Lohri

What Is The Story Behind Lohri Festival?

Along with the Lohri being celebrated as an end to the winter season or worshipping the sun and fire god, one story makes the festival of Lohri more interesting and exciting—the story of the legend Dulla Bhatti.

• Dulla Bhatti And His Kindness

The story of Dulla Bhatti, who was there during Emperor Akbar in the 16th century, was a saviour. During those times, he was known for his fearless attitude. Dulla Bhatti was a very generous man who saved young girls from being kidnapped and sold in the Middle East. He used to rescue those poor girls. He used to get them married to a well-settled man.

The story of Dulla Bhatti started when he rescued the two girls, Sundari and Mundari and helped them with their daily necessities. Later, he married them to a nice Hindu family, ensuring their happiness and well-being. So, the folk songs of the festival of Lohri festival celebration link the names of this legend to honour and respect him.

Significance Of Lohri Festival

The festival of Lohri is celebrated as a social and cultural gathering where all the families and friends come together to celebrate the harvest season. This festival is celebrated as a season of fertility and new beginnings.

This festival is celebrated to honour the agricultural community who works hard to grow crops and pays tribute to nature's abundance. During this festival, everyone gathers by wearing new attire and preparing traditional dishes to make the celebration memorable. Before the celebration begins, people collect dried leaves and twigs for the bonfire.

Moreover, this festival is celebrated in a traditional Punjabi way, where people play drums and dhols to add joy and excitement. All the farmers and agricultural members gather to thank Surya God and Agni God for the excellent harvest.

Lohri Festival: Rituals And Remedies

Some of the main rituals and remedies observed on the day of the Lohri celebration to make the celebration more exciting and filled with zeal and enthusiasm are mentioned below. Read below to learn about the essential rituals and remedies of the Punjabi festival Lohri.

• Lohri Rituals

1. Firstly, before the Lohri festival celebration starts, people dip in the holy water to cleanse all their impurities.
2. On the day of Lohri, a bonfire is held, so people collect sticks, clothes and fried leaves to burn.
3. Offerings are made to the bonfire by chanting traditional prayers and singing folk songs.
4. Offerings like sesame seed, Jaggery, peanuts, and popcorn are burned during the bonfire as a thanksgiving to the farmers and agricultural workers.
5. Prasad is distributed among the people from the bonfire, which is considered to bring luck and prosperity.
6. On the auspicious event of the Lohri festival celebration, families and friends exchange gifts as a blessing. Moreover, married couples are especially presented gifts and blessings by the elderly people in the family.
7. All the people come together to sing and dance to traditional folk songs. Moreover, Bhangra and Gidda are the most important folk dances performed to add zeal and enthusiasm to the celebration.

• Lohri Remedies

1. Distributing Til (Sesame) and Gur (Jaggery) to all the family members and relatives is essential to gain luck and abundance.
2. You must not waste food during the festival of Lohri because it is a harvest festival where people pray for food grains.
3. During Lohri Puja, you can chant the mantra "ॐ श्री सुर्याय नमः" (Om Shri Suryaya Namah), asking for blessings from Sun God. However, chanting this mantra with faithfulness and focus can improve the spiritual significance of the puja.
4. Bonfires are significant during the festival of Lohri, so you must avoid doing any destructive or disrespectful activities around the fireplace.
5. On the auspicious day of Lohri, early morning, as the Sun is about to rise, offer water to Surya Dev that can invoke blessings and bring wealth.

Read About Other Important Festivals