Festival of Lohri is round the corner and arrangements are on in full swing. Lohri marks the end of the freezing winter season and people look forward to a beautiful spring season. The festival is celebrated just one day prior to Makar Sankranti that marks the beginning of bright and sunny days. There are many traditions and rituals that go into Lohri celebrations and people easily miss out important things that they would need while shopping. So here is a list of things that you may need for Lohri 2019.
Checklist for Lohri 2019
1. Black Til or sesame seeds
Lohri cannot be celebrated without the black til or sesame seeds. It is one of the most important ingredients used in Lohri festival. Black til is believed to soak all the negativities around and elicit the best in people. According to mythology, black til comes from the religious body of rishi Kashyap when he was meditating and hence, it is widely used in Indian rituals.
2. Wood
Wood is another important thing that you would require for a perfect Lohri celebration. You should collect a lot of wood so as to pull off a large scale Lohri. The bigger the fire, the longer it will stay and more people will be able to join in the Lohri celebration. Hence, collect loads of wood beforehand for Lohri 2019.
3. Goitha
The next thing you will need is Goitha or dried cow dung. Cow dung is generally used as fuel in the rural suburban areas of the country. In some villages, women start collecting sufficient gotta to light the fire for Lohri and all this starts a few days before the actual celebration. And now this has become a ritual in cities too. People collect gotta to light the fire.
4. Popcorn and Peanuts
Popcorn and peanuts along with few other snacks are thrown in the fire during the Lohri celebration, most likely because people like the sound of things cracking in the fire. But, traditional food items were thrown in the bonfire as an offering to appease the Gods and thank them for the great harvest.
5. Rewari and Gajak
On Lohri, as per traditions, children go door to door singing festive songs. Every house that the kids would visit, would offer them food items like rewari, chikki and gajak. These things were often regarded as ‘prasad’ for Lohri.
6. Sugarcane
Sugarcane or ganna is harvested in January and then it is offered to the fire for goodwill. Sugarcane juice used in ‘kheer’ is primary to Lohri celebrations in north Indian state of Punjab. So, don’t forget to bring some fresh sugarcane Lohri 2019.
7. Gehu Ki Bali & Bajre Ki Phulliyan
Last but not the least, two most traditional offerings on Lohri are Bajre Ki Phulliyan and Gehu ki Bali. These are roasted and then offered to the fire. It is a way to thank the Gods for the plentiful harvest and also pray for abundance.
Happy Lohri 2019!!!!
