Lohri is not only a festival, it is a part of life, it is an occasion to flaunt the moods and colors of life. Lohri is all about merry-making after the completion of the harvest. When everyone is free from the works of cutting and gathering of the grains, it is time to relax, time to sing and dance. Lohri in Punjab is a festival of enjoyment with the traditional folk songs and dances.

Features of Lohri in Punjab

• The Lohri festival is one of the most important and colorful festivals of Punjab and also of Haryana.
• It is a festival connected with the solar year and it is celebrated on the 13th of January during the month of Paush or Magh, a day before Makar Sankranti.
• The time when the season of winter takes adieu, marks the celebration of the festival.
• Earlier it was celebrated mainly in Punjab but now people across the country celebrate this as a harvest festival like, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Bihu in Assam, Bhogi in Andhra Pradesh and the Sankranti in Karnataka, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
• Bonfire is the most essential part of Lohri. People gather around the bonfire and sing and dance.
• Friends and relatives exchange greetings among them during this time.
• There is puja, involving parikrama around the fire and distribution of prasad.
• The puja is performed beside the bonfire and the 'prasad' is distributed.
• The prasad comprises of six main things, they are til, gazak, gur, moongphali, phuliya and popcorn.
• Children sing from door to door and ask for the Lohri prasad.
• Sweets, puffed rice and popcorn are thrown into the fire.
• This symbolizes a prayer to Agni, the spark of life, for abundant crops, wellbeing and prosperity.
• Songs are an integral part of Lohri. Children sing these songs during this festival and many of the songs have acquired the status of legends with their age-old themes and lilting tunes.
• After the puja, it is time for feasting. The traditional dinner includes dishes like makki ki roti and sarson ka saag without which no Punjabi meal is complete.
• This is a very special occasion particularly for the couples who for the first time celebrate Lohri after their marriage.
• Also, the first Lohri of a new-born child either a girl or a boy in a family, holds much significance.

Season of Lohri in Punjab

January is the month when Lohri is celebrated.

How To Reach Punjab

Reaching the land of Lohri is not difficult at all.

By Air Chandigarh and Amritsar are the two major airports, connected to other cities in India by regular flights. Indian airlines do have regular flights from Chandigarh to Delhi, Lucknow, Leh, and Amritsar.

By Rail Punjab is well connected with other parts of the country by rail. Chandigarh, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Pathankot and Jalandhar are the major railway hubs in Punjab.

By Road State Highways connect major cities to the state capital. NH 1 or the Grand Trunk Road connects the state with most of the north as well as east India.

Tourtoindia.com offers all the information on Lohri in Punjab. For more information, please enter your query in the form below.