“Lohri” is the first Indian festival that is celebrated at the beginning of the New Year and is enjoyed with great pomp and enthusiasm. This is a major festival of Punjab in Northern India that marks the tribute to farmers since it signifies the harvest of Rabi crops as a result of their hard work and efforts. This festival also defines the end of the winter season which means we can expect longer and warmer days afterward. Lohri falls on 13th January every year in the month of “Paush”. This day means the beginning of the “Magh” month and a day later when Pongal and Makar Sankranti is celebrated over the nation.
Who celebrates Lohri in India?
Lohri is mainly known as a major festival in Punjab and is also in celebration in other parts of the country including Haryana, Jammu, and Himachal Pradesh, i.e. North India. If we broadly say, Sikhs and Hindus celebrate it all over the country. On the night of Lohri, you will find people dancing and singing around the sacred bonfire. There are many folk songs that people sing on this day.
How is Lohri celebrated?
The bonfire is lit after the sunset in the village square or at people’s homes. People move around this bonfire in circles and toss sesame seeds, gur, gachchak, and rewari on the bonfire. People often sing prayers and Lohri songs while moving in circles around the fire which is considered as a sign of respect towards the natural element or Lord fire (Agnidev). During the day, kids go from door to door in their neighborhood and ask for “Lodi”. People offer them sweets and savories. Turning them back empty-handed is not considered as auspicious as per the tradition. The children collect sweets, gur, peanuts, gachchak, and popcorn which is known as Lohri.
Songs for the festival
“Sunder mundriye ho!
Tera kaun vicharaa ho!
Dullah Bhatti walla ho!
Dullhe di dhee vyayae ho!
Ser shakkar payee ho!
Kudi da laal pathaka ho!
Kudi da saalu paata ho!
Salu kaun samete!”
“Toda! Tode upar saag
Saag! Saag wich mirch
Mirch! Mirch lgi kodi
Kodi! Deyo sanu lohri
Toda! Tode upar saag
Saag! Saag wich mirch
Mirch! Mirch lgi kodi
Kodi! Deyo sanu Lohri”
