January marks the beginning of the year and it also means celebrating agricultural activities of the farmers in India. Lohri is is a symbol of life. Several hopes of farmers are associated with this festival of Lohri as the fields promise a golden yield to the farmers.
Today, this the whole Punjab, Haryana, parts of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu, which are celebrating Lohri (or Makar Sankrati) dhoom dhaam se.
The rituals related to Lohri symbolize the attachment of the people with Mother Nature. A few days before the festival, youngsters get together in groups and go round their localities singing folk songs.
Doing this they also collect firewood and money for the bonfire that is scheduled on the night of Lohri. On the special day, offerings of phulley (popcorn), moongphali (peanuts) and rewri (a sweet delicacy made out of jaggery and sesame seed) are offered to the fire
It is said the bigger is the bonfire, the better.
All the seasonal goodies such as popcorn, reori, peanuts, sugar cane are a part of Lohri. They find their way to the fire, as an offering to the Sun of God, the giver of all life. This festival denotes the harvesting of the Rabi crops and hence all the farmers get together in order to thank god for giving them such a wonderful harvest.
People do parikrama (rotate around the bonfire) thrice and toss puffed rice, peanuts, and sweets into the fire, uttering "Aadar aye dilather jaye" (May prosperity arrive and poverty fade away!).
After praying to the fire god (Agni), people meet their relatives and friends to exchange greetings and prasad (offerings made to the fire god).
Hindus pour milk and water around the bonfire. This ritual is performed to honor the Sun God for his warm protection.
Traditionally, the offering comprises of five main eateries: roasted sesame seeds, jaggery, gajak, popcorn, and peanuts. Then, men beat the dhol (traditional drum) announcing the starting of the festivities. People dressed in colourful ethnic attire perform Giddha and Bhangra (popular folk dances) circling the bonfire.
Lohri holds special importance when there is a special occasion in the family like marriage or childbirth.
People also give a lot during that day to the needy. They eat sarson ka saag, makki ki roti and rau di kheer is served as a dessert, to end the day on a sweet note.
-RD- DreamyButterfly
Leprechaun Sonatia MistiRyous
graphics: oneheartMalec
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