Lohri 2023: Date, History, Significance, Story & more.

Lohri Quick Facts

History of Lohri

Lohri is a popular festival celebrated in the month of January. This festival is dedicated to agriculture and nature. On this day farmers dedicate their new crop to the fire and offer it to Lord Sun. Lohri festival is a symbol of happiness, prosperity and happiness. People celebrate this festival together and sing songs of happiness.

The festivals of India reflect the different colors of the country. Here each province has its own special festivals. Lohri is one of the main festivals of Punjab province which is celebrated with great pomp by the Punjabi people. The celebration of this festival starts many days in advance. The festival is celebrated with different beliefs all over the country these days.

Story of Lohri

The festival of Lohri is associated with a character named Dulla Bhatti, whose name finds mention in several Lohri songs. According to the story, during the time of Mughal Emperor Akbar, a dacoit named Dulla Bhatti lived in Punjab. Dulla Bhatti was a rebel and whose lineage was Bhatti Rajput. His forefathers were the rulers of Pindi Bhattis in Sandal Bar now Sandal Bar is located in Pakistan. He was the hero of all Punjabis. He was awarded the title of Nayak of Punjab. At that time, instead of Sandal Bar, girls were forcibly sold to rich people for slavery, which Dulla Bhatti not only freed the girls under a scheme, but also got them married to Hindu boys and all arrangements for their marriage did it.

Significance of Lohri

Lohri is a major Punjabi festival celebrated in the North Indian states. Its importance is very important and it is associated with religious, social and agricultural elements.

Agricultural Significance: Lohri festival is celebrated after the harvesting of the paddy crop and is celebrated with great pomp and show. It is considered a sign of good crop yield and prosperity.

Religious Significance: Lohri festival has immense religious significance. The festival is celebrated on the first night of the month of Magi Paush, which is the first day of Makar Sankranti according to the Hindu calendar. It is considered a symbol of the Uttarayan of the Sun, which is considered important from a religious point of view. On this day people worship themselves, make offerings to the deities and perform religious aartis.

Social Significance: Lohri is a socially important festival where people unite and celebrate with pomp. On this day people get together, sing songs, dance and light bonfires. This indicates social harmony and unity. It creates an upbeat and joyful atmosphere where people can spend time with their loved ones and the community.

Food traditional importance: Maize bread, mustard greens, jaggery, peanuts, Gajak, Revdi etc. have an important place in Lohri. People eat them together and enjoy mutual food. It is considered a symbol of food creation and prosperity.

How to celebrate Lohri

The festival of Lohri is celebrated with various substances, rituals and events:

Bonfire: The main event of Lohri is Bonfire (Lohri Di Aag). People make a big bonfire and light it with songs, dance and celebration. People sit around bonfires and eat traditional foods like sweets, chira, peanuts and rewdi. There is an atmosphere of dancing, singing and merriment around the bonfire.

Blowing smoke: People make a square around the bonfire and blow smoke by putting dry cow dung or wood in it. It is considered a good omen to be thanked for their comfort and fertile crops.

Thanksgiving Performances: People worship and offer prayers to thank God. Especially in villages, women bury offerings of sweets, pooris, milk and ghee into the earth and present them as goodies.

Songs and Dance: People sing and dance to Punjabi songs during Lohri. It is specially danced to the songs of Lohri by the baraatis.

Getting together with family and friends: The festival of Lohri is also an occasion to meet and bond with family and friends. People hug each other, present new sarees to brides and feast on special food items.

Tradition and customs of Lohri

It is celebrated a day before Makar Sankranti. This festival is celebrated on the eve of Makar Sankranti. Generally, on the night of this festival, the family and the people of the neighborhood sit together by the fire in an open place and celebrate the festival by eating rewdi, peanuts, lava etc.

More info about Lohri

The celebration of Lohri remains the same even today, but with time, the celebration has taken the form of a party and instead of hugging, people send greetings to each other through mobile and internet. Nowadays congratulatory messages are easily sent through WhatsApp and e-mail. In the modern era, this Lohri festival is celebrated not only in North India (Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Jammu Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh) but also by the people of West Bengal and Odisha with great enthusiasm.

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