Lohri 2027लोहड़ी

When is Lohri?

Observed on Eve of Makar Sankranti (Paush month end). Dates follow the Panchang for New Delhi and can differ by a day in other places — check the Panchang for your city.

What Lohri means

Lohri is celebrated on the night before Makar Sankranti, at the end of the coldest part of winter, mainly in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu. Families and neighbours gather around a bonfire at dusk, offer sesame, jaggery, popcorn and peanuts to the fire, circle it, and sing and dance late into the night.

It is a festival of the harvest — of sugarcane and the ripening rabi crops — and of thanks to Agni and the Sun as the days begin to lengthen. A family's first Lohri after a wedding or the birth of a child is celebrated with special joy and gifts.

Children go from house to house singing Lohri songs and collecting sweets and money, and the evening ends with sarson da saag and makki di roti.

The story of Lohri

The best-known Lohri song, "Sunder mundriye ho!", remembers Dulla Bhatti, a Punjabi hero of Mughal times who robbed the rich to help the poor and rescued girls being taken to be sold, arranging their marriages and giving them dowries. The call-and-response song is sung around every Lohri fire.

The bonfire itself goes back to the ancient worship of Agni: offerings into the fire carry the people's thanks for the harvest and their prayers for the coming year.

Lohri puja vidhi, step by step

How Lohri is celebrated.

What you need

• Wood and cow-dung cakes for the bonfire
• Til, gur, rewri, gajak, popcorn and peanuts
• Sweets to share
• Dhol for music

When to do the puja

In 2027 Lohri falls on the evening of Thursday, 14 January, the eve of Makar Sankranti (15 January). The bonfire is lit at dusk. See the Panchang for your city.

Steps

1. Gather. Neighbours and family gather in an open space as the sun sets.
2. Light the fire. Light the bonfire with a short prayer.
3. Offer. Throw til, gur, popcorn and peanuts into the fire and circle it.
4. Sing and dance. Sing Lohri songs and dance bhangra and giddha around the fire.
5. Share. Share rewri, gajak and peanuts, and enjoy a festive dinner.

Offerings & food: Til, gur, rewri, gajak, popcorn, peanuts; sarson da saag and makki di roti for dinner

Mantras for Lohri

Lohri across India

Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Delhi; Punjabis worldwide

Punjab and Haryana

Every village and colony lights bonfires; the first Lohri of a bride or a newborn is celebrated with feasts and gifts.

Himachal and Jammu

Lohri (Lohdi) bonfires with folk songs; in Jammu, the Chajja dance by children with decorated peacock replicas.

Punjabis worldwide

Celebrated in Canada, the UK and beyond with community bonfires and bhangra.

Prayers to recite

Do’s and don’ts

Frequently asked questions