There are many origins of Lohri:
Main theme of Lohri :
- The belief that Lohri is the cultural celebration of the winter solistice
- According to folk lore, in ancient times Lohri was celebrated on the eve of winter solstice day.
- It is for this reason that people believe day light is meant to increase from the day after Lohri when the sun starts its northward journey.
- Accordingly, the day after Lohri is celebrated as Maghi Sangrand from when the days are meant to start getting longer.
- People believe nights gradually shorten "by the grain of one sesame seed" once the winter solstice passes.
Bonfire:
- A key feature of Lohri is the bonfire.
- Lighting of the fire has been common in winter solstice festivals throughout time and the world.
- It signifies the return of longer days.
- The bonfire is an ancient tradition,forming a key part of Lohri traditions.
Lohri and harvest festival:
- Cut sugarcane
Semisolid sugar cane juice drying in another pan for preparation of Jaggery.
Lohri is traditionally associated with the harvest of the rabi crops.The traditional time to harvest sugarcane crops is January and therefore, Lohri is seen by some to be a harvest festival.
- Food
Punjabi Sarson da Saag and Makki di roti, radish, Jaggery (Gur), ground nuts (peanuts), Sesame seeds (til).
It is traditional to eat Gajak, Sarson da saag with Makki di roti, radish, ground nuts and jaggery. The tradition to eat saag on Lohri and Maghi has been ongoing since time immemorial.It is also traditional to eat "til rice" which is made by mixing jaggery, sesame seeds and rice.
Other legends of the origin of Lohri festival:
- Some people believe that Lohri has derived its name from Loi, the wife of Saint Kabir.
- There is a legend amongst some people that Lohri comes from the word 'loh', which means the light and the warmness of fire.
- Lohri is also called lohi in rural Punjab.
- According to another legend Holika and Lohri were sisters.
- While the former perished in the Holi fire, the latter survived with Prahlad. Eating of til (sesame seeds) and rorhi is considered to be essential on Lohri day.
- Perhaps the words til and rorhi merged to become tilorhi, which eventually got shortened to Lohri.
Other parts of India:
Lohri coincides with the festivals of :
- Pongal,
- Bhogali
- Bihu and
- Bhogi.
Festivals in other countries:
- Stonehaven Fireballs Ceremony 2003:
Winter solstice festivals have been incorporated into other festivals which are celebrated in various regions around the world. The festival of Yule is observed during Christmas celebrations whereby a log is burnt to commemorate the winter solstice.
- Hogmanay:
The festival of Hogmanay is celebrated on new year’s day. The fire festival of Stonehaven in Scotland is the direct descendant of lighting winter solstice bonfires. Another event is observed every 11 January when the flaming Clavie (a barrel full of staves) is carried round in Burghead and is wedged on the Doorie Hill. When it is burnt out, people take the smouldering embers to bring good luck for the coming year.
- Any festival with Punjabi origin seems incomplete without a song. There are many songs for this festival. But one of the famous songs of them is :
Lohri famous song:
Sunder mundriye ho!
Tera kaun vicharaa ho!
Dullah Bhatti walla ho!
Dullhe di dhee vyayae ho!
Ser shakkar payee ho!
Kudi da laal pathaka ho!
Kudi da saalu paata ho!
Salu kaun samete!
Chache choori kutti! zamidara lutti!
Zamindaar sudhaye!
Bade bhole aaye!
Ek bhola reh gaya!
Sipahee far ke lai gaya!
Sipahee ne mari itt!
Sanoo de de Lohri, te teri jeeve jodi!
(Cry or howl!)
Bhaanvey ro te bhaanvey pitt!
