Makara Sankranthi is celebrated for three days. The first day is Bhogi. Bhogi in North India is known as Lohri.  It is celebrated to mark the harvesting of winter (rabi) crops. The second day is Sankranthi which is dedicated to worshipping Surya (the Sun god), Varuna (the rain god) and Indra (king of gods). The third day is Kanuma which is dedicated to cleaning cows, farm animals, and farm equipment and also offering prayers to them for helping with a successful harvest season.

Lohri/Bhogi festival is celebrated on 14 January 2016. In South India Bhogi starts with Bhogi manta (Bonfire) in the early morning hours. People light a bonfire, offer prayers to fire god discarding outdated things and ideas and welcome new things and new ideas to prosper. In the evening Bommala Koluvu (arrangement of images of Gods, toys and dolls) is arranged at homes.

 Although, it is observed mainly in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, and nearby locations, its spirit can be felt all across India. Lohri is basically an agrarian celebration dedicated to fire (Agni).

What people do on the day of Lohri?

People make a huge bonfire in the harvested fields or in front of their doorways at the dusk. People surround the bonfire with family and friends and go around it throwing puffed rice, popcorn with other munchies. They believe that this will banish poverty, ward off evil spirits and bring prosperity in their lives. Lohri songs are common amongst people on this day. Elders give money, til (sesame), peanuts, jiggery and popcorn as tokens of love to the younger ones.

The festival is started with the embellishment of homes and preparation of Makki ki roti and Sarson ka saag (famous in Punjab and Haryana).

Lohri Song

The celebration is known for Lohri song as well. There is a mention of nature, winter and folk hero Dulha Bhatti in the song. It is believed that Dulha Bhatti was a robber who robbed rich people and helped poor ones. He used to save women and girls abducted forcibly and later arrange their marriage.

Below is the song that you can groove on or add in your play-list.

• Sunder mundriye ho!
• Tera kaun vicharaa ho!
• Dullah Bhatti walla ho!
• Dullhe di dhee vyayae ho!
• Ser shakkar payee ho!
• Kudi da laal pathaka ho!
• Kudi da saalu paata ho!
• Salu kaun samete!
• Chacha gali dese!
• Chache choori kutti! zamidara lutti!
• Zamindaar sudhaye!
• Bum Bum bhole aaye!
• Ek bhola reh gaya!
• Sipahee far ke lai gaya!
• Sipahee ne mari itt!
• Bhaanvey ro te bhaanvey pitt!
• Sanoo de de Lohri, te teri jeeve jodi!

This story originally appeared at – http://www.ourncr.com/blog/2015/12/30/if-you-dont-know-what-lohri-is-all-about-read-here-410.

Also read https://medium.com/@ourncr/if-you-don-t-know-what-lohri-is-all-about-read-here-9ccae3fa7ce6#.e5cz6ffst