Lohari is a punjabi folk festival that is celebrated on the ending of winter on 13 January every year in north part of India. Lohari marks the end of winter and starting of new longer days .
In Thakur Parshad calender, Lohari is celebrated before one day of Makar Sankranti. Makar Sankranti is also known as Maghi. Lohri falls in the month of Paush. According to folk people ,in ancient times Lohri was celebrated at the end of winter.
Yet another folklore links Lohri to the tale of Dulla Bhatti. Dulla Bhati lived in the Punjab during the reign of Mugal emperor Akbar. He was a hero in Punjab, for rescuing Hindu girls from being forcibly taken to be sold in slave market of the Middle East.
He saved two girls Mundri and Sundri. Many children went homes to homes singing a folk song including the name of Dulla Bhatti.One person sings with a loud “Ho!” sung in unison.
CELEBRATIONS –
Lohri is celebrated with a bonfire. This is an ancient tradition to celebrate with lighting of bonfire . Singing and dancing are the part of celebration of Lohari. On the festival of Lohari ,
people wear new dresses and dance the Bhangra and Gidda on the beat of the drum with each other .Sarson da saag and makki di roti is usually served as the main course at a Lohri dinner. Lohari is a festival of farmers who interact with each other.
Many people celebrate Lohari in their houses privately on the born of a child or on a marriage.
(bonfire of Lohari)
SWEETS-
Lohri is marked by eating sheaves of roasted corn from the new harvest. Gurh and gachak are made by sugarcane which is a new crop of January. Gurh and gachak are major sweets of Lohari festival. It is traditional to eat Gajak, Sarson da saag with radish, ground nuts ,Makki di roti and jaggery.
PREPARATIONS–
In different places of Punjab, before about 15 or 10 days a group of younger children, boys and girls start to collect the logs for bonfire. Some people also collect the grass of grains.
LOHARI SONGS –
Many songs are sung in Lohari festival ,one of them is following that is dedicated to Dulla Bhatti-
Sunder mundriye ho!
Tera kaun vicharaa ho!
Dullah Bhatti walla ho!
Dullhe di dhee vyayae ho!
Ser shakkar payee ho!
Kudi da laal pathaka ho!
Kudi da saalu paata ho!
Salu kaun samete!
Chacha gali dese!
Chache choori kutti! zamidara lutti!
Zamindaar sudhaye!
Bum Bum bhole aaye!
Ek bhola reh gaya!
Sipahee far ke lai gaya!
Sipahee ne mari itt!
Bhaanvey ro te bhaanvey pitt!
Sanoo de de Lohri, te teri jeeve jodi!
TRANSLATION (IN ENGLISH)
Beautiful girl
Who will think about you
Dulla of the Bhatti clan will
Dulla’s daughter got married
He gave one ser of sugar!
The girl is wearing a red suit!
But her shawl is torn!
Who will stitch her shawl?!
The uncle made choori!
The landlords looted it!
Landlords are beaten up!
Lots of simple-headed boys !
One simpleton got left behind!
The soldier arrested him!
The soldier hit him with a brick!
(Cry or howl)!
Give us Lohri, long live your pair (to a married couple)!
Whether you cry, or bang your head later!
LOHRI: MEANING
While Lohri is one festival that marks the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of the new harvest season, the name of the festival itself has a lot of historic significance. Cultural stories dictate that Lohri originates from the word, ‘Loh’- which means a big griddle or a tava, used in community feasts. Another tale says the word pays homage to ‘Loi’, who was the wife of Hindu saint Kabir Das.
LOHRI: HISTORY
It is said that Lohri can be traced back to the heroic tales of Dulla Bhatti, who is popularly known for his exemplary valour and courage as someone who led a rebellion against emperor Akbar. With his brave display, he instantly became a hero for the people. Almost every song and poem sang on Lohri has words expressing gratitude to him.
Popcorn, gur rewri, gajjak bonfire and warmth- everything brings back memories of Lohri! People all across North India look forward to Lohri, an important harvest festival which is very popular in the region.
Celebrated primarily by people of the Hindu and Sikh communities, Lohri holds a lot of significance and importance for the two communities.
This year, the festival will be celebrated on January 13, 2020, which is a Monday. The harvest festival, which falls on January 13 this year is celebrated during the month of Paush or Magh, a day before Makar Sankranti in a grand manner in the Northern part of the country. Lohri is one festival which brings neighbours and relatives together. Since it falls in the second or third week of the New Year, it is considered the first major Hindu festival of the year.
HAPPY MAKAR SANKRANTI
Makar Sankranti is the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Makara (Capricorn) on its celestial path. As per Indian Culture, this event leads to the beginning of an auspicious phase marking the arrival of Spring .
Makar Sankaranti is also called Uttarayan , as the Sun begins it’s northward journey from this day . Hindus revere the Sun God as a symbol of divinity and wisdom. The days become longer and warmer compared to the nights , after this transition .
Pongal, Lohri and Makar Sankranti festivals have different name and same reasons to celebrate. It is the time when first harvest of the year in most of the parts of India where food grains are worshipped in different ways .
There are some special dishes we generally prepare for Makarsankranti festivals which are rich in Iron, Calcium and very healthy. Like , Peanut Chikki, Sesame Chikki, Dry Fruit Chikki, Murmura Ladoo etc.. These are very healthy snack which are also perfect for the season…
SWEETS –
Wishing that this festival brings Good Luck and Prosperity and Hoping that it is joyous,And fills your days ahead with Happiness.