🔥 Lohri Vrat Katha
The story
In the time of the Mughal emperor Akbar there was a rebel hero in Punjab named Dulla Bhatti — who took from the rich and gave to the poor. In those days girls of poor homes were seized and sold; Dulla rescued two sisters, Sundri and Mundri, lit a fire in the forest, gave them away in marriage himself and offered jaggery and sugar as shagun.
That same fire, that jaggery and that song — 'Sundar Mundriye, ho! Tera kaun vichara, ho! Dulla Bhatti wala, ho!' — are repeated every Lohri. In another telling Lohri is linked to 'Lohi', the sister of Holika who stood by the devotee Prahlad; for farmers it marks the end of the Paush cold and the welcome to Uttarayan.
Why this katha — the significance
Lohri gives thanks to earth, sun and fire for the new crop (sugarcane, mustard, groundnut) and the rabi sowing; sesame and jaggery (til-rodi, hence Lohri) are offered to the fire with the words 'aadar aaye, daliddar jaaye' — may honour come and want depart.
The circling of the fire and the offering, with fire as witness, is how a new member of the household (a bride or a baby) is welcomed into the community — which is why the 'first Lohri' is held so important.
The tale of Dulla Bhatti — a Punjabi hero who rescued poor girls (Sundri and Mundri) and had them married — is retold every year in the Lohri songs ('Sundar Mundriye… ho!'); it is also a festival of respect for daughters.
How the katha is heard
- Hear or read the katha after the puja, before the aarti — the whole family sits together.
- The one keeping the vrat should listen with a calm mind; keep a lamp lit and a little akshat-flowers in hand.
- At the end, offer the flowers at the deity's feet and bow; share the prasad with everyone.
📿 Lohri puja vidhi (step by step) →
Frequently asked questions
When is Lohri in {Y}?
The date at the top is the day before Makar Sankranti for your city — Lohri is always kept on the eve of Sankranti (usually 13 January); the bonfire is lit after sunset.
How are Lohri and Makar Sankranti related?
Lohri is the last day of Paush and the next morning the sun enters Makara — Makar Sankranti/Maghi. One night of fire, the next day of bath, charity and sesame-jaggery.
What is a 'first Lohri'?
The first Lohri after a marriage or after a baby's birth — the community holds a big celebration at that home, the couple/baby lead the circling and shagun is shared. Today a daughter's first Lohri is celebrated with equal fanfare.
Is Lohri only a Punjabi festival?
Originally of Punjab-Haryana, but now kept across north India and in diaspora communities; the same day is Bhogi in Tamil Nadu and the eve of Magh Bihu in Assam.
How do we make a bonfire abroad?
In a backyard fire-pit or at a community hall/gurdwara event; many cities need a permit for an open fire — check local rules. Without a fire, a symbolic offering with candles/lamps is also done.
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