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Festival Profile

Lohri

Punjabi winter bonfire festival marking the end of winter solstice.

All festivals

Lohri is a Punjabi winter harvest festival, marked by a bonfire, singing, dancing and the sharing of sesame and jaggery sweets.

Stories behind the festival

The bonfire of harvest

Lohri celebrates the end of the winter solstice and the harvest of rabi crops. The bonfire honours the Sun's northward return, and folk songs recall the generosity of the bandit-hero Dulla Bhatti.
Punjab folk tradition

Why we celebrate

Lohri is a Punjabi winter harvest festival, marked by a bonfire, singing, dancing and the sharing of sesame and jaggery sweets.
Punjabi harvest tradition

When

Lohri is celebrated on 13 January, the eve of Makar Sankranti.

Since when it is followed

Lohri has been a Punjabi harvest festival for centuries.
Punjab regional tradition

Who celebrates / for whom

Celebrated by Punjabis and communities in North India.

Origin

The origin is the winter solstice harvest and the end of the cold season, with the bonfire symbolising the Sun's return and warmth.
Punjab regional tradition

Key deities

The Sun God is honoured for the harvest; folk legend of Dulla Bhatti is associated with the festival.

How to celebrate

Light a bonfire in the evening, throw sesame, jaggery and puffed rice into it, sing folk songs, dance the bhangra, and share til-gul sweets.

Rituals & offerings

Bonfire, offering of sesame and jaggery to the fire, folk songs and bhangra, and til-gul sweets.

Key facts

Lohri is celebrated the night before Makar Sankranti.
Regional tradition