Every year on the 13th of January Lohri is celebrated across North India, especially in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir. It is the first festival celebrated in India after the new year which also marks the beginning of the harvest season of the rabi crops and the end of the winter season.

It is celebrated a day prior to the festival of Makar Sankranti and after Lohri the nights get shorter and the days will get longer. Lohri also marks the arrival of warm weather and the festival is celebrated by lighting a bonfire and then offering sesame seeds, jaggery, gajak, rewdi, and peanuts to the lit bonfire while performing Parikrama around it.

Hence, amid the cold winter nights Lohri is celebrated to add warmth to the lives of the people.

The festival is a joyous occasion for newlyweds and newborns. It is a festival of togetherness and the bonding of friends and family. A perfect blend of feasts, fun, and festivities.

Lohri is also known as Lohadi or Lal Loi.

Singing and dancing are integral parts of the festivities. The people of Punjab celebrate Lohri with much enthusiasm with people dressing up to do Bhangra and Gidda on the beat of the dhol, along with singing Punjabi songs.

Sarson da saag and Makki di roti is the main course at the Lohri dinner.

Source: jagranjosh