Come Lohri 2024 and you shall think about the bonfires, bhangra, food, and traditional clothes. This harvest festival is widely celebrated in Punjab, which also marks the conclusion of the winter season. The main attraction of this festival is the Rabi crop harvesting held in the state. 

Lohri is considered to be the New Year for Punjabi farmers as it is the beginning of harvesting for which they worship Lord Agni to bless their land with plenitude. Lohri festival is referred to as Makar Sankranti 2024 in other parts of India. 

Lohri 2024: Date and Time

The date of Lohri 2024 is Jan 13, 2024, and the timing for Lohri Sankranti Moment is 08:57 PM.

For Puja Timing See Best Choghadiya Muhurat

About Lohri Festival

Lohri celebration cannot be achieved without lighting up the bonfire. People of all ages and genders join in folk songs on this occasion. Dance competitions or singing ceremonies are also organized during the Lohri festival to enhance it even more. For the newlyweds, participating in rituals and seeking blessings from their elders on this festival is considered quite auspicious.

Lohri 2024: History

Lohri celebration is related to well-known mythology. It is observed to commemorate the achievement of the dignified and fearless man, Dulla Bhatti, for saving the two girls, Sundri and Mundri, from the slavery of the Mughals. He not only saved the girls but also arranged for their marriages. This achievement became the Lohri celebration reason. At first, the Lohri festival was celebrated in the foothills of the Himalayas, where winters are colder than in the rest of the Arabian peninsula. The ritual of the bonfire has been followed by Hindus and Punjabis since then, wherein they gather to socialize, and also sing and dance together. This continues not only for a week, but Punjabi Lohri lasts until the end of the month, which is also the time of the winter solstice.

Significance of Lohri festival 

The winter solstice comes to an end on Lohri, and the movement of the Sun towards the north begins. After Makar Sankranti, that is, the day after this festival, the nights become shorter, and the days get longer. In short, the Lohri celebration reason is all about welcoming and celebrating the arrival of warmer weather, represented by the bonfire. Thus, individuals get a chance to wish 'Happy Lohri’ and enjoy the auspicious day with their loved ones. From this day on, farmers start harvesting the crop. People also recite ancient mantras so they can feel the warmth of the Sun during the chilly winter days. There is a belief that the Sun could accept your prayers if you recite these mantras. 

Know About: Purnima Vrat

Lohri Celebration

The people of North India do not just greet 'Happy Lohri' but make it fun too. The best thing about Lohri festival is that it is a grand celebration. From songs, dance, and gatherings, to the finest of dresses and jewelry, the happy Lohri in Punjabi, especially, will seem like a marriage happening all over the state.

The Lohri festival, in which state it is observed, marks its footsteps at many places 10-15 days beforehand. We can also say it is celebrated throughout the month. The girls and boys start the preparation by getting the logs for the bonfire. Additionally, they gather products like grains and jaggery, which are sold, and the earnings are sometimes shared among the community. 

People sing, dance, and toss food items like popcorn, puffed rice, popcorn, and others around it once the bonfire is ignited. These offerings are all presented to God to seek his blessings.

Know About: Amavasya Vrat Dates

Lohri 2024: Fact Check

Let us know some facts about Lohri festival -

• Just like Christmas, the festival of the winter solstice is what Lohri Meaning is, however, due to the seasonal differences, it arrives late.
• After Lohri, the days become longer and nights shorter. Hence, on the day of Lohri, all the rituals and festivities are kept after sunset.
• As per a common belief, the Punjabi Lohri is believed to have been named after Goddess Lohri, the sister of Holika. Another reason to call it a Lohri festival, in which state it is celebrated, is the combination of til(sesame) and rohri (jaggery) consumed by everyone on this day.
• On the Lohri festival, an important ritual of the revenue collection of the winter crops is held. It further marks the beginning of the new financial year.

Endnote

Grand celebrations, 'Happy Lohri' wishes, socializing, dancing, singing and a lot of fun are what we can consider as the Lohri meaning. In case you wish to know about how the change of Sun’s direction on the Lohri festival will impact your charts, call our astrology expert now and get the details. As the festival is already around the corner, we wish you and your family, 'A very Happy Lohri!'