Lohri – the Indian Bonfire festival

Lohri is a very popular festival of Punjab celebrated across North Delhi with great spirit. First Lohri celebration of a newborn baby, a new bride or a new business is all the more special and celebrated with more zest at scale. Here we share a little bit about the festival and a few ideas on how to celebrate it…

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When is Lohri celebrated?

A mid-winter festival of India, observed mainly by Punjabis and North Indians, Lohri is celebrated one day before Makar Sankranti, on the 13th of January every year.

Significance of Lohri

Traditionally, Lohri is associated with the harvest of Rabi crops. People thank God for a good harvest by gathering around a bonfire, singing songs, dancing on the tunes of the dhol and offering rewri, peanuts, popcorns, etc. to the fire (a natural element).

Many people associate Lohri to the tale of Dulha Bhatti. Dulha Bhatti was a Muslim highway robber who converted to Sikhism and lived in Punjab during the reign of Akbar. He was regarded as a Punjabi hero and was Punjab’s very own Robin hood. He used to rob the rich and distribute the wealth amongst the needy. He used to rescue Sikh and Hindu girls from being sold and arranged to get them married to Sikh and Hindu boys. Most of the Lohri songs that are sung express gratitude to Dulha Bhatti.

Lohri songs are generally some short funny lines put together, all ending with a ‘Ho!’. One or more people sing the short lines followed by a ‘Ho!’ in the chorus.

How to celebrate Lohri?

Lohri is a festival of joy. During the day, children form groups and go from door to door singing Lohri songs of Dulha Bhatti. People, in turn, give them ‘Lohri’ which comprises candies, sweets, rewri, peanuts, popcorns and sometimes money. Returning these kids empty-handed is considered inauspicious.

The scale of Lohri celebration increases when it is a couple’s first Lohri after the wedding, or a kid’s first Lohri after birth. Family, friends, and neighbors are invited to join in the celebrations. Here are some steps on how to celebrate Lohri:

• • Find and Book the venue/place and send out Invitations for Lohri celebration

• • Book a dhol or DJ for the evening, or play your own playlist with a good mix of Lohri songs and other Punjabi dance numbers
  • Plan a menu and engage a caterer or ‘Maharaj’. Generally ‘Saron da saag’ and ‘Makki di roti’ is served as the main course at a Lohri dinner.

• • Book a tent with furniture and crockery, if needed
  • Plan out the attire of the family for the occasion
  • Ensure you have enough lighting and décor
  • Buy Return Gifts if required, gift wrap them and don’t forget to add Name Tags with a personalized message/thank you.
  • Send Reminders to guests

• Finally, light a big bonfire or many small ones, play and dance with family and friends, and enjoy it! 🙂

You May Also Like:

• Lohri: A fun-filled music, culture and food festival
• Celebrating the spirit of Lohri
• 7 Things Without Which Lohri is Incomplete!

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