Lohri in India
January 13 · Level 9 · #264 of 2238
Lohri is a winter festival of northern India, especially associated with Punjab. Rooted in the agricultural calendar, it brings families and neighbors together around a fire to share food, songs and hopes for a prosperous year.
How it is celebrated: evening bonfires become gathering places for singing and dancing, with sesame seeds, popcorn and other foods offered to the flames. Children sing from door to door in exchange for sweets, nuts and small gifts. Newlyweds and families with a new baby often receive special attention.
Many Lohri songs celebrate Dulla Bhatti, a hero of Punjabi folklore. In the stories, he helps vulnerable young women and arranges their marriages.