Lohri is the very first festival of the year. Certainly, it is celebrated on 13th of January.
Lohri is undoubtedly a very popular festival in the North of India especially in Punjab and Haryana.
The Significance:
The festival actually, marks peak winter and the harvesting of rabi crops. One such crop is the sugarcane.
The festival basically commemorates the passing of the winter solstice. Nevertheless, Lohri represents the longest night.
The Celebration:
A key feature of Lohri is truly, the bonfire.
They lit up the bonfire at sunset.
Then, during the ceremony, they toss sesame seeds, gur, sugar-candy and rewaries(candies made of sesame seeds and sugar) on the bonfire.
Furthermore, they sit around it, sing and dance till the fire dies out.
Some people perform a prayer and go around the fire.
The celebration is of utmost importance for newly weds and for parents of the new born.
It is traditional to offer guests til, gachchak, gur, moongphali (peanuts) and phuliya or popcorn.
Moreover, they offer prayers to thank the Sun God and seek his continued protection.
The Sindhi community celebrates this festival as Lal Loi.
Music and the Treat:
- Lohri strongly advocates religious harmony.
- Like most other Punjabi festivals, Lohri ultimately culminates in a huge gathering of friends and family.
- First and foremost they prepare the exotic food during the day and decorate their homes with Rangoli.
- Accordingly, they enjoy food and drinks in abundance.
- People play huge drums(Nagada) around the bonfire and dance and sing enthusiastically in their colorful attires.
- The day ends with a meal that usually consists of Sarson Da Saag, Makki di Roti and Kheer.
Manila Indian wishes the Indin community in the Philippines a very Happy Lohri!!
