Go To:  Index File

Lohri celebrated in North

          Jammu/Agra: The harvest festival called Lohri was celebrated in northern India with great fervour on Saturday. In Jammu, people thronged markets to buy dry fruit, popcorn, seasame seed and molasses, which are used as "Lohri" offering. "It is a festival of brotherhood between Hindus, Sikhs and other communities and we all celebrate it with fun," said Shivkumar, a customer. "The festival, first in the year, is celebrated in the northern belt. People come to buy Lohri offerings which they exchange among themselves and our business also picks up," said Raj Kumar, a shopkeeper. Inherently a festival of Punjabi community, Lohri is enjoyed by people of other communities as well. "The festivities are being held for the Punjabi migrants staying in Mathura to mark their festival so that they do not feel out of place," said Joginder, a participant in Agra. Huge bonfires are lit on the day, which is also the eve of Makar Sankranti. Sweets, sugarcane and rice are thrown in the bonfires, with friends and relatives surrounding it. The following day, known as Sankrant, is celebrated as "Maghi" (Spring season), according to the Hindu calendar. The festival is known by various names in different parts of the country. While it is Makar Sakranti in parts of north and north- west India, it is celebrated as "Pongal" in the southern states. The festival of Makar Sankrant traditionally coincides with the beginning of the Sun's northward journey when it enters the Hindu zodiac sign of Makar (Capricorn). For peasants, Lohri marks the beginning of a new financial year as on this day, they settle the division of their yield of the land between themselves and the tillers.

Amritsar: Devouts took dip in the sacred tank of the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Saturday morning, on the occasion of the harvest festival of Lohri. Devotees offered prayers for the well-being of their loved ones and participated in the early morning prayers at the gurdwara. "Today, the "raag" (hymns) of Vasant (Spring season) would be sung at the holy Harmandir Sahab (Golden Temple). This would continue for two months," said Gyani Jagtar Singh, the Chief Priest of the Golden Temple. Huge bonfires are lit on the day, which is also the eve of Makar Sankranti. The following day, which is Sankrant, is celebrated as "Maghi" (Spring season), according to the Hindu calendar.
- Jan 13, 2007

Previous File                            Current File