Meaning
As per some stories, the word Lohri has come from the term 'loh', which means a big iron griddle or tava, used for making chapattis for community feasts. According to another tale the word is originated from ‘Loi’, who was the wife of reformer Kabir Das.
History
The origin of the festival can be traced back from the tale of Dulla Bhatti, who was a famous legendary hero of Punjab and led a rebellion against Mughal emperor Akbar. Due to his acts of bravery, he became a hero for the people of Punjab and almost every Lohri song has words to express gratitude to him.
Significance
The festival of Lohri holds great significance as it marks the harvest of the rabi crops and the end of winter days. The people worship the sun and the fire and thank them for the good harvest. The day is observed by all communities with different names.
The first Lohri is considered very auspicious for a new bride and a newborn baby, as it marks fertility. The festival also holds great importance for farmers.
How Lohri is celebrated
Traditionally Lohri is celebrated by lighting a huge bonfire in the yard after the rabi crops are chopped. Small idols of Lohri goddess are made with cattle dung and place beneath the fire.
The bonfire is lit at sunset and people donning traditional attires, circle around it and throw sesame seeds, jaggery, and rewaries in it. They sit around the fire and sing and dance till the fire dies out.
By this way they pray to the fire god, to bless their land with abundance and prosperity. Following this people exchange greetings and gifts with their friends and family members.
Sugarcane products such as gajak, jaggery are an important part of Lohri celebrations, as these are made from the crops harvested in the month of January. Apart from this til, peanuts, and popcorn are also distributed among the people as prasad (offerings made to god). Makki ki roti and sarson ka saag is served in dinner.