Lohri is a harvest festival celebrated by the Punjabi community on January 13th.
Lohri is a harvest festival celebrated by the Punjabi community on January 13th. It’s traditionally held during the month of Magh, which falls in the middle of winter. The festival commemorates the sun’s return to its northern course and represents prosperity and happiness for the coming year. Celebrations include burning a bonfire and making offerings to ancestors, such as food, drinks, and clothes. The day is also used to pray for good health and well-being.
It’s not known when Lohri began being celebrated or where it originated from. Some people believe that it was started by Guru Hargobind Ji in 1621 as a celebration of his release from prison after being arrested by Mughal Emperor Jahangir for refusing to convert to Islam. Others say that it was first celebrated by Sikhs who were celebrating Diwali with their Hindu neighbours during Partition in 1947.
