Lohri 2017: Harvest Festival of Punjab

Lohri in 2017 will be celebrated on January 13, Friday. Festival of bonfire, Lohri is all about fun and bliss. The festival of Lohri is celebrated by the people of Northern India to enjoy the coldest night of the winter solstice. For farmers, this festival is the new financial year because new tenancies of agriculture are going to start. As per the records of our history, revenues for the winter crops were being collected. To know some interesting facts about Lohri, Read on...

Origin Of Lohri Festival

Lohri is basically the festival of Punjab. This festival is meant to be celebrated on the eve of winter solstice, but they celebrate it on the last day of the Hindi month Paush, as no sacred event can take place during this month, according to Brahmins. As per the Hindu folklore, people of ancient Punjab used to celebrate Lohri on the winter solstice day. That is why people believe that the night of Lohri is the longest night of the year. The daylight is expected to increase after Lohri.

Significance Of Lohri 2017

Lohri is celebrated with great zeal in Punjab. Punjab is the breadbasket of India, as wheat is the main winter crop of this state. Wheat is sown in the month of October and harvested around March or April. January is the month which promises golden harvest in coming time. Therefore, farmers celebrate the grand festival of Lohri, as a thanksgiving day to the God for good crops.

As the festival of Lohri is celebrated at the end of the month Paush, it signifies the beginning of the pious month of Magh and the beginning of the auspicious time of Uttarayan.

Lohri Celebration

The bliss of this festival begins with the first ray of sunshine, as children singing in groups, go door to door collecting Lohri ‘Loot’ in the form of eatables like Til (sesame seeds), Mungfali (ground nuts), Gud (jaggery) and other allied stuff, as well as sweets like Gajak and Rewari.

Legend Behind Lohri

The songs that are sung by the children during Loot are dedicated to Dulla Bhatti. He is known as Robin Hood of Punjab, who used to rob rich people to serve the poor ones.

Dulla Bhatti has always been the central character of Lohri songs. He lived during the ruling era of Mughal Emperor, Akbar. People of Punjab consider him as a hero. He also rescued girls who were being sent to get sold in the slave market of the Middle East from the region of Sandal Bar. Further, he arranged the marriage for those girls and also provided dowries to them. Every song of Lohri pays tribute to the hero of Punjab, Dulla Bhatti.

Lohri – The Bonfire Time!

Bonfire time comes in the evening, with the setting of Sun . People, especially children gather the wood sticks from their elders or wherever they get it. These sticks are then set up in a proper manner for good bonfire. According to the ancient custom of Punjab, the bonfire is lit in the harvested fields or in front of the houses. People gather around the bonfire and walk around it (Parikrama). During the walk, they throw popcorns, puffed rice and other munchies to the fire. Simultaneously, they keep chanting the words – “Aadar aaye, dilather jaaye,” which literally means – may honor come and poverty go! With this, they also sing some traditional folk songs. After walking around bonfire or doing Parikrama, people meet their near & dear ones and exchange gifts as well as Prasad (holy food offered to God).

The Prasad consists of five essential elements – Til (sesame), Gajak, Gud (jaggery), Moongfali (ground nut) and popcorn. Apart from these eatables, people serve winter savories around the bonfire. It is in the form of the famous food of Punjab – ‘Makki Di Roti’ & ‘Sarson Da Saag’. ‘Makki Di Roti’ is the handmade bread using millet flour and ‘Sarson Da Saag’ is the cooked mustard herb.

This was all about Lohri. You must have got a brief idea about this beautiful festival. With this, we hope you have a blissful Lohri 2017.

Happy Lohri 2017!