The festival of Lohri hold a great significance as it marks the harvesting season in Punjab and the end of the winter season. The main event is making of a huge bonfire which is symbolic of the homage to the Sun God of bringing in warmth. Celebrated on 13th January every year, Lohri festivities are associated with harvesting of the Rabi crops. There is a special significance attached to the celebration of Lohri as this day the sun enters the Rashi (zodiac) of Makara (Capricorn), is considered auspicious as it signifies a fresh start.
Lohri has a special significance for the agriculturists because it marks the beginning of a new financial year. This is because on this day they settle the division of the products of the land between themselves and the tillers. Lohri assumes greater significance if there has been a happy event in the family such a birth of child or a marriage in the past year. The family then plays host to relations and friends with music, dancing and food.
The festival of Lohri is linked to the atmospheric physical changes. Lohri celebrations generate a lot of joy as people sit around the bonfire, praying for prosperity and offering peanuts and beaten rice to the burning bonfire. The significance of this to praise the sun for giving us all we need especially the farmers for their crops. Fire sanctifies our endeavor for a good life on the one hand and destroys evil spirits on the other.
