Lohri is a Punjabi folk festival celebrated in mid-January that marks the end of deep winter and welcomes longer, warmer days — traditionally tied to the harvest of winter crops. It's a night of bonfires, food, music, and community.
When is Lohri?
Lohri is celebrated on January 13th each year, the night before Maghi. It falls around the winter solstice period and signals that the coldest days are passing.
How is Lohri celebrated?
The heart of Lohri is the bonfire. Families and neighbors gather around it after dark, tossing in offerings like popcorn, sesame seeds, jaggery, and rewari while singing traditional songs. People circle the fire, exchange sweets, and dance — Bhangra and Giddha are common.
What does it symbolize?
Lohri celebrates warmth, abundance, and gratitude for the harvest. The bonfire represents the return of longer days and the sun's growing strength. It's also traditionally associated with prosperity and new beginnings — families often mark a baby's or newlywed couple's first Lohri with special celebration.
The folk songs of Lohri
Lohri songs often reference Dulla Bhatti, a folk hero remembered for protecting the vulnerable — woven into the festival's storytelling and sung around the fire.
The spirit of the day
At its core, Lohri is about community: gathering in the cold, sharing food and warmth, and welcoming brighter days together. It's one of the coziest, most communal nights of the Punjabi year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lohri a religious festival?
It's primarily a cultural and seasonal harvest festival celebrated across Punjab, rather than a strictly religious observance.
What foods are eaten at Lohri?
Traditional treats include rewari, gajak, popcorn, peanuts, and sesame-and-jaggery sweets, often alongside seasonal dishes like sarson da saag and makki di roti.
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