Lohri -Rohit Kumar Parmar
`Lohri Di Lakh Lakh Vadiyan' `लोहड़ी दी लाख लाख वदियाँ '
Pic Lohri 01 Bonfire
Lohri is a popular winter folk festival celebrated primarily in the areas of erstwhile Punjab (Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, Punjab, Rajasthan and Western UP), including in parts of Pakistani Punjab.
Lohri is observed on the night before Makar Sankranti also known as Maghi; Maghi Saaji or Magha Ra Saza (in Himachal Pradesh); Maghi Parva or Maghi Sankranti (in Bihar and Nepal). According to the lunisolar Vikram Calendar, Lohri falls in the month of Paush (पौष), the first month. It is one of the few festivals which falls on the same date every year (January 13).
At this time of the year there are celebrations for Makar Sankranti, Bhogi, Pongal, Bihu, Uttarayan symbolising unity in diversity and not a homogenous formation of one-size-fits all.
Lohri marks the traditional welcome of longer days and the Sun's journey to the northern hemisphere. It marks the passing of the winter solstice (the longest night of the year) and commencement of the waning of winter.
The festival’s origin can be traced back to the tales of Dulla Bhatti, a third generation rebel against Mughal emperor Akbar. Dulla Bhatti robbed the rich and also rescued poor Punjabi girls, who were forcibly sold in the slave market. The deeds of Dulla Bhatti, a form of social banditry are recounted in folklore, but not in `recorded history’. His valour is reflected in the most popular song `सुंदर मुंदरिए - हो’ (Sunder mundriye ho) as `दुल्ला भट्टी वाला-हो’.
The word Lohri is derived from two words til (sesame) and rorhi (jaggery), which are traditionally eaten during the festival to give warmth to the body. The terms til and rorhi together used to sound like 'tilohri' earlier in history, gradually changing to ‘Lohri’.
Lohri festival symbolising fertility is also considered auspicious especially for newlywed couples and parents with newborn babies, with `Pahli Lohri hai, `पहिलीलोहड़ीहै. People greet each other as `Lohri Di Lakh Lakh Vadiyan’.`लोहड़ीदीलाखलाखवदियाँ ’
Village folk gather around large, common bonfires to celebrate the passing of the winter solstice, a sign of assimilation of all sections of the society. They enjoy the warmth of burning logs of wood. The fire is lit with the adding of sesame (til), gur and jaggery, groundnut, (and products made from the them gajak, rewri, patti, laddo) and popcorn as offering, followed by dance and singing around the fire. People mix and exchange the same (til and gur and related products) with friends. Flames of the bonfire lit on the day of Lohri carry the messages and prayers of the people to the sun god to bring warmth to the planet to help crops grow/ripen.
Pic Lohri 02 Gajak, Patti, Moongphali
Around the bonfire there is Dhol (two sided drum) and Bhangra dance.
The next morning is an auspicious occasion for ritual bathing in ponds and rivers.
Rabi crop (the main crop) is getting ready for harvest as farmers look forward to a new season. Once the fire dies out, dinner includes favourites like makki di roti te sarson da saag (pancakes made of stone ground corn flour and mustard spinach dishes) and lassi (buttermilk). It also includes some/all the traditional Punjabi menu til ki barfi, gur ki roti, makhane ki kheer, panjiri, pinni, till laddoo, gondh ladoo.
Pic Lohri 03 Kheer
The most popular folk song on lohri sung from a few days before, while seeking contributions/donations for celebrating lohri is Sunder mundriye ho! (the folk song has variants)
Sunder mundriye ho
सुंदर मुंदरिए - हो
तेरा कौन विचारा-हो
दुल्ला भट्टी वाला-हो
दुल्ले ने धी ब्याही-हो
सेर शक्कर पाई-हो
कुडी दे बोझे पाई-हो
कुड़ी दा लाल पटाका-हो
कुड़ी दा शालू पाटा-हो
शालू कौन समेटे-हो
चाचा गाली देसे-हो
चाचे चूरी कुट्टी-हो
जिमींदारां लुट्टी-हो
जिमींदारा सदाए-हो
गिन-गिन पोले लाए-हो
बड़े भोले आये हो
इक पोला घिस गया हो
जिमींदार वोट्टी लै के नस्स गया हो
Sundar mundriye ho Tera kaun vicharaa ho
Dulla bhatti wala ho
Dulle di dhee vyayae ho
Ser shakkar payee ho
Kudi de bojhe paai ho
Kudi da laal pathaka ho
Kudi da saalu paatta ho
Salu kaun samite ho
chacha gaali desa ho
Chache choori kutti ho
zamidara lutti ho
Zamindaar sudhaye ho
Gin gin pole laaye ho
Bade bhole aaye ho
Ek ghis gaya ho
Zamindaar votti leke nass gaya ho
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