Lohri 2021: Marking the end of winter, let’s welcome the sun

Celebrated primarily by Sikhs and Hindus pan India, ‘Lohri’ marks the end of the winter season. It is traditionally believed that it is celebrated to welcome the sun to the northern hemisphere. Involving a ‘Puja Parikrama’ around the bonfire, Lohri is celebrated a night before ‘Makar Sankranti’.

The festival of Lohri, also known as the festival of harvest, is essentially celebrated by the farmers.

History

According to popular belief, Lohri dates back to the Indus valley civilisation. While in northern India it is called Lohri, it is known by different names across India. Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti in West Bengal, Magha Bihu in Assam and Tai Pongal in Kerala.

While there are many versions of its history, the most famous and widely believed in is the story associated with Dulla Bhatti.

Like Robin Hood, Dulla Bhatti, too, popular among the poor, during Akbar’s rule. Bhatti used to take from the rich and distribute it among the needy, giving him a god-like statute and revered. Another legend goes that he once saved a girl from the kidnappers and then raised her as his own.

Other relatable stories are that the term ‘Lohri’ is derived from ‘loh‘, which means an iron griddle (tava) on which chapattis are prepared. Another states that it is derived from ‘Loi’, wife of the celebrated reformer Kabir Das.

Traditions

Like Halloween, children go door-to-door asking for Lohri items such as sweets, sugar, sesame seeds, jaggery and cow dung cakes. What makes the visitations warm is the song that they sing in the praise of Dulla Bhatti, coupled with other traditional songs.

In Twilight, people assemble in an open space and make a big bonfire. Since Lohri is akin to a festival of thanksgiving, oblations are offered, and ‘mantras are chanted.

All the ‘loot’, collected from the populace, are put in the fire as an offering and the remaining ‘prasad’ are then distributed among everyone.

People traverse the fire as a sign of respect and pray for their prosperity and health. This is followed by traditional folk dances of Bhangra and Gidda, separately.