Lohri

Lohri is a midwinter folk and harvest festival celebrated mainly in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan, marking the end of winter and the arrival of longer days. Observed on or near 13 January, it features bonfires, music, dancing, and festive foods, bringing communities together to welcome the sun’s return.

• Bonfires are lit at sunset, with singing and dancing around the flames.
• Traditional foods include gajak, jaggery, peanuts, and sarson da saag with makki di roti.
• Children go door to door collecting treats and singing folk songs.
• Lohri is especially festive in homes with recent marriages or new births.
• The festival honors the Punjabi folk hero Dulla Bhatti in its songs.

What it is

Lohri is a vibrant midwinter festival celebrated in the Punjab region and parts of northern India and Pakistan. It marks the passing of the winter solstice and the start of longer days, symbolizing warmth, renewal, and the end of the coldest part of the year. The festival is deeply rooted in agricultural traditions, serving as a joyful celebration of the harvest season. Families and communities gather around large bonfires, singing folk songs and sharing traditional foods. For many, Lohri is also a time to mark special family occasions, such as recent marriages or the birth of a child, with extra enthusiasm and communal spirit.

Where it comes from

Lohri’s origins lie in ancient midwinter celebrations in the regions near the Himalayan mountains, where winters are especially harsh. The festival is mentioned in accounts from the early 19th century, including celebrations at the royal court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Over time, Lohri became associated with both the agricultural cycle and local folklore, particularly the legend of Dulla Bhatti, a Punjabi hero who is celebrated in many Lohri songs. The lighting of bonfires and communal gatherings have long been central to the festival, symbolizing the return of the sun and the hope of a fruitful harvest.

How it is celebrated

Celebrating Lohri centers on lighting bonfires at sunset, often in village squares or family courtyards. People gather around the flames, tossing sesame seeds, jaggery, peanuts, and popcorn into the fire as offerings, while singing traditional songs—many invoking the legendary Dulla Bhatti. Dancing, especially bhangra and giddha to the beat of the dhol, is a lively part of the evening, with participants dressed in their brightest clothes. Special foods like sarson da saag with makki di roti, gajak, til rice, and roasted corn are enjoyed. In some regions, children go door to door singing and collecting treats, which are later shared among the group. In Jammu, unique traditions such as Chajja-making, Hiran dance, and garlands of dry fruits add local flavor to the festivities.

Joining in

To experience Lohri, head to Punjab or northern Indian cities like Amritsar, Ludhiana, or Chandigarh, where public and private celebrations fill the evening air with music and laughter. Visitors can expect to be welcomed into the warmth of bonfire gatherings, offered traditional snacks, and invited to join in the singing and dancing. In Pakistan, cities like Lahore and Faisalabad have seen a revival of Lohri, especially among Hindu and Sikh communities. Whether in a bustling city or a quiet village, the festival’s spirit of sharing and community is open to all who wish to take part.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Lohri, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Lohri on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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