Lohri
which is celebrated in north India on
Celebration
Lohri marks the passing of the winter
solstice, the day in the year with the least
daylight and the longest night. The festival
celebrates the end of winter and welcomes
the longer, lighter days ahead. It is also a
harvest festival where farmers give thanks
and prayers to the sun god Surya and seek
his blessing and protection for the coming
year. It is seen by Punjabi farmers as the
start of a new financial year.
Glossary
dhol: A double-ended
barrel shaped drum.
jaggery: A traditional
sweet made from boiling
down sugar cane juice.
Lohri is a popular Punjabi folk festival
Dulla Bhatti
During Lohri, tales of a medieval warrior
called Dulla Bhatti (also known as Dulha
Bhatti) are told. Legend says that he stole
from the rich to give to the poor. Many
Lohri songs feature Dulla Bhatti.
Did You Know…?
The first Lohri after a baby is born or
after a couple get married is seen as
particularly important.
or around the 13th January each year.
It is celebrated primarily by Hindus
and Sikhs.
Lohri Traditions
• Children visit local houses asking for
Lohri gifts, usually money, sweets or
jaggery.
• Huge bonfires are lit in honour of the
Hindu god of fire, Agni.
• People wear colourful clothes and meet
up with friends and relatives to sing
songs and dance to music played on
dhols.
• Foods, such as puffed rice, popcorn
and sesame seeds, are thrown onto the
bonfire as an offering to the gods.
• People exchange good wishes and gifts.
• After the bonfire dies down, people
share a feast together.
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Lohri Quiz 3. Who is Dulla Bhatti?
6. Why are bonfires lit during Lohri?

a. because people are cold

b. to celebrate the god Agni

a. a rich man who stole money
c. because it is dark
b. a medieval warrior
d. to cook food
c. a sun god
1. Why is Lohri celebrated? Circle two
answers. d. the Hindu god of fire
7. What other folktale reminds you of
the story Dulla Bhatti? Why?
a. It celebrates the beginning of winter,
4. In which month is Lohri celebrated?
b. It welcomes the longer days ahead
a. March
and the end of winter.
b. January
c. Farmers give thanks and prayers for
their harvest. c. December

d. People celebrate having money. d. February

2. What is a dhol? 5. Name two Lohri traditions. 8. Why do you think farmers pray to
Surya and seek his blessings and
a. a drum a. exchanging well wishes
protection?
b. a sweet b. wearing colourful clothes
c. a song c. getting married
d. a story d. visiting schools and asking for gifts

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Lohri Quiz 6. Why are bonfires lit during Lohri?

a. because people are cold

Answers
3. Who is Dulla Bhatti?
b. to celebrate the god Agni
a. a rich man who stole money
c. because it is dark
b. a medieval warrior
d. to cook food
c. a sun god
1. Why is Lohri celebrated? Circle two
answers. d. the Hindu god of fire
7. What other folktale reminds you of
the story Dulla Bhatti? Why?
a. It celebrates the beginning of winter,
4. In which month is Lohri celebrated?
b. It welcomes the longer days ahead Pupils own answers.
a. March
and the end of winter.
b. January
c. Farmers give thanks and prayers 8. Why do you think farmers pray to
for their harvest. c. December Surya and seek his blessings and
d. People celebrate having money. d. February protection?

Pupils own answers.

2. What is a dhol? 5. Name two Lohri traditions.
a. a drum a. exchanging well wishes
b. a sweet b. wearing colourful clothes
c. a song c. getting married
d. a story d. visiting schools and asking for gifts

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