January 13: Lohri Festival

Lohri festival is celebrated in North India on January 13. This is the last day of the Paush month of the Hindu Solar Calendar, marking the Sun’s exit from Sagittarius. The position of earth is nearest to the Sun at this time. It is usually celebrated outdoors, with families gathering for a bonfire late in the evening. People in Punjab and other states having an agriculture-based economy welcome the winters as these climatic conditions are suitable for a good wheat harvest.

Lohri Festival: Traditions

• Kids, during the day, go from one door to another, singing folk Lohri songs. It is believed that one should not let them go back empty-handed as that is inauspicious.
• Collections from people in the form of popcorn, peanuts, til (sesame seeds) or rorhi (jaggery) are also known as Lohri. At night, these are distributed and offered to the fire, which is considered sacred.
• A small image of Goddess Lohri is made with cow dung and is decorated. Fire is kindled beneath it and praises are chanted.
• The traditional dinner for Lohri is a dish made from mustard leaves (sarson ka saag), served with chapattis made from corn flour (makki ki roti).

Why is it called Lohri?

Some people believe that the Lohri festival derived its name from:

• Loi, name of Saint Kabir’s wife
• the word ‘loh’, a thick sheet of iron (tawa) used for baking chapatis
• Tilorhi (til and rorhi) as eating these two items is regarded as essential

The first Lohri celebration after a couple’s marriage and the birth of a son is supposed to be special. There is a lot of singing and dancing. Here is one of Punjabi Lohri songs:

Maayi de lohri
Jeeve teri jodi
Tere kotthe utte mor
Tera hove munda hor
Saadde pairaan thalle salaaiyaan
Asi kede vele diya aaiyaan
Saadde pairaan thalle rod
Saanu chetti chetti tor