Lohri is a significant and joyous festival celebrated with immense enthusiasm, especially among the Sikh and Hindu communities in Punjab and Haryana. The festivities are marked by vibrant celebrations, including lighting bonfires, singing traditional folk songs, and indulging in festive foods. Also referred to as Lohadi or Lal Loi, Lohri is observed on the day preceding Makar Sankranti.
Beyond being a festival, Lohri holds a deeper significance as a cultural event. It serves as a unifying force, bringing people together as they partake in preparing delightful food. The celebration fosters a sense of harmony and invokes wishes for prosperity for all involved.
Is Lohri 2024 on January 13 or January 14?
This year, there seems to be uncertainty surrounding the date for Lohri, with debates over whether it should be observed on January 13 or 14. According to Drik Panchang, Lohri is officially scheduled for celebration on Sunday, January 14, 2024. This implies that Makar Sankranti is expected to occur on Monday, January 15, 2024.
Lohri 2024: Significance
Lohri, a Hindu festival, is a celebration of fertility, abundance, and the zest for life. The occasion is dedicated to honouring a prosperous crop harvest and expressing gratitude to the gods for their blessings. The offerings presented to the fire during Lohri signify deep respect and appreciation, while the fire itself serves as a symbol of the strength and energy of the Sun.
Lohri 2024: Puja Samagri
During Lohri, people illuminate bonfires using wood and cow dung cakes, symbolising a sacred commemoration either in open spaces or outside their homes. The ritual involves making offerings, including sesame seeds, jaggery, gajak, rewri, and peanuts, to the roaring fire. Participants also perform parikrama, circling the fire as part of the festivities.
Lohri 2024: Shubh Muhurat/Puja Timings
The puja timings for this year’s festival, according to Drik Panchang, are as follows:
- Tritiya Tithi (up to 07:59 AM) January 14, 2024.
- Chaturthi Tithi (up to 04:59 AM) January 15, 2024.
- Brahma Muhurta (Auspicious Timings): 05:27 AM to 06:21 AM.
- Abhijit Muhurta (Auspicious Timings): 12:09 PM to 12:51 PM.
Lohri 2024: Rituals
Lohri, a harvest festival, is intricately linked with the agricultural cycle of crop sowing and harvesting. It marks the transition from longer nights to warmer days, symbolizing the changing seasons.
This day is dedicated to celebrating agricultural prosperity, and prayers are extended to the Sun God (Surya Devta) and Fire God (Agni) for a fruitful harvest in the upcoming season.
Families come together around bonfires, offering sesame seeds, gur (jaggery), and popcorn to the God of fire. People also dance around the fire on dhol beats.
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