The New Year has just arrived, and with it, the much-anticipated festival of Lohri is not far behind. A vibrant folk festival originating in Punjab, Lohri is predominantly celebrated by Sikhs and Punjabis, especially in North India. It takes place every year on January 13, marking the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of longer days. This traditional festival is closely linked to the arrival of Spring, as the sun begins to shift towards the Northern Hemisphere, gradually lengthening the daylight hours. Lohri is a celebration of this seasonal transition, heralding warmth, joy, and the end of the cold winter.
Celebrated primarily in the northern regions of India, Lohri holds immense cultural and social significance. The festival follows the Bikrami calendar, and it is celebrated with great enthusiasm a day before the festival of Maghi, also known as Makar Sankranti. Lohri typically falls in the Paush month of the Hindu calendar and in January according to the Gregorian calendar. The festival also carries deep spiritual and familial importance, especially for newlywed couples, who participate in a traditional custom by taking seven rounds around the sacred Lohri bonfire.
On the evening of Lohri, families and communities gather around a large bonfire, symbolizing the warmth and energy of the sun. As part of the celebration, people offer puffed rice, popcorn, and other grains to the fire, expressing gratitude for the harvest and the blessings of the season. This ritual is followed by joyous celebrations, where the atmosphere is filled with music, dance, and traditional songs. People come together to perform the famous Bhangra and Gidda dances, celebrating the spirit of unity, abundance, and the promise of a prosperous year ahead. The festival of Lohri is not just a cultural event, but a reflection of the community's collective spirit, traditions, and connection to nature.
History Of Lohri Festival
There are many legends associated with Lohri, one of them being that Lohri was Holika's sister and while the former died in the fire, the latter survived the same. However, the one with the most relevance is the legend of Dulla Bhatti. The festival of Lohri is considered to be as old as the Indus Valley Civilization. It also has a mix of cultural and historical background attached to it. According to the history of Punjab, the Bhatis, which is a Rajput tribe, used to inhabit various parts of Rajasthan, and also certain territories of Gujarat. This was during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar. It was during this time, a man named Dulla Bhatti, who was the then ruler of the tribe was put to death by the Mughals for revolting against him. It was said that Dulla Bhati used to rob the rich and then give it to the poor (like the popular character Robinhood) and thus was quite popular among the masses. His legends are still popular in Punjab and even the most popular song of Lohri, Sundar Mundariye has his mention. Once upon a time, Dulla Bhati saved a girl who was taken away by the Mughal officials and then arranged her marriage with a suitable Hindu boy. It is said that this event happened during the harvest time of Lohri. Thus, Lohri is considered to be quite a special festival for the newlyweds.
Interesting Facts About Lohri
Lohri is a fun festival, with friends and family coming together to celebrate this joyous occasion. As the old year gives way to the new year, preparations to celebrate this festival begin in the earnest. It can be celebrated on a community or family scale as desired. Here are a few facts about Lohri that one must know.
- Celebration of the Harvest: Lohri marks the end of the winter season and celebrates the harvest of the rabi crops, especially sugarcane. It is a time for farmers to express gratitude for the bountiful harvest and to seek blessings for a good agricultural season ahead.
- The Lohri Bonfire: The most iconic element of the festival is the bonfire. People gather around the fire to toss offerings like puffed rice, popcorn, sesame seeds, and jaggery as part of a ritual of thanksgiving. The flames represent the sun's warmth, and the fire is believed to purify and cleanse those who gather around it.
- Significance of the Sun: Lohri is celebrated when the sun transitions from the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern Hemisphere, which is believed to mark the beginning of the harvest season. The festival symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, warmth over cold, and the return of longer days.
- Cultural Importance: Though Lohri is primarily celebrated in Punjab and other northern regions of India, it is also observed in various forms in countries like Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh. In Punjab, it is a deeply rooted cultural festival that includes traditional dance, music, and family gatherings.
- Lohri and Newlyweds: One of the significant traditions during Lohri is the participation of newlywed couples. They take seven rounds around the Lohri bonfire, a ritual that symbolizes the start of their new life together. This practice strengthens the bond between the couple and is believed to bring them good fortune.
- Bikrami Calendar: Lohri is celebrated according to the Bikrami calendar, which is a lunar calendar. It usually falls on January 13th, a day before Maghi (Makar Sankranti), which signifies the end of the winter solstice and the start of longer days.
- Lohri Songs and Dances: Traditional folk songs such as "Sunder Mundriye" and "Dulla Bhatti" are sung during Lohri celebrations. These songs narrate stories of historical figures, such as the legendary Dulla Bhatti, a Punjabi hero who is said to have helped the poor and oppressed.
- Foods Associated with Lohri: The festival is famous for specific foods that are enjoyed during the celebrations, including til (sesame) ladoos, gajak (a type of sesame brittle), makki di roti (corn flatbread), and sarson da saag (mustard greens). These foods are often shared among friends and family as part of the merrymaking.
- Regional Variations: While Lohri is predominantly celebrated in Punjab, it has different variations across regions. In Haryana, for instance, Lohri is called "Maghi" and is marked with a different set of rituals. In Rajasthan, it is known as "Makar Sankranti," and in Maharashtra, it is referred to as "Makar Sankranti" but celebrated in a slightly different way.
- Lohri and Environmental Awareness: Traditionally, the fire was lit using wood from trees, but in recent years, there has been an emphasis on using alternative materials like sugarcane, which is abundant in the region. This shift has helped raise awareness about sustainability and preserving the environment while still celebrating the festival in a traditional manner.
5 Cities in India Where Lohri 2025 is Celebrated with Great Pomp and Show
The festival of Lohri brings a lot of joy, happiness, and good luck to households. The crop is ready for the harvest and a lot of joie de vivre can be witnessed all around. Here are the top five cities in India where this festival is celebrated with a lot of gusto and enthusiasm.
Chandigarh is a very beautiful and well-planned city and the capital of Punjab and Haryana. The festival of Lohri is celebrated with a lot of galore, gusto, and enthusiasm. Large scale Lohri parties are organised, people visit each other’s homes to meet and greet, exchange sweets, and generally have fun. Bright lights, bonfire, and decked up Gurudwaras make the whole ambiance festive and exciting.
How to Reach Chandigarh
- Nearest Airport. Chandigarh Airport
- Nearest Railway Station. Chandigarh Junction Railway Station
The city of Golden Temple, Amritsar gets ready to celebrate this harvest festival with loads of enthusiasm. Women get ready in their best finery and ornaments to dance to the reverberating drum beats. Markets bustle with visitors and gear up to serve delicious food. A large number of devotees visit Golden Temple to seek blessings.
How to Reach Amritsar
- Nearest Airport. Amritsar Airport
- Nearest Railway Station. Amritsar Junction
Jalandhar
Jalandhar is one of the most popular and ancient cities in Punjab. Here, the excitement of Lohri festival is several notches higher. The jubilant mood of the revelers is contagious and seems to be all-pervading through the city. Preparations for the festival begin well in advance. Markets get decked up with decorations and glittering lights.
How to Reach Jalandhar
- Nearest Airport. Amritsar Airport
- Nearest Railway Station. Jalandhar City Junction
Ludhiana, the extremely gorgeous city in Punjab is another place where Lohri Festival is celebrated with unbridled enthusiasm and excitement. Vibrant clothes, glittering ornaments, foot tapping music, thumping beats, bright lights and more give a new and an incredible look to the city.
How to Reach Ludhiana
- Nearest Airport. Chandigarh Airport
- Nearest Railway Station. Ludhiana Junction
Delhi, the capital of India dons a new look on the much-awaited Lohri Festival. A melting pot of cultures, Delhi witnesses participation of people from all religions, castes, and creeds in Lohri festival celebrated all across the city. People love dancing to the peppy beats of Punjabi folk music and enjoy licking their fingers on delectable makki ki roti and sarson ka saag.
How to Reach Delhi
- Nearest Airport. Indira Gandhi International Airport
- Nearest Railway Station. New Delhi Railway Station
Frequently Asked Questions About Lohri 2025
Q1: When is Lohri celebrated in 2025?
A1: Lohri will be celebrated on January 13, 2025, marking the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of longer days.
Q2: What is the significance of the Lohri bonfire?
A2: The Lohri bonfire symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, warmth over cold, and the arrival of longer days. It is also a way to express gratitude for the harvest, particularly the crops like sugarcane.
Q3: Which communities primarily celebrate Lohri?
A3: Lohri is predominantly celebrated by Sikhs and Punjabis, especially in the northern regions of India, though it is also observed in parts of Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
Q4: What are some traditional foods associated with Lohri?
A4: Traditional foods enjoyed during Lohri include til (sesame) ladoos, gajak (sesame brittle), makki di roti (corn flatbread), and sarson da saag (mustard greens), which are shared among family and friends during the festival.
Q5: How is Lohri celebrated by newlywed couples?
A5: Newlywed couples traditionally take seven rounds around the Lohri bonfire as part of a ritual that symbolizes the start of their new life together and brings them good fortune.
