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| CelebrationsinWorld » Festivals of India » Sikh Festival » Lohri |
Lohri |
| Lohri is the harvest festival of Punjab and like all other festivals celebrated in the state, Lohri too accounts for several traditions, customs and rituals besides loads of merriment that is observed in the highest magnitude. Lohri is celebrated on the 13th of January every year, at a time when the fields are golden with the ripe wheat and every body rejoices on the occasion of a great cultivation, signifying prosperity. |
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The highlight of the celebrations of Lohri lies in the huge bonfire that is lit in the evenings and every member of the family is present there to wish each other ‘Happy Lohri’ and to offer prayers to the fire god. Offerings like peanuts, popcorns and other items like ‘gajjak’ and ‘rewri’ are also done as a thanksgiving gesture for the wonderful sunlight it provided.
Lohri marks the end of the winter season thus paving the path for the summers. As every one is happy over a good harvest, feasting, is one of the most important elements of this celebration! In Punjab songs related to Dulla Bhatti are sung by young boys who go from door to door collecting money, popcorns, peanuts, sesame seeds as well as jaggery ti be distributed amongst themselves at night. Dulla Bhatti is believed to have been a thief by profession who robbed the rich and helped the poor. Thus it is also believed that the celebrations of Lohri dates back to the times of Dulla Bhatti.
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Lohri is an especially significant festival particularly in the families where there has been a marriage ceremony lately or in those where there have been a birth, especially the birth of a baby boy. In these families, Lohri is celebrated with more pomp and glory than the rest. Lavish feasts are held and friends and relatives are invited to come and celebrate Lohri with the new born baby and to bless the newly wedded couples.
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