5 Essentials to Celebrate the Lohri 2024

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Lohri is the beautiful festival celebrated in the Punjab as well as northern region of India. The festival marks the end of winters and welcome warm days. It is celebrated a night before Maghi (Makara Sakranti). Other regions of India also celebrates during this time but the festivals are name different like Pongal celebrated by Tamilians and Makar Sakranti celebrated in Gujarat. It denotes the happy spirit of Indian people which generate hope that the coming year will also be prosperous like the last year. So let’s know about the must required things to make the Lohri festival complete.

Bonfire

The first and the most important thing in this festival is bonfire. In villages, a huge bonfire is lit and all the neighbors gather at night to celebrate the festival. The traditional dance including Gidda and Bhangra is performed by youngster. In some places of Jammu, Hiran dance is performed.
In our childhood, a group of young and teenage boys and girls used to collect logs and eatables from neighborhood. The special song “Sundari Mundari Oye, Tera Kaun Vichara Oye” was also sung in each and every house. They used to bargain if a house gives less amount and smash clay pots and clay stove if not given enough money. The amount collected was distributed among the groups. However, the traditional has lost its identity after the modernization of society.

Popcorn or Fulle

Popcorn is a healthy snack prepared by putting some corns in furnace and when it's starting popping up it is collected to eat. Popcorn contains antioxidants and helps the body to fight diseases like cancer and heart diseases. When eating popcorn is not only traditional but also has health benefits, so why should we leave the chance to enjoy some pop corns with the family and friends.

Peanuts

As the festival is celebrated in winter, so eating peanuts before the bonfire will make you feel blessed. Some people also prepare garlands of peanuts, dry fruits and candies to be wear by children of the family. We used to eat countless number of peanuts while talking and celebrating at the time of our childhood.

Revri or Gajak

Revri is the sweet snack which is eaten during winter season. The Lohri celebration is the time of sugarcane harvest so its product gurh which is easily available in villages is used to make gajak and revri. Also, seasame seeds and gurh gives warmth to the body. So consuming this gives benefit to your health alongside being a tradition to eat during the celebration.

Sarson da Saag

Last, but not the least, is the tradition to eat Sarson da saag with Makki di roti. It is among the most popular traditionally Punjabi dishes. You must try the dish if you are in Punjab during winters. As saag is prepared only in winters by combining mustard leaves and spinach leaves, and mustard is a winter produce. If you are eating in this in a traditional house of Punjab, they will serve you with a spoonful of pure ghee to be poured in saag with radish. Surely, it will make you feel walking in paradise. Take some gur after the food which help you to digest this heavy meal.

As you know people of Punjab are fun-loving, helpful and gives humanity their first priority, so no need to shy, and it’s the time to celebrate. Let’s enjoy the festival without thinking Lohri is the festival of your state or not.