As the rabi crops get ready to be harvested, we are getting closer to one of the biggest festivals of northern India, Lohri! Known for its lively and enthusiastic celebrations, it's a community festival rather than being strictly religious and celebrated by the whole community together. It's all about enjoying the cold night with a big bonfire, dancing to the beats of dhols, singing Punjabi folk songs and exchanging gifts and special Lohri sweets.
Date of Lohri 2025
Unlike the other Hindu festivals which aren't specific to dates of the Gregorian calendar, Lohri tends to fall on either 13 or 14 of January, one day before the Makar Sankranti. For 2025, the Lohri celebration will take place on the 13th of January.
Lohri festival meaning
The origin of the word Lohri is not specific, there are many legends explaining the lohri festival's meaning. One of the most popular beliefs is that the lohri is a Punjabi word that comes from the word “til” ( sesame ) and “roraihi”( jaggery). Initially this Punjabi folk festival was celebrated as tilohri but with time it changed into lohri.
History of Lohri festival
Lohri history can be traced back to the tales of Dulla Bhatti, a folk hero of Punjab who is known as a rebel against Mughal rule. He was Punjabis' very own Rabin Hood, stealing from the rich and distributing all that wealth among the poors. The most famous story about the Lohri history – once Dulla Bhatti rescued two girls named Sundari and Mundari who were being sold as slaves. He cared for them like his own sisters and arranged their marriages too. From then, people remember the tales of heroism of Dulla Bhatti on Lohri in forms of songs which continue to inspire people even today.
What makes Lohri so special?
Lohri wouldn't be Lohri without lively dance, joyful singing, the warmth of a bonfire and sharing those festive delights. This is all that makes the Lohri celebration so special and unique. While strengthening the community is one of the most significant parts of the festival, Lohri significance extends far beyond.
Lohri is one of the major festivals for the farmers of northern India especially Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and some parts of Jammu. This festival marks the successful harvest of rabi crops like sugarcane, mustard and wheat. People are very happy and satisfied witnessing the reward for their prolonged hard work in the form of a bountiful harvest. They also worship and express gratitude to Surya devta (sun god) and agni devta (fire god), while revolving around the bonfire.
Plus, the importance of Lohri has an astronomical feature too. This day also marks the northward journey of the Sun known as Uttarayana. As the Sun begins to move towards the Northern Hemisphere, the days start to become longer and warmer.
How is Lohri celebrated?
While rituals play a significant part, the can't miss features of Lohri are vibrant folk dance, traditional music, festive festivities and overwhelming energy and enthusiasm. The Lohri festival begins with the lighting of a bonfire, people worship and throw popcorn, peanuts and til into the fire while revolving around it. They pick the brightest and traditional attires for this night, special Lohri songs are sung and people do bhangra and gidda ( folk dance of Punjab) on the beats of dhol. Plus, the first lohri of a newly married couple or a newborn baby is considered much auspicious and celebrated with renewed vigour. People also exchange gifts and sweets like gajak, til ladoo and rewaris with family and friends.