Lohri Festival

History of Lohri: Lohri is famous festival of Punjab state and it is from very old time. There are many famous stories behind celebrating it. One of the most famous beliefs is regarding Dulla Bhatti, who was born as Rai Abdullah Khan Bhatti and grew up along with Salim, the son of Emperor Akbar. He became rebel when ge got to know that how the emperor had executed his father and grandfather and with the assistance Salim started a tough fight against emperor but he was caught due to some critical circumstances and later became a robber who used to rob rich people and gave that money to the poor people. He saved Hindu girls who were forcibly taken to sell in slave market of Middle East and he arranged their marriage as well with Hindu boys with Hindu rituals and gave dowry as well. He was a bandit but because of his these work he became the hero among the people of state Punjab and they sing Lohri song with his name to express him gratitude for his work. Small group of children ring the doorbells of homes singing Lohri song. There are some other belief of people regarding the festival celebration like they believe that Lohri is derived from name of Sant Kabir’s wife Loi and it is pronounced as Lohi in rural regions of Punjab while some believe that word is derived from the “loh”, iron sheet tawa which is used for baking chapattis and some consider Lohri as sister of Holika.

Lohri Festival

Celebration in Punjab: The Lohri festival is celebrated as end of winter time on last day of Paush and beginning of spring season, Magah when sun changes its course and this is also considered as start of New Year. The sun shines from the Uttraryan means it passes from zodiac sign Capricorn and moves toward the north and this change in position of sun provides earth more heat and lessens the affect of winter. The warmth provided by the sun is good for the crops to grow. People lit the fire in night and dance on Lohri songs. People throw the sweets, puffed rice and popcorn in fire and people also worship of Sun with some special kind of Prasad which includes mainly six items like gazak, gur, moongphali, phuliya and popcorn. Fire is associated with concepts of life and health and fire is symbol of transformation and regeneration and also representative of the sun. Sun has great importance in our life as without sunlight life is not possible on earth and it is important of crops and plants as well to grow. Gifts and sweets are also exchanges among relatives and friends on the festive occasion. Houses are cleaned well and people wear their best dresses for the day and gather around the fire to beat the chilly winter and warm their hands from the fire throwing some sweets and peanuts in the fire. People make special dinner at night which they share with the relatives and close friends.

Lohri Festival

Significance of first Lohri: The first Lohri of a new bride or a new born baby is grand occasion in Punjab. They try to make this festival memorable and invite all friends and relatives on the Lohri occasion to celebrate it. Gifts are shared and they sing traditional songs and there are also dance around the bonfire. The celebration lasts for a long time and ends around early morning of next day. This is very special occasion for the married couple who are celebrating their first Lohri together after the marriage with family and relatives. Both the families gather with relative on this occasion and newly married woman wear new clothes, chudiyan and apply mehndi on the hands also the man wear new clothes and colorful pagdi. Some jewelry and clothes like gift are given to the girl from her family. Lohri is celebrated for the child as well whether that is boy or the girl and gift are given by the relatives to the new born baby and her mother. The maternal grandparents also send gifts and clothes for the newly born baby as well as for parental relatives.

Lohri Festival

Harvest festival: It is important time for the farmers as they harvest the crop of wheat in this time and they celebrate their happiness with this festival and thank God for giving them good crops and they have great significance of it. Wheat is main crop of Punjab in winter season which is sown in month of October and harvested in March or April while in month of January the field comes up with promises of golden harvest and farmers celebrate the occasion during this period before cutting and gathering the wheat crop. This is not just a festival for Punjabi people and they have much more importance of it in their life. Men and women perform popular dance of Punjab, Bhangra and Giddha on this festival around the bonfire. Logs of woods are gathered to make bonfire and friends and relative gather around this bonfire to celebrate in the chilly winter. This festivals makes people comes together and unite at the moment.

Lohri Festival

Celebration in other states: Lohri festival of north India coincides with different festivals of other states of country. This festival is celebrated among Hindu and Sikh religion people in North India especially in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal and Delhi region. In other states of India it celebrated with different names and different ways like Pongal in the state Tamil Nadu, Bihu in Assam, Bhogi in Andhra Pradesh, Taj Pongal in Kerala, Makar Sankranti in Karnataka,Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. This festival is celebrated with different name by different states but it works as uniting force for the people and give the people chance to get together and enjoy the festival eve. People celebrate it as start of New Year as well in their own way with different traditional dances and other events organized by the communities at the various places. The purpose of all communities is same to thank the God for giving them good season for harvesting their crop and also continue the good weather conditions for their crops in future.