Lohri commemorates the winter solstice and is marked in northern India by the lighting of bonfires and the flying and battling of kites.
The festival of Lohri is being celebrated across India, especially in Punjab, today with traditional fervour and gaiety as various functions are being held across the region to mark the day. Considered to be the new year for Punjabi farmers as it marks the day of harvest for their rabi crops, the festival of Lohri ushers in a new dawn and also bids goodbye to the cold and bone-chilling winters.
The harvest festival, which falls on January 13 this year, commemorates the winter solstice and is marked in northern India by the lighting of bonfires and the flying and battling of kites.
SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook messages to wish Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal
Primarily celebrated in the Punjab region by Sikhs and Hindus, Lohri marks the end of the winter season. Bonfire and folk songs are a major part of the folk celebration, and a puja parikrama around the bonfire is performed followed by the distribution of Prasad. Welcoming longer days and the sun's journey to the northern hemisphere, it is observed the night before Makar Sankranti or Maghi and typically, falls about the same date every year on January 13.
Celebrities and politicians alike wished the nation on the joyous occasion.
1. What is Lohri?
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Lohri celebrates the harvest of rabi crops, which are sown in the winter. It thus follows that winter foods like sarson (mustard leaves), sesame, whole wheat and spinach are an integral part of the festival. As part of the festivities, dinner is served after the bonfire ritual.
(Photo: PTI)
2. How Lohri got its name?
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Til (sesame) and rorhi (jaggery) are eaten as traditional festive foods. The words til and rorhi together make ' tilohri ', which eventually got rechristened to Lohri, it is believed.
(Photo: AFP)
3. Celebrations
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Bonfires, an important part of Lohri festivities, was lit as several families danced to the tunes of famous festival songs like 'Sundariye Mundariye Ho', among others. Good portions of Rewri, Gajak and Peanuts were available and people were seen enjoying these popular 'Lohri' items, as they broke into interesting jigs to celebrate the festival.
'Dholis' present at several gatherings were another sight rendering traditional Punjabi touch to the celebrations as people enjoyed 'Bhangra' dancing.
Traditionally, Lohri festival celebrates the onset of the harvest season in Punjab and is celebrated to offer thanks to God for the crops before they begin harvesting them. It is also believed that Lohri night is the longest night of the year and according to the Lunar calendar, marks the winter solstice. The festival also marks the end of the coldest month of the year as the earth now starts to turn towards the sun.
(Photo: PTI)
4. Why the bonfire is lit on Lohri
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According to folklore, the flames of the fire are known to carry messages to the sun which is why the day after Lohri is warm and sunny bringing an end to "gloomy" winter days. The following day is celebrated as 'Makar Sankranti' to mark the beginning of bright days ahead.
(Photo: PTI)
5. Why is food fed to the fire on Lohri?
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Foods like gajak, even puffed rice and items like popcorn are thrown into the bonfire that symbolises Agni, the God of Fire. It is believed that these offerings are thrown in the sparkling flames to effectively impress the gods and thus seek blessings for yourself and family.
Moreover, people also justify saying that such an act is considered even more auspicious for families, especially the newly married couples and even for parents who are blessed with newborns. Many have tried to justify this act by explaining that it marks the end of all evil. Families also tend to offer prayers thinking it would infuse purity in their household.
(Photo: PTI)
