Lohri 2017: Harvest festival amid dance and bonfire marks end of winter

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When the sun changes its course, the festival of Lohri is celebrated. It marks the end of winter and the beginning of Magha.

Lohri is associated with the worship of the sun and fire. With time ceremonies and the ways of celebrations have varied from region to region but generally, it comprises of making a small image of the Lohri goddess with gobar (cattle dung), decorating it, kindling a fire beneath it and chanting its praises.

The main feature of Lohri is Bonfire for the celebrations. The festival that marks the end of long winter nights will be celebrated on January 13, 2017.

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Good portions of Rewri, Gajak and Peanuts were available and people were seen enjoying these popular ‘Lohri’ items, as they broke into interesting jigs to celebrate the festival. (Image: Getty)

Traditionally, Lohri festival celebrates the onset of the harvest season in Punjab and is celebrate to offer thanks to God for the crops before they begin harvesting them. (Image: Getty)

It is also believed that Lohri night is the longest night of the year and according to the Lunar calendar, marks the winter solstice.

Til (sesame) and rorhi (jaggery) are eaten as traditional festive foods. The words til and rorhi together make ‘tilorhi’, which eventually got rechristened to Lohri, it is believed. (Image: Getty)

According to folklore, the flames of the fire are known to carry messages to the sun which is why the day after Lohri is warm and sunny bringing an end to “gloomy” winter days. (Image: Getty)