Lohri

Lohri is a joyous and spirited folk festival celebrated with great enthusiasm in the Punjab region. It marks the passing of the winter solstice and the end of the peak winter season, welcoming the longer, sunnier days ahead. At its heart, Lohri is a harvest festival, deeply connected to the agricultural cycle. It's a time for farmers to celebrate the ripening of the rabi (winter) crops, especially sugarcane, and to offer gratitude for the earth's bounty. The festival is a vibrant cultural event, filled with the infectious beats of the dhol, traditional music, energetic folk dances, and a profound sense of community warmth that combats the winter chill.

The centerpiece of every Lohri celebration is the sacred bonfire. As the sun sets, families and communities gather around a crackling fire. In a beautiful ritual, they toss offerings of sesame seeds (til), jaggery (gur), peanuts, and popcorn into the flames. This act is a symbolic gesture of thanks to Agni, the fire god, seeking blessings for prosperity, fertility, and a bountiful year ahead. The festival also pays homage to a local hero, Dulla Bhatti, a legendary figure from Punjab who lived during the Mughal era. Celebrated as the 'Robin Hood of Punjab', he was known for rescuing Punjabi girls from being forcibly taken and sold into slavery, and arranging their marriages with dignity. Folk songs sung in his honor recount his bravery and generosity, adding a layer of historical reverence and social consciousness to the joyful celebrations.