Everything You Need to Know About the Festival of Bonfire

Lohri is also an auspicious occasion for newly-married couples who participate in the traditional rituals, take seven rounds of the holy fire of Lohri and seek blessings from elders. To celebrate the Lohri festival, people gather around the bonfire and throw puffed rice, and popcorn in the bonfire. Then, they sing folk songs and dance together.

Lohri Date

The festival of Lohri is celebrated every year on the night before Makar Sankranti in the Northern parts of the country. This year in 2024, it will fall on Friday, 13 January.

History of Lohri

There are several beliefs and opinions behind why we celebrate Lohri. The main story about Lohri is linked to Dulla Bhatti. According to the legends, Dulla Bhatti used to live in the Mughal district of Punjab and was popular among people as a fearless man who rescued Hindu girls - Sundri and Mundri from being forcibly trafficked as slaves in the Middle Eastern markets from the Sandal Bar region. These girls and Dulla Bhatti have become a theme of Punjab folk songs.

Another story revolves around the wife of Saint Kabir, “Loi”, as some people believe that Lohri has derived its name from here, while many legends think that the festival derived its name from the word “Loh”, which stands for light and warmness. Another belief is that Holika and Lohr were sisters where Holika died in the fire, and the latter survived the same.

On this day, the winter crop of Punjab, wheat, is seen prime in January, which is later harvested in March after a few weeks of harvesting the Rabi crop. Another significant belief is that on this day, the Sun enters the zodiac of Capricorn, which is considered auspicious. This is why the festival is called “Makar Sankranti”.

How to Celebrate Lohri?

Every year, the festival of Lohri is celebrated by people lighting bonfires. They dress nicely, sing folk songs and dance around the bonfire while throwing food items like popcorn, peanuts, puffed rice, etc., into the fire to receive blessings from God. Lohri celebrations begin around 10 to 15 days prior in several parts of Punjab. People harvest logs for the Lohri bonfire and exchange grains and jaggery.

A huge bonfire is organised with various sweet delicacies on display to eat together. The vibes turn exciting when everyone dances “Bhangra” and “Gidda” on the beats of Dhol. people decorate their homes and organise a feast for friends and families. They pray to fire god to bless the land with prosperity and abundance.

How to do Lohri Decoration at Your House:

1. Rangoli Magic: Create colorful rangolis at your doorstep using vibrant powders or flower petals.

2. Twinkling Lights: Decorate your home with fairy lights to add a warm and festive glow.

3. Bonfire Ambiance: If you're celebrating outdoors, set up a safe and cozy bonfire area.

4. Traditional Drapes: Adorn your windows and doors with traditional dupattas or sarees.

5. Handmade Crafts: Involve the family in making DIY crafts like paper lanterns or Lohri-themed decorations.

Famous Lohri Festival Food:

1. Gajak: Sweet and crunchy sesame and jaggery treat.

2. Rewari: Jaggery and sesame seed confection, a Lohri classic.

3. Makki di Roti: Cornflour flatbread, often paired with Sarson da Saag.

4. Moongfali: Roasted peanuts, a popular Lohri snack.

5. Popcorn: Symbolizing the harvest, popcorn is a festive favorite.

Traditional Lohri Outfits:

In the spirit of tradition, people often wear:

1. Bright Kurtas and Salwar Kameez: Men and women choose vibrant, colorful outfits.

2. Phulkari Dupattas: Intricately embroidered shawls or dupattas add a touch of tradition.

3. Patiala Pants: A loose-fitting bottom paired with a short kurta, is a comfortable and stylish choice.

4. Turban for Men: Men may opt for a traditional turban, symbolising respect and pride.

Deck your homes with joy, savor the delicious treats, and dress in the colors of celebration to make this Lohri truly memorable!

Significance of Lohri 

Punjabi Lohri has a significant role in the state of Punjab, where Wheat, a major winter crop, is planted in the month of October and gets reaped in March or April. In the month of January, it can be seen in its prime stage as the fields turn all gold. This is why farmers celebrate the festival of Lohri during this period before reaping and collecting all the crops.

Lohri is observed to commemorate the ending of the winter solstice and the movements of the Sun towards the northern hemisphere, after which the days become longer and nights become shorter. Lohri is about celebrating these warmer days and harvesting rabi crops by farmers signified through bonfires and throwing puffed rice. The earth starts its journey towards the Sun during this time, commemorating the coldest months of the year.

Happy Lohri Wishes:

1. Wishing you a Lohri filled with laughter, love, and the warmth of cherished moments!

2. May the bonfires of Lohri light up your life with joy and prosperity. Happy Lohri!

3. Sending you bundles of warmth and good wishes this Lohri. Have a wonderful celebration!

4. May the sweetness of rewari and gajak bring sweetness to your life. Happy Lohri!

5. As the bonfire crackles, may your heart be filled with the glow of happiness. Happy Lohri!

6. Dance around the bonfire of joy, and let the sparks of Lohri light up your dreams. Happy Lohri!

Lohri Quotes:

1. "Harvest the happiness, reap the laughter; Lohri is here to brighten your days!"

2. "Like the sesame seeds popping in the fire, may your life burst with joy this Lohri."

3. "May the warmth of Lohri kindle the flame of love and togetherness in your heart."

4. "As the fire of Lohri burns, let it burn away all worries and bring in a season of joy."

Some Interesting Facts About Lohri

Punjabis celebrate the festival of happy Lohri with utmost fun and thrill with their friends and family. Here are some facts that might sound interesting to you about the festival. Take a look:

• Now you know the Lohri festival is celebrated in which state - Punjab, but it is a popular Hindu festival associated with the agricultural community. The festival is celebrated to seek blessings from the God Sun and Goddess Agni. Sweets are thrown in the fire as Prasadam.

• The festival of Lohri marks the ending of cold winter days, after which the nights become shorter and days become longer. Lohri celebrations signify a bonfire, drum beats, folk dances, and folk music. 

• Lohri signifies the beginning of a new financial year as traditionally, the earnings of the winter crops are realised on Lohri. 

• Lohri is an Indian solstice festival just like Yuletide and Christmas. Due to geographical differences, it falls in the middle of January.

• Many fairs and activities are organised on this day which locals, as well as foreign tourists, hugely visit.

• Lohri and Makar Sankranti: As the bonfires roared, Lohri and Makar Sankranti joined hands in a celebration of harvest and the change of seasons. It was like a dance between winter and spring, marking the sun's journey northward. Families reveled in the joy of abundance and the promise of warmer days.

Cities in India to Celebrate the Festival of Lohri

The festival of Happy Lohri is celebrated by Punjabis all over the world to bring joy and luck to households. Here are a few cities you can visit to experience the festival's vibes. Take a look:

Chandigarh 

Chandigarh is a beautiful city and capital of Punjab and Haryana, where the festival of Lohri is celebrated with a lot of fun and enthusiasm. Huge parties are organised, and people meet each other and offer each other happy Lohri wishes and sweets.

Amritsar

Who doesn't want to visit the city of the Golden Temple during the Lohri festival? Bonfires are lit up on a large scale, and gurudwaras are decorated nicely. Markets are full of visitors and offer delicious food to people. A large number of devotees visit Golden Temple to take blessings.

Jalandhar

It is one of the most popular and ancient cities in Punjab, where the Lohri festival is celebrated with lots of thrill and excitement. New clothes, sparkling ornaments, vibrant music, and delicious food all give interesting festive vibes.

Delhi

The capital of India, can be a great place to observe the celebrations of Lohri. People from all religions and backgrounds participate in the Lohri festival and dance around the bonfire to Punjabi folk music.

Why Lohri is Celebrated in Sikhism:

In the heart of Sikhism, Lohri was a festival wrapped in history and gratitude. It celebrated the bountiful harvest, a gift from the land that sustained the community. Sikhs thanked the Almighty for the abundance and shared the joy with those around them.

Summing Up

Discover the joy of Happy Lohri, a pivotal celebration in the Punjab community, marked with immense fun across the country. Lighting bonfires symbolises prosperity and prayers are offered for the vanquishing of evil and negative energies. Wishing everyone a joyous, prosperous and Happy Lohri!