Lohri, one of the major festivals of Hindus, is approaching and people are gearing up to celebrate it with joy and enthusiasm. Lohri marks the end of the winter season and the beginning of the spring season. It also commemorates the harvest of the Rabi crop.
The festival is celebrated with great fervor and pomp in Punjab and Haryana. It is also observed in some parts of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu Kashmir. This year, Lohri will be celebrated on January 14, 2024.
Lohri has a special significance for Hindus. It is celebrated a day before Makar Sankranti, another harvest festival. Lohri honours the martyrdom of Chali Mukte, the forty liberated ones, who sacrificed their lives for Sikhism. People perform Ardas, a prayer, in Gurudwaras and offer their respects to them.
Lohri has a rich folklore associated with it. According to legend, during the reign of Mughal emperor Akbar, there was a dacoit named Dulla Bhatti in Punjab. He was known for his bravery and courage, as he rescued many slave girls and arranged their marriages. People remember him and his deeds on Lohri and sing folk songs based on his story. The songs feature his companions Sundri and Mundri, who were two of the girls he saved.
Lohri is celebrated with immense happiness and joy in many cities. The festival is mainly celebrated by Punjabi and Sikh community people. They light bonfires outside their houses, sing folk songs and dance around the fire. They also offer popcorn, puffed rice, peanuts and other items to the fire as a gesture of gratitude to God. On the day of Lohri, the main attractions are dance and music, especially the Bhangra, a traditional folk dance. People wear new traditional clothes and invite their loved ones, friends and relatives to join the celebration. They also distribute popcorn, puffed rice, gazak, and other sweets to everyone who comes to celebrate the festival. People also enjoy loud music and dance.
Lohri is incomplete without delicious traditional meals. Sarso da Saag and Makke di Roti, a dish made of mustard greens and corn bread, is the most famous cuisine of Punjab. People relish this food along with sweets such as Gud, jaggery, til ki barfi or panjiri, a sweet made of wheat flour and dry fruits, Makhane ki kheer, a pudding made of lotus seeds, til ke laddoo, sesame balls, Pinni, a sweet made of wheat flour and nuts, and Gondh Ke ladoo, a sweet made of edible gum and nuts.
Here is a folk song that is sung by the people while celebrating Lohri:
Sunder mundriye Hoo, Tera kaun vicaharaa Hoo..!!
Dullah Bhatti walla Hoo, Dullhe di dhee vyayae Hoo..!!
Ser shakkar payee Hoo, Kudi da laal pathaka Hoo..!!
Kudi da saalu paatta Hoo, Saalu kaun samete Hoo..!!
Chacha choori kutti Hoo, zamidara lutti Hoo..!!
Zamindaar sudhaye Hoo, Ginn-ginn bhole aaye Hoo..!!
Ek bhola reh gaya Hoo, Sipahee pakad ke lai gaya Hoo..!!
Sipahee ne mari itt Hoo, Phannve ro te phannve pit Hoo..!!
Lohri Deyo Ji Lohri jeeve tuhadi jodi
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