LOHRI!!!

And it was that time of the year again! The cold weather and the chilly winds can not stop any Punjabi from celebrating Lohri!! And for me the plates full of popcorn and peanuts are the highlight. They make me excited like a six year old in a toy shop! I stuff my face with these goodies and happily enjoy the bonfire at my place with my family and the neighbours who always drop in for some fun. The beats of the Dhol, the peppy music and the general atmoshpere of excitement!! And when you have good food to go with it and some leftover crackers from Diwali, the whole thing becomes pure bliss!! * Big Smile*

And since today was Sunday and I had nothing good to do so I pestered my mom and the internet as to why we celebrate lohri!
Over time, people have associated Lohri to the tale of Dulla Bhatti. The central character of most Lohri songs is Dulla Bhatti,who lived in Punjab during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar. He was regarded as a hero in Punjab. Besides robbing the rich, he rescued girls being forcibly taken to be sold in slave market of the Middle East from the Sandal Bar region. He arranged their marriages to boys of their religion with rituals and provided them with dowries. So every other Lohri song has words to express gratitude to Dulla Bhatti.
Dulla Bhatti was a rebel whose lineage was of Bhatti Rajputs . His ancestors were the rulers of Pindi Bhattian in Sandal Bar area of present day Pakistan. He was a hero of all Punjabis and his var (life story) is available on the internet.
According to the Hindu calender Lohri falls in mid-January. The earth, farthest from the sun at this point of time, starts its journey towards the sun, thus ending the coldest month of the year, Paush, and announcing the start of the month of Magh and the auspicious period of Uttarayan. According to the Bhagawad Gita, Lord Krishna manifests himself in his full magnificence during this time. The Hindus 'nullify' their sins by bathing in the Ganges, and that is why the "Maha Kumbh" happens around this time.

A fun festival it is and I truly had a great time with my family!

The Crackers!! :)

Spreading the warmth!