The happiness of the end of the winter season and the arrival of spring in the land of Punjab spreads with the festival of Lohri. This is the time when the last moments of harsh winter are enjoyed and the coming spring is welcomed. Lohri is celebrated as a harvest festival throughout the country.
Be it Lohri in Punjab, Uttarayan in Gujarat, or Makar Sankranti in West Bengal, people everywhere celebrate this festival with joy and seek blessings of happiness and prosperity from the Sun God. At this time the Sun enters Capricorn from Sagittarius, hence it is also called Makar Sankranti.
How to celebrate Lohri
Lohri is one of the biggest festivals in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and parts of Himachal Pradesh. During Lohri, people light a bonfire and add maize, peanuts, and sesame seeds to it. Traditional Prasad is distributed among the people. People dance, sing, and tell stories of bravery and courage. On this day, traditional Lohri dishes like Sarson ka saag, makki ki roti, gajak, and Rewari are prepared. Children go from door to door in their locality, sing Lohri songs, and collect sweets and maize from everyone.
History
This year Lohri will be celebrated on 14 January. It is said that during the reign of Mughal emperor Akbar, there used to be a warrior named Dulla Bhatti. He was known for his bravery and courage. She saved little girls from being sold into slavery or forced into marriage by their family members. Dulla Bhatti gave a new life to those girls. During Lohri, people sing songs of bravery and courage of Dulla Bhatti.
So on this festival of Lohri, let us respect the traditions, gather around the bonfire, share happiness, and welcome the coming spring with open hearts. Happy Lohri!
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