New Delhi [India]Jan 13 (ANI): The Punjabi festival of Lohri falls in the chilly month of January. It is celebrated in many Indian states. It also has an interesting backstory that not everyone knows about.
The origin of the festival can be traced to the legend of Dulla Bhatti, the famous mythological hero of Punjab who led a rebellion against the Mughal Emperor Akbar. He became a hero to the people of Punjab as a result of his heroic deeds, and practically every Lohri song includes words of thanks to him.
The celebration represents the ripening of winter crops as well as the beginning of the new harvesting season. Lohri is all about good food, family and friends, as well as traditional folk songs and dance.
Lohri is celebrated every year on 13 January. It marks the end of the winter season. According to the Hindu lunar calendar, Lohri marks the longest night before winter and is followed by the shortest day of the year known as Magha.
Lohri and sugarcane go hand in hand. If you are celebrating Lohri, you will consume jaggery and gajak. Radish, spinach, and mustard leaves (sarson ka saag) are other important additions to the menu and have been a delicacy since ancient times. Add makki di roti and you have a feast to remember. Apart from these food items, you can eat peanuts and sesame rice, which are made from sesame seeds, rice and jaggery.
Lohri is a festival that honors fertility and the joy of living. While harvested fields and farms are lit up by bonfires across towns, there’s a lot more to do. Since the cold winter morning, people have been wandering here and there to collect branches for the traditional bonfire.
Youth included! They go from house to house for “Lohri loot” and are given money in exchange for dry fruits, til (sesame), jaggery, peanuts, gajjak or rewdi. As part of the ritual, water is sprinkled on the interiors of the dwellings.
People gather for ‘Parikrama’ in the evening, and they throw snacks like popcorn, puffed rice and rewari on the bonfire. Sugarcane is also burnt as Prasad in Holika. It fills the room with the aroma of burning sugar.
In addition, they pray to the fire for the fertility of the land and bountiful harvest, “Aadar Ae Diler Jai,” which means “May honor come and poverty go away”. They then celebrate by singing folk music and dancing.
Everyone dresses up for the occasion and exchanges sweets with each other. In addition, it is a lucky holiday for weddings and newborns. While the newlywed wears the jewellery, the children perform a ritual where they hold the comb.
Lohri is a festival of unity and people bond with friends and family. The party starts with a campfire. Have an auspicious and prosperous day this Lohri! (ANI)
This report has been auto generated from ANI News Service. ThePrint is not responsible for its content.