Lohri 2024 is here and we can't wait to indulge our winter food cravings by gorging on all dishes of the delicious festive fare. As we all know, the festival of Lohri is all about getting together with family around the holy bonfire post-sunset, dancing to the beats of the dhol, and enjoying a scrumptious feast. Foods like til (black sesame seeds), gajak, gur (jaggery), peanuts and popcorn are fed to the fire as part of the harvest ritual. This festival is celebrated with great fervour across India, even though it is typical to Punjabis. Lohri is linked to Winter Solstice - the shortest day and the longest night. It, in fact, marks the end of winter and the onset of spring.
Lohri 2024: Here are 8 things you probably didn't know about Lohri:
1. The Meaning of Tilohri
Lohri actually comes from the word ‘Tilohri' i.e. ‘til' meaning sesame and ‘rorhi' meaning jaggery/gur. Eventually, the festival was just referred to as Lohri. These two traditional foods are associated with the festival as “they are both believed to cleanse the body from within, bringing renewed energy for the new year,” says Dr. Manoj K. Ahuja. That's why foods like jaggery, gajak, til ki chikki are offered to the fire as a way of paying gratitude to nature's bounty, and also eaten on this day.
Also Read: 11 Authentic Lohri Food Recipes
Lohri 2024: Gajak and til ki chikki - staples during Lohri
2. The Significance of the Bonfire
Wondering why the act of feeding food to the holy fire assumes great significance on Lohri? The bonfire symbolises Lord Agni, the God of Fire. That's why people offer various kinds of food items to the fire to seek blessings, prosperity and happiness from Lord Agni.
Lohri 2024: The holy fire assumes great significance on Lohri.
3. Walking Around the Fire
It is believed that if one walks around the fire on Lohri day, one can expect miracles to happen. It bears a message that is universal in every sense. Many devotees of Lord Agni thus believe that their prayers and concerns will receive an immediate answer, and things will change for the better.
4. Exchange of Gifts
Lohri is also the time when gifts are exchanged among family members as a token of love and respect. “Every year, one day before Lohri, I go and give gifts to my daughter-in-law's family. This includes gifts, a basket of fruits, sagan, gur, dry fruits, revri, gajak, mithai, the works,” says Home-Chef Subhash Bala Kher.
Also Read: Lohri: This Makki Ki Roti Toastie Can Make Your Lohri Party A Hit
Lohri 2024: People exchange gifts (revdi, gajak, chikki) on Lohri as a token of love and respect.
5. Farmer's New Year of Harvest
Lohri marks the new year for Punjabi farmers, bringing health and prosperity to all. Every year on Lohri day, the farmers gather in Punjab to pray and show gratitude for their crops before the harvesting begins and pray to Lord Agni to bless their land with abundance. Some even chant “Aadar aye dilather jaye” i.e. “may honour come and poverty vanish” and sing other popular folk songs while moving around the fire.
6. Indulging in Winter Foods
Since Lohri celebrates the harvest of winter crops, it is customary to eat winter foods on this day. The traditional Punjabi dinner includes sarson da saag and makki di roti, til ki barfi, gur ki roti, makhane ki kheer. It doesn't get any better than that!
Sarson ka saag along with makke ki roti - the quintessential meal
7. Goodbye Winters
The festival of Lohri bids goodbye to the cold gloomy winters and marks the beginning of bright sunny days ahead. The following day is celebrated as Makar Sankranti where people usually greet each other with the words, “Til-gul ghya ani gud gud bola” that literally translates to ‘eat jaggery and sesame seeds and speak words”.
Lohri 2024: Sesame and jaggery chikki
8. The Importance of First Lohri for Brides
“The first Lohri a bride celebrates with her husband's family is considered very special. The newlywed couple are presented with gifts and showered with love,” adds Home-Chef Subhash Kher. As a new member of the family, the bride performs Punjabi gidda around the fire and receives blessings from elders. It is believed that the bride will bring success to her new family through her own good fortune.