Happy Lohri 2023: Significance Of The Harvest Festival, Greetings And Messages To Share With Loved Ones

Happy Lohri 2023 Wishes: For the Lohri festivities, people fly kites with great enthusiasm during the day. The festival is mainly celebrated by the Punjabi community across the northern states.

A kite maker prepares kites at his home-workshop, ahead of the Lohri and Makar Sankranti, in Amritsar, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. (PTI Photo) ( Image Source :PTI )

Happy Lohri 2023: Lohri is celebrated with great enthusiasm mainly in the northern states such as Punjab and Haryana as well as the national capital Delhi, the day prior to Makar Sankranti. Lohri is a harvest festival that is also believed to be marking the passing of the winter solstice. In Jammu and Himachal Pradesh as well, people from the Punjabi community observe the festival.

Lohri 2023 Date

Lohri is celebrated in the month of Paush and is set by the solar part of the lunisolar Punjabi calendar. According to the Vikrami calendar, Lohri usually falls on about the same date every year which is January 13, Friday. However, this year there is confusion regarding the exact date as according to Drik Panchang, the festival is on January 14, Saturday.

The official holiday for the festival announced by the Punjab government is January 13, as per a notification released on December 13 last year.

Lohri Significance 

Historical references to Lohri are mentioned by European visitors to the Lahore Darbar of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1832. The celebration of Lohri with the making of a huge bonfire at night is also noted in the royal court in 1844.

However, accounts of the Lohri celebration do not mention the origins of the festival.

Lohri celebrates the arrival of warmer weather as after Makar Sankranti, the night hours begin to get shorter, and the days get longer.

The festival also celebrates the new harvest season and new crops.

Notably, a popular folk song in Punjab known as 'Sundar Mundariye' talks about the folklore of Dulla Bhatti, associated with Lohri. A man named Dulla Bhatti is said to have lived in Punjab during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar. A Robin Hood-like figure, Dulla Bhatti robbed the rich to help the poor. The folklore goes that he even saved a girl from kidnappers and took care of her as his daughter. He even performed her wedding rituals in absence of a priest. 

Lohri Celebrations

For the Lohri festivities, people fly kites with great enthusiasm during the day. At night, people light a bonfire in front of their homes, and wheat sheaf is offered to it. People also throw Rewadi, peanuts, sesame seeds, chikki, and items made from jaggery in the bonfire and perform 'Parikrama'. 

On this day, delicacies like 'Gajak' and 'Rewari' are relished sitting near the fire. They may play songs as they enjoy the warmth of the bonfire amid a usually cold night.

In Punjab, the Lohri dinner is usually 'Makke di Roti' (Flatbread made with cornmeal) and 'Sarso da Saag' (curry of Mustard greens). 

Lohri 2023: Wishes & Messages To Share

• Let the festival of bliss and delight fill your life with prosperity and success. May the bright light of the bonfire bring harmony and peace in your life. With loads of adoration and love, I wish you an exceptionally Happy Lohri!!!
  
  
• Dil Ki Khushi Aur Apno Ka Pyar
  Mubarak Ho Apko Lohri Ka Tyohar.
  Lohri Ki Shubhkamnaein!
  
  
• Mithe Gud Se Mil Gaya Til,
  Uri Patang Aur Khil Gaya Dil
  Wish You A Happy Lohri.
  
  
• Makki Di Roti Te Sarson Da Saag, Suraj Diya Kirnan,
  Khushiyan Di Bahar, Dhol Di Awaaz Te Nachdi Mutiyar,
  Mubarak Hove Sarkar Thaunu Lohri Da Tyohar..
  Happy Lohri
  
  
• I hope that the bonfire of Lohri fills your hearts with the warmth of love and affection. Sending you and your fam loads of warm wishes on the auspicious occasion.
  
  
• May this festival of warmth bring success to you and your loved ones. Happy Lohri.

• Mungfali, til aur gud layein aapke jeewan mein khushiyan. Lohri ka prakash kar de roshan aapke aane wale kal ko. Best wishes on this festival. Happy Lohri.

• Warm wishes on Lohri to you. May this festive occasion of Lohri bring along prosperity and happiness into your lives.

• May this beautiful festival of harvest fill your life with happiness and positivity. May there be success and hope in your life. Warm wishes to you and your family. Happy Lohri my dear.

• May the fire of burn away all the negativities and problems in your life and leave you with a positive mind and body. Warm wishes on Lohri to you.