Lohri is a big celebration in Punjab, the state where I was born. Punjab is located 250 km north of the capital New Delhi. The state is known for, among other things, agriculture and the production of sporting goods, fresher air than the big cities, colorful costumes and a culture filled with warmth and generosity. Furthermore, there is a variety of gourmet dishes on offer, a few of which you may already know from Indian restaurants. It is said that if you are going to experience India at its best, attend a Punjabi wedding (it will be on the blog one day).
(Image borrowed from Google)
Lohri is a celebration of the winter solstice, where family and friends gather around a bonfire, dance, and eat popcorn, peanuts, and sesame seed crackers and molasses. Since it is quite cold in Punjab, it is common to light a bonfire. It can be a couple of minus degrees at its coldest, and then all of us in Norway know how cozy it is to have a fire with wood.
Celebrations are greatest in Punjab, due to the sugarcane harvest at that time. With the harvest, the farmers received wages for the entire crop, which was celebrated with partying and dancing all night long. The day after Lohri, new projects with new opportunities were started, it became like a celebration of the new year for the farmers. Children go in groups from house to house, sing traditional verses and are given peanuts, popcorn, crackers etc. like Christmas presents here at home in the old days. Most people also give money, those who do not give money are jokingly scolded with verses and descriptions as stingy and with little heart.
All in all, it is a very lively celebration with walking around the bonfire, dancing with clapping and drumming. In Norway there is a small community of Indians, including from Punjab, the celebration is moved to the nearest weekend in the temples and families come together to sing and dance together and eat the traditional goodies. Bonfires are made in the snow and most of all the little children are looking forward to lots of extra pocket money, even if few can recite the traditional verses they get the experience of this jovial festival.
