Lohri
The life of Punjab, the land of festivals, is full of fairs and festivals.
There is hardly any month in the year, in which some or the other festival does not come. Lohri is also a joyous festival of Punjab, which is celebrated a day before Maghi in the month of January.
(Outline Festivals Country Lohri Word Tradition Folklore Crop Relation Lohri Demand for Sisters Lohri-Birth of Boy
The word Lohri - The word Lohri is formed from the word Til + Rodi, which later became Tilodi and then 'Lohri'.
In many places it is also called 'Lohi' or 'Loi'.
Tradition- The tradition of Lohri festival is very old.
Even in the Vedic period, sages used to perform Havan to please the gods.
In this religious work, the members of the family used to put ghee, honey, sesame and jaggery etc. in the havan.
Many stories are also associated with a festival.
According to a legend, Lohri Devi killed a tyrannical Rakshas and this festival is celebrated in memory of the same goddess.
This festival is also associated with the mythological legend 'Sati-Dahan'.
Relation to Folklore- Apart from this, another folklore is also related to it which is as follows.
Sundari was the daughter of a poor Brahmin.
The Brahmin fixed her betrothal in one place, but the dust ruler there, hearing of the girl's beauty, decided to get her.Hearing this, the girl's father asked the boys to take the girl to their home before marriage, but the boys were afraid. When the girl's father was going back disappointed, on the way he was attacked by Dulla Bhatti robbers.
After listening to the Brahmin's story of Ram, he promised to help him and marry his daughter by making him his daughter.
He went to the boy's house and meeting all the men of the village, he set fire to the forest at night and married the girl.
The clothes of a poor Brahmin's daughter were tattered even at the time of marriage.
Dulle Bhatti had only sugar at that time. He put that sugar in the girl's lap as an omen.
Later, in memory of this incident, this festival started to be celebrated by lighting fire.
Relationship with the crop- This festival is also related to the crop and has reached its peak.
It is also with the winter season.
At this time, the farmer's fields are full of wheat, rice and manure.
They are deaf.
Winter season is in full swing.
It is said that at this time the ashes are burnt by burning incense sticks.
Indeed, after this the turn begins to decrease.
Asking for Lohri- A few days before the day of Lohri comes, boys and girls walk in the streets asking for Lohri while singing songs.
Some give them grains, some jaggery, some paths and some money.
In the streets, the songs of iron-seeking groups resound—
You are beautiful, ringed, who cares about you?
be
Dulla Bhatti Wala, ho.
Groom's daughter married, ho.
Sugar pie, yes.
The burden of the girl, yes.
Long live the girl's uncle, ho.
Lambardar Sadaye, ho.
Count the numbers, yes.
One step remained, the soldier caught him and took him away.
Lohri for sisters - On this day, brothers carry lohri for their sister. They also take pinnies, food and any other gifts to their sister's house.
Happiness of the birth of a boy - in the houses in which a boy was born in the last year,
There are special celebrations in that house.
The women of this house distribute the boy's lohri, which includes jaggery, groundnuts and rice, etc.
Throughout the day in that house there is the chanting of the Gita by the boys and girls asking for iron. At night, the elders also join in this chanting. In the open yard, wood and sticks are collected and a big incense is lit.
Many women also burn charkha in the house to celebrate the happiness of having a boy.
Women and men eat riuris, peanuts, bhuga etc. while roasting dhuni till late night and throw tilchauli etc. in the dhuni.
After midnight, this festival continues until the incense fire cools down.
