.

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