Bonfires, folk songs and for the winter harvest, with sweets and popcorn shared round the fire.
The story
- Punjab's winter bonfire night, part of the farming year.
- People circle the fire and throw in sesame, jaggery, popcorn and , with folk songs and dancing.
What happens
- Lohri night
Bonfire night
Families and neighbours gather around a bonfire at dusk with songs, and sweets.
Best places to see it
What to eat
Sarson da saag with makki di roti
Slow-cooked mustard greens with maize-flour roti, butter and jaggery: the Lohri meal.
Homes and dhabas across Punjab in winter.
Rewri and gajak
Sesame and jaggery sweets, crunchy and wintry, eaten around the bonfire.
Sweet shops in Punjab in January.
Peanuts and popcorn
Thrown into the Lohri bonfire as thanks for the harvest, then shared.
At every Lohri bonfire.
Know before you go
- Calendars can differ by a day; most gatherings are on the evening before .
- Dress warmly; it is peak winter in Punjab.
- Sweets and popcorn are offered into the fire and shared.
Organised by
Community celebration
There's no single organiser. Local committees, temples and families make it happen, so welcome and etiquette matter more than tickets.