*~*Lo Aagayi Ve! Happy Lohri*~* - Page 2

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@Get-Lost

IF-Sizzlerz

+ 2

Posted: 7 years ago

It's marks the end of chilly winter and dawning of rejuvenation, jubilation and festivity. It's Lohri time again in the month of January and the people in Punjab begin their celebrations. Bonfires are lit, traditional songs and dances accompany the fire in evening.

There are many origins of Lohri, all forming a part of Indian culture. Traditionally Lohri is believed to be the cultural celebration of 'winter solace'. It's a festival dedicated to fire and sun god'. When sun shines from the"Uttrarayan'', meaning it passes across Makar (the zodiac sign Capricorn) andmoves northwards, folks suggest that days get longer by the grain of one sesame seed'. As the sun's position alters, so does it brings forth warmth and comfort for Earth's inhabitants marking the commemoration of Lohri on the longest night before winter solace. Lohri celebrates this impending comfort and sees nightlong festivities that has people lighting bonfires to combat the chilly weather, and singing and dancing around it in a festive mood. The fire also symbolizes the sun and is seen as a source of energy and spiritual strength.

A key feature of Lohri, the bonfire.

Lohri occasion is generally accepted to be celebrated as a 'harvest festival'.Coming at the end of the winter season, it marks the last day of the month Paush, and beginning of the month Magha, wherein the primary North Indian'rabi' crops are harvested. As farmers gleam with joy on the first harvest of sugarcane and wheat crop, Lohri brings in merriment in their lives.

The origin of the Lohri can be traced back to the tale of Dulla Bhatti. By the end of the first week of January, small groups of boys ring the doorbell of houses and start chanting the Lohri songs related to Dulla Bhatti. In turn, the people give them popcorn, peanuts, crystal sugar, sesame seeds (til) or gur as well as money. Turning them back empty-handed is regarded inauspicious.

'Let purity come, dirt depart
Dirt be uprooted and its roots Cast in the fire.'

Crazy Creative de walon sab nu Lohri di lakh lakh vadhayi!

Edited by Get-Lost - 7 years ago

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Shivangi.

@bairaagix

IF-Stunnerz

+ 6

Posted: 7 years ago

This day is celebrated with a great pomp by Punjabis in India and all around the world. It's not only a festival but a symbol of life . The hopes of farmers are associated with it as they look forward for good plantation in the upcoming year .

Usually the day is celebrated with the family and relatives. People make Lohri Goddess idols with cow dung, decorate it, and kindle a fire beneath it. Dancing is one of the fun aspect of Lohri. The menfolk perform Bhangra, Luddi and various other dances while giddha and kikli are performed by female. The drums play an vital role as it is used for most of the folk songs. There are specific folk songs sung in the festival.

In the morning the children go from house to house singing ,

"Daba bharaya leera da

Ai ghar ameera da"

[Box filled with cloths strip, the house is of rich]

The main character of most of the Lohri songs is Dulla Bhatti, the hero of Punjab.

The central excitement of the festival is the bonfire. People lit huge bonfires in the harvest field, in front of their houses and gather around the bonfire throwing puffed rice , popcorn and other items while singing "Aadar Aaye, Dilather Jaye".

[May Honor come and Poverty Vanish]

There is a Pooja performed in beside bonfire and the Prasad compromising til, gazak, gul, moongphali, phuliya and popcorn is distributed. The people sing and dance all the night long.

The traditional food cooked in Lohri is Sarsoo ka saag, makki ki roti while Rau Di Kheer is the popular desert .

There are many fairs in villages in Punjab where people from various places come and take part in the fair and enjoy.

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