Lohri
The festival of Lohri is celebrated on January 13 according to the solar calendar. It is celebrated in North India. Lohri is a mid-winter festival. It marks the end of the coldest days of winter in North India. Lohri is celebrated with huge bonfires that are lit up in the harvest fields of rabi crops. It is the celebration of the harvest time and thanking the Lord and getting the blessings of the goddess Lohri. People gather around the bonfires and sing folk song and dance around the flames.
The origin of Lohri traces back to the famous story of Dulla Bhatti. He was born in a Punjabi family warrior clan. Like his grandfather and father, he waged a guerrilla warfare against the Mughal Emperor,Akbar. Akbar imposed taxes on the citizens of Lahore. Legend has it that he would steal from the rich and give to the poor. Girls kidnaped by the Mughals were rescued by him and they were married to the local boys.
According to folklore Holika and Lohri are sisters. While Holika perished in the Holi fire, the Lohri survived with Prahlad.
How to celebrate
- As it is with Holi, on the morning of Lohri enthusiastic children dressed in new clothes arrive at the neighborhoods doors singing asking for generous Lohri ‘loot’ in the form of wood, delicacies such as sesame seeds (til) ladoos, peanuts, jaggery, and traditional sweets.
- After sunset, bonfires are created, people gather around the bonfires in a circle and go around it. They toss the collected items into the fire and pray to the fire god.After praying to the fire god, people meet their relatives and friends to exchange greetings and prasad.
- Traditionally, the offerings comprise of five main eateries: roasted sesame seeds, jaggery, and peanuts similar to Makara Sankranti The festivities start with the beat of the dhol (traditional drum). Both men and women dressed in colorful ethnic attire perform Bhangra (popular folk dances) circling the bonfire.
Activities for Kids
- Create fire in a fire pit, like a campfire.
- Roast marshmallows in the pit and put them between graham crackers.
- Add all the bonfire items to this fire.
- Sing campfire songs that kids like to sing, and include Lohri traditional songs.
- Dance around this campfire.
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