Lohri is
one of the most zestful festivals of Punjab. It always falls on the
13th day of January, a day before the Makar Srankant which is
the first day of Pongal. Lohri, like Pongal, is essentially
a festival of the agriculturists but does not denote harvest. It is the
celebration of bountiful crop standing in the field. It is being observed in the
Punjab for centuries. The Punjab means the land of five rivers (Ravi, Jhelum,
Chenab, Satlej and Beas). After partition of India, all have gone to Pakistan
except Sutlej and Beas.
In
Punjab, wheat is the main winter crop, which is sown in October and harvested in
March or April. In January, the delight of the farmers knows no bound when they
see the fields coming up with the promise of gold (the ripe wheat fields look
golden in color), the result of their intense toil and sweat. They celebrate
Lohri during this rest period before work in the fields again requires
their attention.
In
January the weather is very cold. What better way to enjoy than to light a
bonfire near the village square, which forms the essence and the focal point of
Lohri. A community spirit is maintained during the Lohri festival
and everyone tries to participate setting aside his or her differences.
The bonfire is the deity (Agni) and offerings
are made while making the Parikrama (circling) around the bonfire,
shouting “Aadar aye dilather jaye” (may honor come and poverty be
banished). Bhangra, dance by men, begins after the offering to the
bonfire. Dancing continues till
late night with new groups joining with the beat of drums. Food served during
Lohri is non-vegetarian and no hard drinks are
served.
Before and during Lohri, women get invariably
very busy collecting and preparing edibles. Children go door-to-door asking for
donation both in kind and money to celebrate the festivity on the
14th January (Sankrant).
Traditionally, women do not join Bhangra. They
hold separate bonfire in their courtyard, do the circling (parikrama)
with graceful Gidda dance.
The first Lohri celebrated by a new bride or a
newborn represents a grand occasion and immediate family members are invited for
feast and exchange of gifts. After the party, Lohri is celebrated with
traditional dancing and singing around the bonfire.
