What Is The Story Behind Lohri?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The origin of the festival can be traced back from

the tale of Dulla Bhatti, who was a famous legendary hero of Punjab and led a rebellion against Mughal emperor Akbar

. Due to his acts of bravery, he became a hero for the people of Punjab and almost every Lohri song has words to express gratitude to him.

What does Lohri symbolize?

Though popular belief has it that Lohri is celebrated to mark the end of peak winter, this festival is traditionally associated with

the harvest of the rabi crops

. The traditional time to harvest sugarcane crops is January, therefore, Lohri is seen by some to be a harvest festival.

Why do we celebrate Lohri?

Lohri celebrations mark the beginning of the harvest season. It is celebrated to offer

thanks for making a bounteous harvest possible

. Lohri night traditionally falls on the longest night of the year known as the winter solstice.

Why is Lohri celebrated for baby?

The idea to celebrate the harvest festival, traditionally an occasion to

rejoice the birth of sons

, with gusto came from the newborn’s grandmother, Jatinder Kaur Bedi. “I always aspired for a daughter, and my long-cherished wish is fulfilled. Lohri holds a special meaning for us.

Which God is Worshipped on Lohri?

Although the history of Lohri indicates the celebration of the end of the winter solstice, the festival is also signified by the worship of different Hindu Gods. The festival of Lohri is marked by the worship of

Agni – the God of Fire along with the worship of Surya – the Sun God

.

Who celebrates Lohri?

Lohri is primarily celebrated in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent by

Sikhs and Hindus

. Each year, the festival is observed on the night before Makar Sankranti, in accordance with the solar part of the lunisolar Bikrami calendar. Date: This year, the mid-winter festival is being observed on January 13, 2021.

Does Sikh celebrate Lohri?


Lohri is primarily celebrated by Sikhs because of its strong links to Punjabi culture

and do not have any roots in Sikhism. … Another element, which carries significance for Sikhs, is the fact that Lohri also falls on the eve of Maghi, the first day of the month of Magh.

Is Lohri and Makar Sankranti same?


Lohri is celebrated a day ahead of Makar Sankranti

. … Lohri falls on Wednesday, 13 January, 2021. Significance of Makar Sankranti. Observed in the lunar month of Magha is a day when the Hindus celebrate the harvest.

Why do we celebrate Lohri and Makar Sankranti?

Significance- Lohri is celebrated just a day before Makar Sankranti and

marks the onset of the harvest festival

. People celebrate the festival by singing folk songs, lighting bonfires, eating foods like rewari and peanuts. Lohri is also said to mark the end of winter months and the start of longer summer days.

How can Lohri be celebrated in a better way?

A number of rituals are performed by people like

throwing of sesame seeds, Gur or jaggery, sugarcane sticks, Rewaris, popcorns and several

other items into the fire as they dance around it. People dance to the beats of the drum or Dhol and the dance is Bhangra.

Why is first Lohri important?

Lohri marks the end of the winter season and the beginning of the longer days. Lohri is

celebrated to welcome the sun deity (surya)

into the northern hemisphere. However, it is traditionally associated with the harvest of rabi crops.

What does Lohri do?

As we all know, the festival of Lohri is all about getting together with family around the holy bonfire post sunset, dancing to the beats of the dhol, and enjoying a scrumptious feast. Foods like

til (black sesame seeds), gajak, gur (jaggery), peanuts and popcorn

are fed to the fire as part of the harvest ritual.

What should be the first Lohri?

  • Stars For Couples. …
  • Heng Balance Lamp. …
  • A Cake Stand. …
  • Bar Box Set. …
  • A Tissue Box. …
  • Skipping Rope. …
  • A Carpet.

Which God is Worshipped on Makar Sankranti?


The Sun god

is worshipped on Makar Sankranti. Devotees on Sankranti also worship Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi.

Why do we wear black on Sankranti?

Since the sun enters the north direction, it is believed that this the black color

absorbs the heat inside it

, thereby increasing the body heat. People can also protect themselves from the cold and celebrate the festival properly.

What happens at a Lohri party?

Every Lohri party involves

a bonfire, song, and dance

. The fire represents purity, and comes into play when the couple being celebrated (either the newlyweds or new parents) will walk around the fire several times and throw peanuts and popcorn– aka “seeds”– into the fire.

Maria Kunar
Author
Maria Kunar
Maria is a cultural enthusiast and expert on holiday traditions. With a focus on the cultural significance of celebrations, Maria has written several blogs on the history of holidays and has been featured in various cultural publications. Maria's knowledge of traditions will help you appreciate the meaning behind celebrations.