Punjab Newsline,Festival:
Special festive atmosphere seen across Punjab, Haryana and North India with bonfires, folk songs and traditional delicacies
The festival of Lohri is being celebrated today with great enthusiasm and traditional fervour across various parts of Punjab, Haryana and North India. The festival is considered a symbol of welcoming the new harvest and marking the seasonal transition. Celebrated a day before Makar Sankranti, Lohri holds special significance for farmers and rural communities. Since early morning, a festive buzz has been visible in both villages and cities.
On the occasion of Lohri, bonfires were lit in homes, neighbourhoods and open grounds, where people gathered to sing traditional folk songs and perform bhangra and giddha. Offerings such as rewari, peanuts, sesame seeds, jaggery and popcorn were thrown into the bonfire, which are believed to symbolise prosperity and good fortune. People of all age groups, from children to the elderly, participated enthusiastically in the celebrations.
Urban areas also witnessed special Lohri events. Cultural programmes were organised at several places, while residential societies and colonies celebrated the festival collectively by lighting bonfires. Markets saw a rise in the sale of rewari, gajak, sesame laddoos and peanuts. Sweet shops and stalls selling traditional festive items remained crowded throughout the day.
Lohri is also considered special for newly married couples and families with newborns. In many households, the first Lohri was celebrated in a grand manner, with relatives and friends extending greetings and presenting gifts. Traditional songs were sung to share joy and happiness on this occasion.
The administration has made adequate security and law-and-order arrangements to ensure that people can celebrate the festival peacefully. Overall, the Lohri festival today reflects a spirit of social harmony, cultural traditions and collective joy, as people from all walks of life come together to celebrate this traditional festival.