Lohri, the bonfire festival, is celebrated in mid-January (on January 13) especially in the northern Indian states of Punjab, Haryana and parts of Himachal Pradesh. The festival celebrates the harvesting of the Rabi (winter) crops, and provides an opportunity for relaxation and enjoyment with traditional folk songs, music and dances.

In Punjab, the breadbasket of India, wheat is the main winter crop. It is sown in October and harvested in March or April. In January, the fields come alive with the promise of a golden harvest, and the farmers celebrate Lohri during this rest period before the big harvest.

According to the Hindu calendar, Lohri falls at a point in time when the coldest month of the year, Paush, ends and the month of Magh begins. It also marks the beginning of the auspicious period of Uttarayan (January 14 to July 14) during which, according to the Bhagawad Gita, Lord Krishna manifested himself in His full magnificence. Many Hindus 'nullify' their sins by bathing in the Ganges during this period.

In the morning, on Lohri day, children go from door to door singing and demanding the Lohri 'loot' in the form of money and eatables like til (sesame) seeds, peanuts, jaggery, and sweets like gajak and rewri. They sing in praise of Dulha Bhatti, a Punjabi 'avatar' of Robin Hood, who robbed the rich to help the poor.

In the evening, with the setting of the sun, huge bonfires are lit in the wheat fields and in the front yards of houses. People gather around (parikrama) the bonfires and throw puffed rice, popcorn and other munchies into the fire, shouting "Aadar aaye dilather jaaye" (May honor come and poverty be banished!), and singing popular folk songs. This represents a sort of prayer to Agni, the Fire God, so that He may bless the land with abundance and prosperity.

After the parikrama, friends and relatives meet to exchange greetings and gifts, and distribute prasad (offerings to God). The prasad comprises five main items: til, gajak, jaggery, peanuts, and popcorn. Winter savories are also served around the bonfire with the traditional dinner of makki-ki-roti (multi-millet hand-rolled bread) and sarson-ka-saag (cooked mustard herbs).

Bhangra dance by men begins after the offerings to the bonfire. Dancing continues late into the night with new groups joining in amid the rousing beat of drums. Traditionally, women do not join in the bhangra dance. They light a separate bonfire in their courtyard, orbiting it with the graceful gidda dance.

The day following Lohri is called 'Maghi', signifying the beginning of the month of Magh. According to Hindu belief, this is an auspicious day to take a holy dip in the river and to donate to charity. Sweet dishes (usually kheer) are prepared and served with sugar cane juice to mark the day.

Lohri is more than just a festival, especially for the fun-loving, sturdy, robust, energetic, enthusiastic and jovial people of Punjab. Lohri is symbolic of their love for celebrations and light-hearted flirtations, and their open exhibition of exuberance.

Lohri also celebrates fertility and the joy of life. In the event of the birth of a male child or a marriage in the family, this festival assumes a larger significance, and the host family arranges for a sumptuous feast and merry-making with the traditional bhangra dance, gidda and music. The first Lohri of a bride or a newborn baby is considered extremely important.

Nowadays, Lohri provides an opportunity for the community to take a break from the busy schedule. It is a time for getting together and sharing each other's company. In other parts of India, Lohri almost coincides with the festivals of Pongal and Makar Sankranti, which also communicate the same message of oneness, and celebrate the spirit of brotherhood, while thanking the Almighty for the bountiful life on earth.


Ref: http://hinduism.about.com/