Lohri is one of the most beautiful festivals celebrated with gaiety, chivalry, and pomp. The festival celebrates the onset of harvesting season and the arrival of the new year. Although the festival is mostly celebrated by the Punjabi community, Punjabi or non-Punjabi, the beauty of the gala fest is such that it unites people from every state and religion. This year, Lohri will be celebrated on 13th January which is a Wednesday. Places like Amritsar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Jalandhar are dressed in celebratory festive hues.
Table of contents
1. Lohri is the festival of the bonfire.
2. What is the significance of Lohri?
3. The interesting stories behind this celebration.
4. “De maaye Lohri, Jeeve Teri Jodi”
5. The celebrations are enough to keep everyone on their toes.
6. The day is celebrated as a special welcome for some special one.
7. The mouthwatering festive foods enlighten the mood.
8. Let us celebrate the festival in a real sense!
9. Conclusion
Lohri is the festival of bonfire
The festival is celebrated with the full swing of happiness and joys in the states of Northern India, especially Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.
The key tradition of the festival is the lighting of the ceremonial huge bonfire after sunset as a representation of the sun god, the source of physical and spiritual energy. The lighting of the bonfire has been common in winter festivals throughout time and the world
It signifies the return of long warm days. Celebrating with lighting bonfire is an ancient tradition, which forms a key part of Lohri traditions.
What is the significance of Lohri?
Lohri holds a special significance to the folks of Punjab by evolving as an important festival for farming communities. While numerous states of North India celebrate it, it is celebrated with special glee and grandeur in Punjab, the wheat basket of India.
Lohri is celebrated the night just before Winter Solstice. It marks the coldest night of the year, which is followed by the longest night and shortest day of the year. After that, the onset of a long day begins.
The interesting stories behind this celebration.
The famous legend of Dulla Bhatti
Dulla Bhatti was a Muslim bandit who lived during the era of Mughal Emperor Akbar. He rescued Hindu girls from being sold as slaves in the Middle East. He got them married to Hindu boys in the presence of fire (Agni) and sung songs in celebration. Thus, the tradition of the Lohri bonfire began. Two girls named Sundri and Mundri were taught by him and are included as part of the Lohri folk song, Sunder Mundriye. His bravery and heroism are still sung today.
Another folktale is that Holika and Lohri were sisters. Holika perished in the Holi fire in the story of Prahlad while Lohri lived. People also say that Lohri has derived its name from Loi, the wife of Saint Kabir.
“De maaye Lohri, jeeve Teri Jodi”
Children are extremely excited about the festival of Lohri. They roam in groups, visit every house in the neighborhood singing songs of Lohri, and collecting contributions for the bonfire. They plan their dances and perform group dances.
People also sing the traditional Lohri Song representing the tale of Dulla Bhatti
“Sundar Mundriye Ho…Tera Kon Vichara Ho…Dulla Bhatti Vaala Ho….”
The celebrations are enough to keep everyone on their toes
Days before the festival of Lohri begins, people collect dry leaves, cow dungs, twigs, dry leaves for the bonfire.The villagers and locals especially get dressed in their traditional Punjabi attire. Women look extremely magnificent all draped in lehengas, kurtas, and vibrant dupattas while men are dressed in bright kurtas, dhotis, and pagdis and they perform traditional dances – Bhangra and Giddha.
People do parikrama around the fire. Those present go around it clockwise with the words “ Ishar Aaye Dalidar jaaye (Positivity will come and the negativity will be banished) ”, and then a traditional treat is distributed to everyone – the Parshad and gifts.
In some cities, people arrange kite-flying competitions. It is extremely wonderful to witness the sky filled with colorful kites.
The day is celebrated as a special welcome for some special one.
The first Lohri is special for the newlywed couple and a newborn baby.
The family hosts a grand feast. The newly-wed girl dresses like a bride with traditional garments and adorns herself with traditional jewelry. As the new couple sits at the center of celebrations, friends and family surround them to wish and gift them.
Also, The maternal and paternal grandparents shower their blessings and gifts on the child.
The mouthwatering festive foods enlighten the mood
Festival is nothing without food. So Sarson ka saag and Makki ki roti are prepared on this day. Also, a sweet dish called Ganne di kheer (Suhavane pudding ) is the cooker. Some traditional snacks like
Phully (popcorn), ganna (sugar cane), mungphali (peanuts), and gajak (a sweet dish made of sesame seeds or peanuts and jaggery) are specialties for this day.
Let us celebrate the festival of lohri in a real sense!
The real meaning of festivals is celebrating them together. True happiness can be gathered when we bring a smile to the face of someone who dreams of happiness. There are people in the streets who do not have proper clothes to wear and to celebrate a festival is far beyond their imagination. So this year let us celebrate Lohri with them, gifting them the clothes they need, distributing food and snacks to them. Also, Lohri signifies the removal of negativity. So let us all pray for positivity to win over our bad habits. Let us shun our vices on this auspicious occasion.
Conclusion
Let us celebrate our festivals in a real sense by doing welfare works. Wishing everyone a Happy Lohri.
