LOHRI FESTIVAL

LOHRI FESTIVAL

Context:

Lohri was celebrated on 13 January 2022. Lohri is a popular winter festival celebrated mainly in northern India. Many believe that the festival marks the passing of the winter solstice.

Key Points:

• Lohri is an official holiday in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir.
• The festival is celebrated in Delhi and Haryana, but it is not a gazetted holiday.
• It falls in the month of Paush, and in most years, it falls around 13 January of the Gregorian calendar.
• It is celebrated the day before the Maghi festival of Makar Sankranti.
• Lohri falls in the month of Paush and is set by the solar eclipse of the Punjabi lunisolar calendar and for many years is about 13 January of the Gregorian calendar.

History / background:

• Historical references to Lohri are cited by European tourists visiting the Lahore Darbar of Maharaja Ranjit Singh as Wade visited Maharaja in 1832.
• Captain Mackeson made another reference of Maharaja Ranjit Singh delivering suits of clothing and large sums of money as a reward for Lohri's day in 1836.
• Lohri's celebration of making a great fire by night is also noted in the royal court in 1844.

Celebrations:

• The festival is celebrated by lighting fires, eating festive meals, dancing, and collecting gifts.
• Most North Indians often have Lohri private ceremonies in their homes. Lohri rituals are performed, accompanied by special Lohri songs.
• Singing and dancing are an important part of celebrations.