13th January 2025
Lohri, a major festival in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, is a symbol of fertility and thanksgiving to the fire god.
It is also convivial community bonding time.
Our forefathers believed that the flames of the fires they lit took their message to the sun, and that is why on the morning after Lohri, the first day of the month of Magh, the sun’s rays suddenly turn warm and take the chill out of people’s bones.
Lohri is a solar festival and takes place almost always on the 13th of January.
The next day is Makar Sankranti, an auspicious day for Hindus, when the transition of the sun to the northern hemisphere happens.
Even the mortally wounded Bhishma of Mahabharata, who had the boon to choose the time of his death, chose Makara Sankranti day to die.
“The Bhagavad Gita says Magh is a very sacred and auspicious time, when Krishna manifests himself most tangibly.
Hindus and Sikhs across the globe celebrate the month and the bountiful harvest it brings — similarly across India, it is celebrated as Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Bihu in Assam, Bhogi in Andhra Pradesh and Sankranti in Karnataka, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh,”
This is also the best time to “wash away” sins, so people bathe in holy rivers. The Maha Kumbh 2025 also starts on this day.
The most famous Lohri legend is that of Dulla Bhatti, a Muslim Rajput warrior who rebelled against Emperor Akbar, so much that Akbar had to shift his capital from Delhi to Lahore.
Dulla used to rob the rich to help the poor and needy. He even rescued a girl from a Mughal general, adopted her and arranged for her marriage.
Sikh and Hindu families celebrate Dulla Bhatti’s social and humanitarian contributions.
In Punjab, he is a folk hero. Every other Lohri song has words to express gratitude to Dulla Bhatti.
“Sundri Mundriye Ho!
Tera Kaun Vicharaa Ho! Dullah Bhatti wala Ho!”
— in praise of a Punjabi version of Robin Hood and asking for Lohri alms whether as money, peanuts, jaggery or sesame savouries gajak and rewri. These are pooled for use in the community bonfire.
As a young kid, i remember going from house to house along with a group of friends & asking fir ‘Lohri.’
At that time, in didn’t know the reason why we were asking for it but people who were celebrating life more than others, gave more than others.
For the giver of goodies, we sang: “Dabba bharaya leera da/ Ai ghar ameera da” — “The box is filled with cloth strips/ This house is of the rich.”
And those who were not forthcoming were faced with: “Hukka bhai Hukkaa/ Ai ghar bhukka” — “Hukka! Oh! Hukka! This house is full of misers.
Lohri is thus more than just a festival; it is an expression of community togetherness, celebration of fertility, giving and sharing and the joy of life.
Lohri holds more social significance than religious flavour.
From our family & our home to yours, Wish you & your family a Happy Lohri!
Let us celebrate it as a day of spreading love and by forgetting all past differences and forgiving all grievances & stay blessed forever.