Lohri 2022: Important things you need to know about Lohri festival

India is a land of festivals and here every festival has its own meaning, purpose and essence. With the festival of Lohri around the corner, let us tell you important things associated with this festival. Have you ever wondered by people revolve around the holy bonfire on Lohri and why certain food items are relished along with friends and family? As per experts, all this has a deeper meaning which is all about paying gratitude to the almighty and dancing to the beats of the dhol.

The word Lohri comes from ‘Tilohri’ i.e. ‘til’ meaning sesame and ‘rorhi’ meaning jaggery/gur. It is believed that both food ingredients help cleanse the body, bringing renewed energy for the New Year.

Lohri, is the harvest festival and belongs to the region of Punjab and mostly celebrated in northern part of India. On this day foods like til (black sesame seeds), gajak, gur (jaggery), peanuts, and popcorn are fed to the holy fire as part of the harvest ritual. Also, Lohri is associated with ‘Winter Solstice’ - the shortest day and the longest night. If historians are to be believed Lohri marks the end of winters and the onset of spring. Have a look at some important things associated with Lohri. (Image: istock)

As per experts, offering food items like til, peanut, and popcorn to the God of Fire (Agni) on this day helps take away all negativity from life and brings in prosperity. Here, the bonfire symbolises Lord Agni. After offering food to the fire, people revolve around the fire, seek blessings, and pray for peace and prosperity. (Image: istock)

While walking around the holy fire is important for every family, which celebrates Lohri, but it holds special value for the new brides. New brides celebrate this day with sheer enthusiasm and family and pray for the prosperity of newly married life. It is believed that wish made while revolving around the holy fire definitely turns true! (Image: istock)

Lohri is the harvest festival of Punjab and also marks the New Year for Punjabi farmers. On this day, farmers pray and show gratitude to the almighty, before the harvesting begins. During the puja rituals, they chant “Aadar aye dilather jaye” which means, “May honour come and poverty vanish.” (Image: istock)

As the day marks the end of chilly winter, the traditional meal of the day includes sarson da saag and makki di roti, til ki barfi, gur ki roti, makhane ki kheer, panjiri, pinni, till laddoo, gondh ladoo and more. People enjoy the winter foods in the company of friends and family. (Image: istock)

On this day, friends and family exchange edibles and gifts as a token of love and respect. In general, people exchange gajak, til laddoo, dry fruits and mithai, as these items are believed to bring in prosperity in families. (Image: istock)

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