Lohri — the harvest festival — commemorates the passing of the chilly winter winds and the return of longer days full of bright sunshine. Lohri is associated with the harvest of the rabi crops and the next day, Magh, is the day of the new financial year. Hence, Lohri plays a very important role in the life of a farmer when new agricultural deals are finalised.
During the daytime children go from door to door singing songs like and children are given sweets and money. In the evening, people light a bonfire and offer jaggery, corn and peanuts to the fire. People go around the fire, singing and dancing.
It is traditional to offer till, gachchak, gur and phulley to people as well as to fire. Lohri coincides with the festivals of Pongal, Bhogali, Bihu and Bhogi. In Andhra Pradesh, the day preceding Makar Sankranti is called Bhogi. Discarding of old things and focusing on new things symbolises change and a new beginning. It also means saying goodbye to bad habits and thoughts.
Lohri is celebrated on the last day of Poh and the next day is Makar Sankranti for Hindus and Maghi for Sikhs. Maghi is celebrated by Sikhs in memory of martyrdom of Chalis Mukte (40 immortals) at Muktsar. The Sikhs visit gurdwaras and listen to Gurbani. It is customary to take bath at a religious place to cleanse oneself of all sins.
Kulbir Kaur teaches sociology at Shyama Prasad Mukherji College, Delhi University
