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Lohri - Punjab, Delhi
Lohri marks the culmination
of winter, and is celebrated on the 13th day of January in the month of
Paush or Magh, a day before Makar Sankranti. For Punjabis, this is more
than just a festival, it is also an example of a way of life. Lohri celebrates
fertility and the spark of life. People gather round the bonfires, throw
sweets, puffed rice and popcorn into the flames, sing popular songs and
exchange greetings.
In the North Makar Sankranti
is called Lohri. Lohri is the time after which the biting cold of the winters
begins to taper off.
On this day children go from
door to door to collect funds for community bonfires which are lit up in
the evening. Lohri is more of a community festival as people gather around
the bonfires and offer sweets, crisp rice and popcorn to the flames.
An extremely auspicious day, Lohri marks the sun's entry in to the 'Makar
Rashi' (northern hemisphere). The period, beginning from 14 January lasting
till 14 July, is known as Uttarayan. It is also the last day of the month
of Maargazhi, the ninth month of the lunar calendar. The Bhagawad Gita
deems it an extremely sacred and auspicious time, when Lord Krishna manifests
himself most tangibly. And so, across India, people celebrate the month
and the prodigious harvest it brings - Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Bihu in Assam,
Bhogi in Andhra Pradesh and the Sankranti in Karnataka, Bihar and Uttar
Pradesh. .
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The focus of Lohri is on
the bonfire. The traditional dinner with makki ki roti and sarson ka saag
is quintessential. The prasad comprises of five main things: til, gazak,
gur, moongphali, phuliya and popcorn. There is puja, involving parikrama
around the fire and distribution of prasad. This symbolises a prayer to
Agni, the spark of life, for abundant crops and prosperity |
It is also the one day when
the womenfolk and children get attention. The first Lohri of a bride is
extremely important. The first Lohri of a newborn baby, whether a girl
or a boy, is also equally important. Children go from door to door singing
and asking for the Lohri prasad.
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