Ashok Sharma
ashoksharma23may@gmail.com
India, often described as a land of diversity, is a living example of unity in diversity. Languages, religions, customs and cuisines change every few hundred kilometres, yet a strong emotional thread binds the nation together. Festivals play a pivotal role in strengthening this bond. Among these festivals, Lohri occupies a distinctive place, particularly in North India, including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and the Duggar region in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Celebrated every year on January 13, Lohri marks the end of the harsh winter season and the beginning of longer days after the Winter Solstice. It also coincides with the harvesting of Rabi crops, especially sugarcane and wheat, making it essentially a festival of thanksgiving to nature. More social than religious in character, Lohri is celebrated as a festival of joy, prosperity, fertility and community bonding.
Lohri is deeply connected with the agrarian lifestyle of North India. For farming communities, it marks a pause in the agricultural calendar-a moment to thank nature for its generosity and to pray for abundance in the coming season. The cold, foggy days of Paush month begin to wane and the Sun’s northward journey promises warmth, growth and renewal. The festival, therefore, becomes a celebration of hope, survival and continuity and in Duggar, farmers look upon Lohri as a symbolic farewell to winter’s severity.
Legends Associated with Lohri
Lohri is enriched by folklore and legends that lend it depth and emotional resonance. The most popular legend is that of Dulla Bhatti, a legendary hero who lived during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Dulla Bhatti is remembered as the Punjabi Robin Hood-a rebel who stood up against injustice and exploitation. According to popular belief, he rescued young girls who were being forcibly sold or taken away and arranged their marriages, providing dowries from wealth taken from the rich and corrupt.
Two such girls, Sundri and Mundri, rescued and rehabilitated by Dulla Bhatti, live on in the collective memory of the people through the iconic Lohri song ‘Sunder Munderiye, ho!’ This song, sung especially by children while going from door to door, is not just a folk tune but a tribute to social justice, compassion and courage. Other folk songs like ‘Hulle nee maiye hulle’ express gratitude for the harvest and seek blessings for prosperity and happiness. Passed down orally from generation to generation, these songs preserve cultural wisdom and social values in their purest form.
Preparations for Lohri
Preparations for Lohri begin days, sometimes weeks, in advance. In rural areas, especially in Duggar villages, children and elders collect firewood, twigs, dry grass and cow dung cakes to build the bonfire. Markets come alive with festive energy as shopkeepers display heaps of groundnuts, sesame seeds (til), jaggery (gur), popcorn, rewri and gajak-all traditional Lohri offerings.On the day of Lohri, children roam from house to house, singing traditional Lohri songs and collecting gifts. They are rewarded with sweets, money and heartfelt blessings.
A unique and colourful feature of Lohri in Duggar is the Chhajja Dance. Boys create decorative structures called Chhajja using bamboo sticks and colourful paper. Carrying these on their shoulders, they move from house to house, singing energetic songs like ‘ Chhajja mora bhai Chhajja mora’ and ‘Dabba bharya leeraan da, ae ghar ameeraan da’.Special attention is given to houses where a marriage has taken place or a child has been born during the year, as these occasions are considered highly auspicious.Young girls, too, visit homes, especially those blessed with newborns, singing cheerful lohri songs and demanding gifts in a playful manner. Elders welcome them with sweets and money, symbolizing blessings for happiness and fertility.
The Bonfire
Heart of Lohri Celebrations: As the sun sets on January 13, families and neighbours gather around the bonfire-the heart and soul of Lohri. The fire symbolizes warmth, energy, purification and fertility. People circumambulate the fire, offering til, gur, peanuts, rewri and popcorn while chanting prayers for prosperity, health and protection from evil forces.The act of offering food to the flames is an expression of gratitude towards nature and a prayer for continued abundance. Around the bonfire, people sing folk songs, clap, dance and exchange greetings. Garlands made of dried coconut,groundnut and other dry fruits are made for children who wear them happily.
Special Significance for Newlyweds and Newborns
Lohri holds exceptional importance for newly married couples and families blessed with newborn children. For them, the festival marks the beginning of a new chapter in life. Celebrations in such households are more elaborate, with special feasts organized and relatives and friends invited to join the festivities.New brides adorn themselves in vibrant traditional attire, often gifted by in-laws while newborns are showered with blessings, clothes and sweets.
Folk Performances and Heran Dance
In many regions, Lohri celebrations are enhanced by folk performances. One of the most captivating among them is the Heran Dance (Deer Dance). Folk artists dressed as deer, girls and a joker move from house to house, entertaining people with lively performances. Their antics, combined with rhythmic music and humorous dialogue, fill the night with laughter and excitement.The air resounds with joyful slogans and songs like ‘Harna Harna Shalien De, Sutte de byali de, Harney ditti latte di, Chur bhajji khatte di.’
Astrological and Spiritual Dimensions
Lohri is closely linked with astronomy and spirituality. It coincides with the Sun’s transition into Capricorn (Makar), marking the beginning of Uttarayan, an auspicious period in Hindu tradition. This celestial shift symbolizes the movement from darkness to light, from cold to warmth and from stagnation to growth.Through rituals and prayers, people seek divine blessings for agricultural prosperity, health and happiness.
Unity in Diversity
One of Lohri’s most admirable aspects is its inclusive nature.In regions like Duggar, people from different communities participate with equal enthusiasm, reinforcing the spirit of brotherhood and mutual respect.In today’s fast-paced world, however, traditional festivals face the risk of dilution. The younger generation, often absorbed in digital screens, may remain unaware of the deeper cultural significance of such celebrations. It therefore becomes the responsibility of parents, teachers and elders to involve children in Lohri rituals and educate them about its values.
Modern Expressions of Lohri
Modern times have given Lohri new expressions. Schools, colleges and institutions now organize Lohri functions where students dress in traditional attire, perform folk dances and light symbolic bonfires. Social media platforms overflow with Lohri greetings, photographs and videos, extending the festival’s reach beyond geographical boundaries.While the mode of celebration may change, the essence of Lohri remains intact-gratitude to nature, joy in togetherness and celebration of life’s abundance.
Conclusion
Lohri is a cultural legacy that embodies gratitude, unity and joy. It celebrates nature’s bounty, strengthens social bonds and promotes communal harmony. As bonfires illuminate the winter night, they symbolize hope, warmth and positivity, reminding us of humanity’s enduring relationship with nature and community.The crackling bonfire, the rhythmic beats of the dhol and the cheerful folk songs of Lohri echo the timeless spirit of celebration- a message that continues to define the nation’s cultural soul.
(The writer is a Senior Lecturer (retd.) from the School Education Department, Government of J&K.)
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