Stories, Legends, and Celebrations of Lohri
2025 is here, and we are already in the first week of January. This means a lot of things like getting new goals in life, getting active back again, and also getting ready for the festivities. Being an Indian is a delight in a lot of ways. One prime reason to always be happy as an Indian is that we have festivals throughout the year. Sometimes, we have multiple festivals in a month. The same is going to happen in January. The 13th and 14th of January marks multiple festivals and Lohri is one of them.
Lohri is a big festival in North India, majorly in Punjab. It is the festival of Punjabis or Sikhs and this community grandly celebrates this festival, everywhere in the world. It happens every year on January 13th and marks the end of winter. It also marks the beginning of the harvest time. This indicates that the fresh new harvest of the season is upon us. To celebrate, people gather around a big bonfire, eat traditional food, and enjoy folk music and dancing. Lohri also has many interesting stories and legends that explain its importance, making it a special and meaningful festival. Lohri, just like any other Indian festival is filled with fun, food, and family.
The great thing about each festival around the world is that they have special stories attached to them. Lohri also has so many stories, legends, and myths. A lot of people know about it already, but for the ones who do not know much, here we are for you! In this blog post, we are going to talk about Lohri in detail.
Hang in there with us till the very end because we are going to spill some interesting details about this fun festival for you all!
Dulla Bhatti – The Man and The Legend!
We have legends in every part of our country during every time phase. This is our superpower. There are so many underrated and less talked about legends who have done so much for us, our people, and our nation. One such person is Dulla Bhatti. Of course, not a lot of people know about him. So, let us tell you about who Dulla Bhatti is and why he is considered a legend.
Imagine a Punjab version of Robin Hood – that’s Dulla Bhatti for you! Yes, that is the best way to describe him. This legendary hero lived during the reign of Mughal emperor Akbar. He was known for his daring heists against them and for standing up for his people. But here’s the twist: Dulla Bhatti only stole from the rich to give to the poor. Yes, that’s why Robin Hood! He was like a superhero, rescuing girls from forced marriages to the Mughals and fighting for justice.
One of his most famous exploits is the story of two young girls he saved from being married off to a wealthy Mughal man. Dulla Bhatti swept in, rescued the girls, and arranged for them to marry men of their own choice. It was a bold move that earned him a permanent place in Punjab’s folklore. This was such a brave act that was required for women.
To this day, Dulla Bhatti’s bravery and kindness are celebrated in one of the most popular Lohri songs, “Sunder Mundriye”. In fact, this is one of the main Lohri songs that people still sing today and remember him. It’s a tribute to this hero who stood up for what was right and protected the oppressed. His legend lives on, inspiring generations to come! The song “Sunder Mundriye” tells the story of Dulla Bhatti’s bravery. It encourages young people to protect their sisters and daughters from harm and to stand up for what’s right.
Lohri and the Sun Sand – The Major Myth or Belief
Now, let us talk about the relevance of the Sun God with the Lohri festival. Well, the story that we are going to share is not a myth but a belief, so we will keep it that way. As the chill of winter starts to fade, Punjab welcomes the warmth of spring with open arms – and that’s exactly what Lohri is all about! This festive celebration marks the Sun God’s journey northward, bringing with it longer days, warmer weather, and a more abundant harvest. It’s no wonder the people of Punjab are thrilled to thank the Sun God for its life-giving warmth and light. This marks that the winters are now over, officially and spring is onto us.
As the harvest season kicks in, Punjab’s farmers reap the rewards of their hard work, gathering in crops like wheat, mustard, and sugarcane. All the new crops are grown. And what better way to celebrate than with a roaring bonfire, symbolizing the hope for the sun’s warmth to come? As the flames dance high, people gather around, offering prayers and traditional treats like sesame seeds, gajak, jaggery, rewri, peanuts, and popcorn – all foods that evoke the warmth and cosiness of the season. It’s a time for gratitude, celebration, and embracing the sunshine that makes it all possible! People show their gratitude towards cultivation as it is the supreme thing that keeps humankind going. Lori is about being grateful and celebrating it.
Story of Selfless Surajmal
The story of Surajmal is very touching. If you never heard of it, you are going to be so happy reading this. So, once upon a time, in the quaint villages of rural Punjab, a legendary love story blossomed between Surajmal and his sweetheart, Lohri. Their romance was the talk of the town at that time, and the villagers celebrated their love with open hearts. Everyone loved them. But little did they know, their happiness was short-lived.
Once, a harsh winter swept in, bringing with it bitter cold and famine. The villagers struggled to survive, and the once-lush fields lay barren. Everyone was struggling to the fullest. Surajmal, desperate to save his community, made a heartfelt vow to the Sun God by saying that he would sacrifice his own happiness for the prosperity of his people. Moved by his devotion, the Sun God smiled upon the land, warming the weather and bringing new life to their land. The villagers rejoiced as their crops began to flourish, and the festival of Lohri was born, honouring Surajmal’s selfless love for Lohri and his people.
Isn’t this one of the most heartwarming stories to read? We bet you didn’t know about this story for Lohri.
Holi and Demoness Holika – Their Relevance to Lohri
This legendary story is closely tied to the festival of Holi, but it also holds significance for Lohri. Holika, the sister of the demon king Hiranyakaship, had a superpower that made her fireproof. But, she used this gift for evil purposes. On her brother’s orders, Holika tried to burn her nephew Prahlad, a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu, by taking him into a blazing fire. Prahlad’s father was against his son for devoting his life to Lord Vishnu and not him. However, Lord Vishnu had other plans! He intervened, saving Prahlad and turning the tables on Holika. She was consumed by the very flames she thought would protect her.
The bonfire lit during Lohri symbolises the triumph of good over evil, just like in Holika’s story. The fire represents the destruction of negative forces, burning away darkness and making way for a bright, prosperous new year. As the flames dance high, they remind us of the power of good prevailing over evil. So, there is some connection here as well.
Punjab’s Ultimate Harvest Season
Imagine a time when the lush fields of Punjab lay barren, and the people faced the dark shadow of famine. The usually resilient farmers were worried sick, their livelihoods hanging by a thread. But then, something amazing happened! The farmers joined hands, lifted their faces to the sky, and prayed with all their hearts for a miraculous harvest. And, voilà! The gods smiled upon them, and the fields were transformed into a sea of golden wheat, swaying sugarcane, and vibrant mustard. This is how the combined happiness brought light to everyone’s life.
Overjoyed, the people lit bonfires that illuminated the night sky and danced with abandon, their feet stomping out a rhythm of gratitude. They thanked the gods, the Sun, and the land for their abundance, and in that moment, Lohri was born! This joyous celebration has been burning bright ever since, a testament to the power of hope, community, and the eternal cycle of growth and renewal.
So, this is one of the top reasons why so many special food is cooked during Lohri.
Conclusion
Lohri’s legends may be rooted in myth, but they add a pinch of magic to this vibrant celebration! It’s a time to revel in the riches of a bountiful harvest, welcome the sun’s warm rays, and cheer on good triumph over evil. All of our Indian festivals have something related to good over evil and we will always celebrate this fact.
As the bonfire crackles, people gather ’round to sing folk tunes, dance to the dhol’s infectious beats, and share in the joy of the season. You can also witness big dance parties or bonfire nights in many families. They call over their extended family and friends to celebrate this festival together and it is always very much fun. It’s a party that’s been burning bright for generations and one that will keep on sparkling for years to come! It is a delight to attend a Lohri party or celebration.
If we didn’t already mention, the food that is served during the Lohri celebrations is simply out of the world. This year, you can take one more resolution, and that is to be a part of every Indian festival, of every culture and experience it. It will be so much fun and your perspective will grow so much. You will always remember this year and you will be thankful as well.
2025 is here, and we are already in the first week of January. This means a lot of things like getting new goals in life, getting active back again, and also getting ready for the festivities. Being an Indian is a delight in a lot of ways. One prime reason to always be happy as…