The Lohri festival, a significant celebration in North India, particularly among Sikhs and Punjabis, is slated for January 14, 2024. An eagerly anticipated occasion, Lohri is observed with fervour each January, a day before Makar Sankranti, marking the traditional welcome of the new crop and the diminishing winter cold. Astrologically, Makar Sankranti signals the transition of the Sun from Dakshinayan to Uttarayan, with Lohri celebrating the preceding night.
Gaurav Dixit, an astrologer from Uttar Pradesh’s Soron town, shared insights into the festival’s auspicious date and significance with Local18. According to the calendar, Lohri will be celebrated on January 14, 2024, given that Makar Sankranti falls on the 15th. The auspicious time of Pradosh Kaal Lohri is scheduled from 5:34 pm to 8:12 pm on this day.
For the Sikh community, especially farmers, Lohri holds great importance. On this day, there is a customary worship of the Sun God and Fire God. Farmers express gratitude to God and seek a bountiful harvest. Gaurav Dixit notes that farmers traditionally commence their crop harvesting activities on Lohri. Additionally, women participate by offering prayers for happiness and prosperity, accompanied by traditional folk songs.
Lohri’s origins are steeped in folklore. One narrative recounts Prajapati Daksh’s disapproval of the marriage between Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati. Daksh organised a grand Yagya but deliberately excluded Lord Shiva and Sati from the invitation list. Sati, eager to attend, sought Shiva’s guidance, who cautioned her against going without an invitation. Despite Shiva’s advice, Sati insisted on attending and, upon witnessing derogatory remarks about Shiva, immolated herself in the Yagya Kund. The festival of Lohri commemorates this poignant event.
As families gather around bonfires on Lohri night, they offer Revdi, Kheel, wheat, and peanuts to the fire, symbolizing wishes for a joyous life. The festival resonates with cultural and agricultural significance, embodying prayers for prosperity, gratitude, and the promise of warmer days ahead.
The festival embodies a cultural and agricultural significance, symbolising prayers for prosperity, gratitude, and the promise of warmer days ahead.
Comments
0 comment