Lohri 2024: Date, history & Other Facts

Lohri is a Hindu festival celebrated by the people of the North India, mainly Punjab. Check the date of Lohri 2024 and all the other details you need to know.

Lohri festival, lohri 2022

The Lohri festival is widely celebrated in Punjab and Haryana regions. It is a festival devoted to Agni, the God of Fire, and is celebrated every year on the 13th of January with immense enthusiasm. It is always observed during the month of Paush or Magh, which begins one day before Makar Sankranti.

Lohri falls on Saturday,13th January 2024.

About Lohri Festival 2024

Lohri is an Indian festival that takes place on the winter solstice. It also marks the harvest celebration that farmers in north of India, especially in Punjab and Haryana, enthusiastically celebrate. The Lohri celebrations begin early in the morning with people exchanging warm greetings and sweets.

Let’s learn more about this Indian festival referred to as the Punjab Harvest festival below.

History behind the Festival of Lohri

Lohri is celebrated during the harvest season of the winter crops. There is a well-known mythology related with the Lohri festival. 

The story centers around a Muslim Rajput peasant called Dulla Bhattiwala, who was born in mid sixteenth century in Pind Bhattian, Punjab, during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar. His ancestors had earlier defied various Mughal laws and were punished for the same. He grew up as a gutsy man and took upon him the task of saving girls who were forcibly sold into slavery and then marrying them off, often even paying for their dowry. For this, he is often referred to as “Robinhood of Punjab“.

The bravery of this Dulla Bhatti, in reference to two of the girls he saved Sundari and Mundari, is commemorated on Lohri festival through a song which has now become part of the Punjabi folklore and is sung with full zest while dancing around the bonfire.  

Significance Of Lohri

This festival celebrates the harvest season in the winter. This festival occurs on Uttaryana Day, and from this day onwards the daytime become longer and the nights become shorter. Wheat is the principal crop farmed in Punjab, and it is typically sown in October each year. By January, the new crop has taken shape and is beginning to grow. The harvesting is completed at the end of March or early April. As a result, Lohri is a joyous occasion for the Punjabis.

When will Lohri be celebrated in 2024?

In Lohri festival, Hindus and Sikhs lit bonfires in their yards after the harvest of rabi crops, sit around the flames, sing and dance together. Punjabis, on the other hand, celebrate Lohri at the end of the month, which coincides with the winter solstice. The Hindu festival of Lohri marks the arrival of the winter solstice.

Lohri is on Saturday, 13th January 2024.

List of Main Events During Lohri Festival

Out of a number of entertaining events held during Lohri, the main events are:

1. Bonfire

Lighting bonfires, eating festive cuisine, dancing, and collecting gifts are all part of the Lohri festivities. Lohri is celebrated with much enthusiasm in homes that have just experienced a marriage or child.   Lohri rituals are conducted, with specific Lohri songs.

2. Lohri Trick or Treat

In some parts of Punjab, boys choose a team member to cover his face with ash and tie a rope around his waist as part of a popular “trick or treat” activity. The notion is that the chosen person will act as a warning to others who refuse to provide Lohri gifts. The guys would request Lohri products by singing Lohri songs. If the amount given is insufficient, the resident will be given a mandate to give more or the rope would be unfastenedallowing the smeared-faced boy will try to break into the house and shatter the clay pots or the clay stove.

3. Musical Festivities

Music and dancing are two of the most essential aspects of the celebrations. People dress up in their best attire to compete in dance and singing competitions. Lohri celebrations begin 10 to 15 days before the festival in various districts of Punjab.

Popular Lohri Song

Sunder mundriye ho!
Tera kaun vicharaa ho!
Dullah Bhatti walla ho!
Dullhe di dhee vyayae ho!
Ser shakkar payee ho!
Kudi da laal pathaka ho!
Kudi da saalu paata ho!
Salu kaun samete!
Chacha gali dese!
Chache choori kutti! zamidara lutti!
Zamindaar sudhaye!
Bum Bum bhole aaye!
Ek bhola reh gaya!
Sipahee far ke lai gaya!
Sipahee ne mari itt!
Paanvey ro te paanvey pitt!
Sanoo de de Lohri, te teri jeeve jodi!
(Laugh, cry or howl!)

Popular Cuisines made on Lohri Festival

Sarson da saag and makki di roti is usually served as the main course at a Lohri festival. Lohri celebrations revolve around sugarcane products like gurh and gachak, as well as nuts  radish, crushed nuts, and jaggerywhich are some of the  traditional foods. 

Lohri Festival in other Countries

Harvest festivals, like Lohri in Punjab, are known by a variety of names in other parts of India.

  • Pongal in Tamil Nadu
  • Bhogi in Andhra Pradesh
  • Bhugali Bihu in Assam
  • Makar Sankaranti in central India

Although the customs and rituals for celebrating the Lohri festival vary, the basic message of eliminating negative vibes toward one another, being unified, and rejoicing together remains the same.

FAQ On Lohri Festival

Lohri 2024 will be celebrated on Saturday, 13th January.

Lohri is celevrated to mark the beginning of winter solistice and harvest festival.

Sunder mundriye ho!
Tera kaun vicharaa ho!
Dullah Bhatti walla ho!
Dullhe di dhee vyayae ho!
Ser shakkar payee ho!
Kudi da laal pathaka ho!
Kudi da saalu paata ho!
Salu kaun samete!
Chacha gali dese!
Chache choori kutti! zamidara lutti!
Zamindaar sudhaye!
Bum Bum bhole aaye!
Ek bhola reh gaya!
Sipahee far ke lai gaya!
Sipahee ne mari itt!
Paanvey ro te paanvey pitt!
Sanoo de de Lohri, te teri jeeve jodi!
(Laugh, cry or howl!)

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