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Lohri | Lohri Festival & Traditional Celebrations

Lohri

The festival of Lohri which marks the end of winters is celebrated across most Northern parts of India, especially in Punjab and Haryana. Lohri is celebrated every year on 13th January, a day before Makar Sankranti, in the month of Magh (as per the Sikh calendar). Being one of the harvest festivals of Punjab, Lohri holds great significance for the people residing in the state. The festival of Lohri is considered to be extremely auspicious, as it marks the entry of the Sun into the ‘Makar Raashi’.

The origin of the festival is related to the central character of most popular Lohri song i.e., Dulla Bhatti, a robber who lived in Punjab during the reign of Emperor Akbar. Although he was a robber, he used to release Hindu girls who were forcibly sold in the slave markets of Middle East. After rescuing those girls, he used to arrange their marriages to Hindu boys. This noble cause changed his image from a being a dacoit into a hero. Hence, every Lohri song has words to express thankfulness to Dulla Bhatti.

Traditional Celebrations 

In the morning, little boys and girls go door-to-door singing the famous song related to this festival i.e. ‘Sundar mundariye hoye’, to collect the funds for the community bonfires, to be lit-up in the evening. Huge wooden logs are arranged together for a bonfire. Once the bonfire is lit, people take three rounds of the bonfire and pray to the Agni for abundant crops and prosperity, simultaneously putting in popcorns, peanuts and rayveris. Once the prayers are over, the prasad of til, peanuts, rayveri, puffed rice, popcorns, gajak and sweets is distributed. Following this, people perform the traditional Punjabi folk dances- Bhangra and Giddha around the bonfire.

How to celebrate Lohri at home?

    • Tell your children the story behind celebrating Lohri.
    • Dress-up your children in new traditional clothes.
    • Teach your children the famous Dulla-Bhatti song.
    • Brighten up your home by decorating it with lights.
    • Invite your relatives and friends at your place to celebrate the festival of Lohri together.
    • Prepare traditional dishes such as Sarson da Saag, makki ki roti, kurmure laddu etc.
    • Encourage your children to plant new trees and saplings, since a lot of trees are cut down to arrange the wooden logs for the bonfire.

So, along with your children celebrate Lohri by following the tips given above, while singing and dancing to the tunes of ‘Sundar mundariye hoye’.

Happy Lohri!! 

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