New Delhi: Lohri is celebrated on January 13 every year. This festival marks the conclusion of the winter month Paush (also known as Poh). The festival also marks the arrival of Uttarayana, the sun’s journey towards the North, which means longer and warmer days ahead. This change is considered important for farmers since it gives hope for a successful harvest. On the occasion of Lohri, let us learn some interesting facts about the festival.
Interesting facts about Lohri festival
- Lohri is a lively Punjabi festival celebrated in northern India. It is also known as Lohadi or Lal Loi and takes place on the eve of Makar Sankranti.
- This harvest festival marks the end of the winter solstice, bringing longer days and shorter nights.
- People offer prayers to Agni Dev (the Fire God) and Surya Devta (the Sun God), wishing for a good harvest in the coming season.
- Traditionally, Lohri was an important harvest festival, especially for farming families. Over time, it has become a celebration of fire worship, representing warmth and light.
- The main focus of Lohri is a sacred bonfire, which represents fertility, prosperity, and good luck, especially for newlyweds and families with newborns.
- A bonfire is lit using wood and cow dung cakes in open spaces or outside their homes. They express gratitude by tossing til (sesame seeds), gur (jaggery), gajak and phulliyan (popcorn) into the fire and perform parikrama, which means circling the fire. People gather around the fire in the evening to sing traditional songs like “Sunder Mundriye“. The fire also symbolises a fresh start, as it burns away old negative thoughts.
- A beloved story of Lohri is about Dulla Bhatti, a Punjabi folk hero who rescued Hindu girls from slavery during the Mughal era. He arranged their marriages and sang celebratory songs, which people still sing today to honour his bravery.
- Lohri is also a treat for food lovers! Special dishes like sarson ka saag, makki ki roti, gur ki kheer are made and enjoyed. These foods add to the festive spirit and help keep people warm during the cold winter evenings.
- Lohri would not be complete without the energetic beats of the dhol and folk dances like Bhangra and Gidda. People dress in colourful traditional clothing, singing and dancing around the bonfire, celebrating unity and joy. It is a vibrant and joyful event.
- Lohri often happens alongside other harvest festivals in India, such as Makar Sankranti in North India, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, and Magh Bihu in Assam. All these festivals share a common theme of thanking for a successful harvest, making Lohri part of a nationwide celebration of prosperity.
- On Lohri, it is believed that the day is the shortest and the night is the longest. After this festival, the days start to get longer, and the nights begin to shorten.
Lohri marks the end of winter and the sun’s northward journey. It involves a bonfire, symbolic offerings, and joyous celebrations. Traditional songs, folk dances (Bhangra and Gidda), and special foods like sarson ka saag and makki ki roti are integral parts of the festivities. Lohri also honours folk hero Dulla Bhatti and coincides with other harvest festivals across India. This lively event signifies prosperity, warmth, and the promise of a bountiful harvest. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
