Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 13: Lohri was celebrated with traditional fervour and customary rituals, here today, along with other parts of the country.
Bonfires, eating festive foods, ground nuts, dry fruits etc and dancing on the drum beats amid Lohri songs besides distributing gifts marked the winter festival, which usually falls on 13th of January, every year.
Click here to watch video
Besides lighting of bonfire, singing and dancing formed an intrinsic part of the Lohri celebrations. People enjoyed the tradition of eating Gajak, ground nuts and jiggery and puffed rice. Heavy rush of customers was witnessed at shops and stalls selling ground nuts, puffed rice, etc.
During the day, children were seen going from door to door singing Lohri songs and they were given sweets and money as turning them back empty-handed is regarded inauspicious. In a few areas of the Jammu city, traditional Chajja dance and Hiran dance were also displayed by youth.
In the houses blessed with a recent marriage function or childbirth, Lohri celebrations were at a higher pitch of excitement. In some houses, children were seen wearing special garlands made of groundnuts, dry fruits and candies on Lohri day. The celebrations were also held in gatherings and at social level.
Lohri in Jammu is special because of Chajja making in which young children prepare a replica of peacock, which is known as Chajja. They carry this Chajja and then go from one house to other house celebrating Lohri.
The essential Lohri ritual bonfire was lit at sunset and people tossed sesame seeds, jiggery, sugar-candy and ‘Rewaries’ on the bonfire amid prayers and going around the fire, showing respect to the natural element of fire. Milk and water are also poured around the bonfire by the people to thank the Sun God and seeking his continued protection.
The significance and legends about this festival are many. Lohri marks the end of winter, and is a traditional welcome of longer days and the sun’s journey to the northern hemisphere by people in the northern region of the Indian subcontinent.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
