lohri
Winter folk festival mainly celebrated in the northern states of the nation primarily in the Punjab State by Punjabi's. It is a winter festival.Lohri marks the end of winter and is a traditional welcome of longer days and the sun's journey to the northern hemisphere by Sikhs and Hindus in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent. Lohri is an ancient mid winter festival originating in regions near the Himalayan mountains where winter is colder than the rest of the subcontinent. Hindus traditionally lit bonfires in their yards after the weeks of the rabi season cropping work, socialized around the fire, sang and danced together as they marked the end of winter and the onset of longer days. After the night of bonfire celebrations, Hindus would mark Makar Sankranti and go to a sacred water body such as a river or lake to bathe.
Significance
It is to celebrate both winter crop season celebration and a remembrance of the Sun deity.Lohri songs are about the people asking sun for more heat and light. The central theme of many Lohri songs is the legend of Dulla Bhatti who lived in Punjab during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar. He was regarded as a hero in Punjab, for rescuing Hindu girls from being forcibly taken to be sold in slave market of the Middle East.
Celebration-
Lohri is celebrated with a bonfire. It is an ancient tradition to sit around the bonfire , sing traditional songs and eat the harvest food. It is also called the harvest festival.
Lohri
Traditional food -
Sarson-da saag-
Made with nutritious mustard leaves, this dish is rich in folate, iron and various other types of nutrients. When you top this recipe with white homemade butter, the dish becomes more delectable.
Gur-gajak
One just can’t imagine celebrating Lohri without gur ki gajak as it is a traditional recipe of Punjab. You can only find this sweet in the market during the winter season as it keeps you healthy in the cold weather.
Tilohri-
Lohri actually comes from the word ‘Tilohri' i.e. ‘til' meaning sesame and ‘rorhi' meaning jaggery/gur. Eventually, the festival was just referred to as Lohri. These two traditional foods are associated with the festival as “they are both believed to cleanse the body from within, bringing renewed energy for the new year,”
Peanut-
The dry fruit which gives you inner heat and helps you in being warm during the cozy winter season.
Popcorn
popcorn are thrown into the bonfire that symbolises Agni, the God of Fire. It is believed that these offerings are thrown in the sparkling flames to effectively impress the gods and thus seek blessings for yourself and family.
Songs list-
laal ghaagra
Mauja hi mauja
lodi
Tutak Tuak Tutian
Nagada Nagada
bele apne di Lodi
charha de rang
rola pe gaya
Bhangra paawan jee karda
balle balle
Sauda khara khara