The festival of Lohri is celebrated with great pomp in India, especially in Punjab and Haryana. This festival is a symbol of happiness, prosperity and harvest. every year 13 January The festival of Lohri is celebrated. But have you ever thought that Lohri What does the word mean and what is its source? Come, let us talk about this in detail.
Festival of Lohri: An Introduction
Lohri is a festival to welcome the harvest season. It is celebrated a day before Makar Sankranti. especially Punjab, Haryana and Delhi NCR In areas like this festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and gaiety.
How is Lohri celebrated?
- Burning of the sacred fire:
In the evening, the sacred fire is lit with wood and cow dung cakes.
- Offering to fire:
Things like peanuts, sesame seeds, jaggery, gajak, maize and chidwa are dedicated to Agni.
- Folk songs and dances:
People dance around the fire and sing traditional folk songs.
- Mass celebration:
On Lohri, people wish each other well and wish for happiness and prosperity.
What is the meaning of the word Lohri?
There is a deep and symbolic meaning hidden behind the word Lohri. It is made up of three words:
- ‘L’ (Wood): Which is used for lighting the sacred fire.
- ‘Oh’ (Goh, i.e. dried cakes): Which are helpful in lighting the fire.
- ‘D’ (Rewari): Which is offered to Agni on this festival.
Thus, wood, uple and rewari have cultural and religious significance on the day of Lohri. This tradition connects this festival with nature and agriculture.
History and Traditions of Lohri
Reason to celebrate Lohri
The festival of Lohri is associated with various mythological and historical events. The most prominent stories in it are:
- Story of Dulla Bhatti:
Dulla Bhatti was a famous folk hero who rescued poor girls from rich merchants and got them married.
- Dulla Bhatti gave a secure life to the girls who were sold to the rich.
- Even today on the day of Lohri Dulla Bhatti Songs are sung:
“You are beautiful Mundriya, what are your thoughts…”
- Story related to Lord Shri Krishna:
This festival is also associated with Lord Krishna. It is believed that on the day of Lohri, Gokul residents welcomed Shri Krishna with dance and music along with Gopis.
Special traditions of Lohri
- Charkha Charkha:
On Lohri, there is a tradition of making a garland of cow dung cakes and offering it to the fire, which is spinning wheel They say.
- Folk song:
Lohri songs have special significance in Punjabi culture. Children and youth already go from door to door collecting wood and cow dung cakes and are given sesame seeds, jaggery, or money in return.
- traditional food:
On the day of Lohri, mustard greens are served with peanuts, gajak, sesame-jaggery laddus and corn bread.
importance of lohri
- Celebration of Nature and Agriculture:
This festival marks the new harvest and the end of the winter season. Farmers consider it a celebration of their hard work.
- social bonding:
On the day of Lohri, families and communities gather, which increases social unity and love.
- Cultural Heritage:
Lohri is a symbol of Indian culture, especially Punjabi traditions. It works to keep generations connected to their roots.
