One of the Indian holidays with historical importance is Lohri. It’s the harvesting period festival. In the Indian states of the Punjab region, the festival is observed in the middle of January. This year, Lohri will be observed on Sunday, January 14, 2024.
Lohri Date 2024
Popular Dogra and Punjabi folk event Lohri celebrated in the winter, is thought to signal the end of the winter solstice in Northern India.
People in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent celebrate Lohri, which signals the end of winter and heralds the arrival of days that are longer and the sun’s trek to the Northern Hemisphere.
The date of Lohri, which is observed one day ahead of Maghi Makar Sankranti, is set by the Hindu Solar Calendar and varies every 70 years.
Historically, Lohri has fallen on January 11th in the latter part of the nineteenth century, January 12th or 13th in the mid-20th century, and January 13th or 14th in the 21st century. In 2024, Lohri will fall on January 14th on Sunday since Maghi will fall on January 15th.
How is Lohri celebrated?
The Lohri rituals are important in terms of culture. The sesame seed seeds, gur (sugar), and popcorn are offered to the God of fire by families gathered around the bonfire.
The comforting feeling of the bonfire represents the community’s spirit as a whole, encouraging a sense of joy and unity.
In celebration of the festival, people light bonfires, consume festive cuisine, dance, and exchange gifts. Lohri festivities will pick up more vigour in homes where there has recently been a marriage or birth.
The majority of North Indians typically celebrate Lohri in private, at home. Special songs are played to accompany the performance of Lohri rituals.
An essential component of the festivities is singing and dancing. People arrive dressed in their brightest outfits and start dancing to the dhol beat, performing bhangra and gidda. There are Punjabi songs sung, and everyone is happy.
At a Lohri dinner, sarson da saag and makki di roti are typically served as the main course. Farmers place great significance on Lohri, which is a wonderful occasion.
Lohri is also celebrated by those who live in cities, as it offers a chance to spend time with loved ones.Every home sets up a puja ceremony in the evening on this day.
People perform parikrama and cater Pooja at this time to receive blessings from the Almighty.
Significance of Lohri
The festival’s cultural significance stems from its association with the Punjab region and its celebration of the winter harvest season. A well-known folktale connects the story of Dulla Bhatti to Lohri.
The legend of Dulla Bhatti, the father of whom was a zamindar, who lived in Punjab under the period of rule of Mughal Emperor Akbar, is the main subject of many Lohri songs.
In Punjab, he was revered as a hero for saving Punjabi girls from kidnapping and selling them into slavery in the Middle East. Amongst those he spared were two daughters Sundri and Mundri, who ultimately became the theme of Punjab’s legend.
As a part of Lohri events, children roam around homes singing the customary traditional songs of Lohri with the “Dulla Bhatti” title incorporated.
One person leads the singing, and the others join in by saying a loud “Hooo” at the end of each line. When the song is over, the adult in the house is supposed to give the kids’ singing group some snacks and cash. In addition, sunny days and the start of season for harvesting are heralded by Lohri.
History of Lohri
During the trip to Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Lahore darbar in 1832, European visitors like Wade made remarks of Lohri.
On the occasion of Lohri in 1836, Captain Mackeson told the story of Maharaja Ranjit Singh bestowing suits and significant amounts of cash as rewards.
Hindus and Sikhs celebrate Lohri, an ancient middle of winter celebration in India, following the Rabi season. Celebrated since ancient times, it ushers in the final phase of winter and the beginning of longer days following the winter solstice.
It is thought that the festival, which began in areas close to the Himalayan mountains, is celebrated with bonfires, fellowship, singing, and dancing.
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