Lohri in Punjab : A festival of fire, folk songs & fields!

Maybe that’s why travel aficionados consider Punjab as one of the primary winter tourist places in India. So, if you are up for clicking pictures in sarso ke khet and enjoy a big glass of Lassi, get ready to celebrate Lohri in Punjab, because it will be worth it! Check out this blog as it talks about the significance, tradition and everything related to Punjabi festival Lohri. 

Why is Lohri a special festival?

Lohri is celebrated to mark the ending of winter and beginning of longer days. It is especially celebrated in North India including Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh & Delhi NCR. It is generally celebrated on January 13th which is just a day before Makar Sankranti. There are multiple reasons behind why Lohri is considered to be a special festival. Here’s a quick view!

• Harvest Celebrations : Lohri is deeply linked to the Rabi crop harvest, especially wheat. It is the celebration of farmer’s hard work of the season and everyone prays for prosperity and abundance. 
• Worship Lord Agni : As bonfire is one of the main rituals of Lohri, the fire God is worshipped and is the symbol of life, warmth and energy. People celebrating offer sesame seeds, jaggery, peanuts, and popcorn to show gratitude towards Mother Nature. 
• Seasonal Transition : Lohri signifies the winter solstice period that is when the Sun begins its journey towards the north and the days become longer and warmer. 
• Cultural & Social Significance : It is extensively celebrated and inculcates the feeling of joy and togetherness. People perform folk songs, bhangra, gidda and enjoy tasting the delicious food items. 
• Auspicious for a new start: This festival is considered to be one of the most auspicious occasions for the newly born and newly weds as people pray for good luck before beginning their new journey. 

So, before you plan your trip to India, make sure you do check out the India travel guide which will help you to dive deep and find out the bestest places to celebrate all Indian festivals in a grand way. 

Top 5 Destinations in Punjab to celebrate Lohri

There is a long list of upcoming festivals in India and Lohri is at the top. Here’s a quick view of the list of topmost destinations in Punjab to celebrate Lohri. 

• Amritsar : It is the heart and soul of Punjab. One can join community bonfires, dance on folk beats, try bhangra and gidda and of course visit Golden Temple which is beautifully decorated on the special occasion. You can also enjoy makki di roti, sarson ka saag, gajak and til ladoos. 
• Ludhiana : This is indeed a lively and vibrant city where Lohri is widely celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm in open grounds. One can dance around local bonfires in residential colonies, attend any cultural events, enjoy tasty and yummy authentic Punjabi dishes and witness the blend of traditions and modernity. 
• Patiala : Popular for its royalty, richness and traditions, Patiala is also one of the best destinations to celebrate Lohri. One can also spend time in Heritage Havelis and open courtyards. Witness the Punjabi folk performances, explore Qila Mubarak and the local bazaars as well. Get to taste the delicious Punjabi cuisine. 
• Jalandhar : This is a perfect spot for authentic and community centric Lohri celebrations. You can participate in traditional bonfire rituals, sing along folk songs with locals, enjoy homestyle food and dance your heart out. 
• Rural Villages of Punjab (Near Phagwara  or Batala) : You can witness one of the most soulful Lohri here. Celebrate Lohri amidst the open farms and fields and enjoy the essence of festivities. Also, you can taste the delicious and freshly cooked village meals and dance on the live dhol beats. 

What are the must-try Lohri Foods? 

Indian festivals are popular because of its rich and delicious cuisine, and so here is the list of various Lohri dish, which are immensely delicious and surely unmissable. 

• Sarson ka saag & Makki di Roti : This is the ultimate winter food of Punjab 
• Gajak : This is a crunchy sweet made with sesame seeds and jaggery 
• Til (Sesame) Ladoos : This ensures energy and warmth, these jaggery based ladoos are one of the staple dishes
• Rewari : This tastes sweet and is made up of sesame seeds and jaggery
• Peanuts or Moongfali : The roasted peanuts are offered to bonfire and is offered to family and friends 
• Popcorn : This is a classic Lohri snack which is tossed into the fire as an offering 
• Gur or Jaggery : It is consumed in different ways and is sweet in taste
• Chikki : This is hard and crunchy brittle which is made up of nuts and jaggery 
• Pinni : This is rich punjabi sweet made with wheat flour, desi ghee, jaggery and nuts

These Lohri foods are extremely delicious and are a must have on this occasion. 

So, if you are planning to explore India during winters, Punjab should be one of your places to visit in India, especially to attend and participate in Lohri, the harvest festival. 

India is a country with multifaceted culture, tradition, custom and people. This beautiful country celebrates innumerable festivals such as Lohri, Makar sankranti, Pongal in different ways and these are one of the major reasons why travelers across the world visit this wonderful country to witness the charm and aura of India. One can experience enormous benefits of traveling in India as they get to learn about different cultures, traditions, customs, food habits and of course meet people from different corners of the world. 

FAQs 

When is Lohri celebrated?

Lohri is celebrated every year on 13th January

Why is Lohri celebrated in Punjab?

Lohri is celebrated in Punjab to signify the end of winter and the harvesting of Rabi crops such as wheat and sugarcane. 

How is Lohri celebrated today?

Lohri is celebrated by people around bonfires, sing folk songs and perform bhangra and gidda

What are the traditional foods cooked and consumed in Lohri?

Makki di roti, sarson da saag, gajak, rewari and peanuts

What is the importance of Lohri bonfire?

It denotes warmth, energy, and gratitude to the Sun God.