Lohri 2026: Punjab's Festival of the Bonfire
Lohri is a beloved winter harvest festival celebrated primarily in Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh on 13 January every year, marking the end of the winter solstice. Families and communities gather around large bonfires, throwing sesame seeds, jaggery, puffed rice and popcorn into the flames while singing folk songs and performing the Bhangra and Giddha dances. In 2026, Lohri falls on Tuesday, 13 January.
Tuesday, 13 January 2026 · Fixed solar date · Verified Regional DataLohri
✓ Verified Regional DataLohri 2026 Date
Tuesday, 13 January 2026
Bonfire Lighting
Evening — after sunset
Date Pattern
Always 13 January (solar calendar)
Primary States
Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Jammu
About Lohri
Lohri marks the end of the winter solstice and is one of the most energetic festivals of North India. It falls on Makar Sankranti eve and is particularly significant for farmers who celebrate the harvest of the rabi (winter) crop. The festival holds special importance for newlyweds and families with newborn children — their first Lohri together is a milestone celebration. The bonfire is the centrepiece of Lohri: the fire represents the sun god and Agni, and offerings thrown into it are believed to carry prayers and gratitude to the divine.
The Legend of Dulla Bhatti
Lohri folk songs almost always feature Dulla Bhatti, a real historical figure from the Mughal era who became a folk hero of Punjab. Dulla Bhatti was a Robin Hood-like outlaw who lived during the reign of Emperor Akbar. He robbed the wealthy and distributed to the poor, and more importantly, he rescued poor Hindu girls who were being abducted and sold into slavery. He arranged their marriages, providing them with dowries from his own loot.
The most famous Lohri song, "Sunder Mundariye," celebrates Dulla Bhatti's heroism. It is sung as a ballad passed down through generations, a reminder that the festival has roots not just in harvest celebration but in community solidarity and resistance against injustice.
Another folk explanation traces Lohri's name to Holika, the demoness from the Holi legend, or to a woman named Loi who was the wife of Sant Kabir. Regardless of its origin story, Lohri's heart lies in the bonfire, community gatherings, and the joy of the harvest season.
✦Cultural Significance
Lohri is also deeply tied to the agricultural cycle. It marks the time when sugarcane, peanuts and sesame are freshly harvested — the very items thrown into the bonfire as offerings. The celebration of new life (newborns, newlyweds) on Lohri reflects the festival's connection to fertility, warmth and the return of longer days.
How Lohri is Celebrated
Lighting the Bonfire
After sunset, a large bonfire is lit in an open area — traditionally a field, courtyard, or community ground. Families and neighbours gather around it. The fire is treated as sacred, representing Agni (the fire god).
Offerings into the Fire
Sesame seeds (til), jaggery (gur), puffed rice (phulli/muri), and popcorn are thrown into the bonfire in rounds. This act is called "offering to Agni" and is accompanied by the chant "Aadar aye dilather jaye" (May prosperity come, may poverty go).
Circumambulation and Songs
Participants walk around the fire in a circle (parikrama), clapping and singing traditional Lohri songs — especially "Sunder Mundariye." Folk songs about Dulla Bhatti, harvests, and seasonal joy fill the air.
Bhangra and Giddha
Young men perform Bhangra (energetic Punjabi folk dance) and women perform Giddha (a graceful group dance with clapping). These dances reflect the festive, communal spirit of Lohri.
Sharing Lohri Prasad
After the bonfire, everyone receives and shares the Lohri prasad: sesame chikki (til chikki), groundnut chikki, puffed rice, and rewri (sesame jaggery candy). These are distributed as blessings.
Special Lohri for Newborns and Newlyweds
Families celebrating their first Lohri with a newborn child or newly married couple make special arrangements. The infant is held near the bonfire and blessings are given. Relatives and friends visit to celebrate the milestone.
Lohri Food & Treats
Bonfire Prasad
- •Til chikki (sesame jaggery brittle)
- •Mungfali chikki (peanut brittle)
- •Rewri (sesame candy)
- •Puffed rice (muri/phulli)
- •Gajak (sesame-jaggery sweet)
Traditional Lohri Meal
- •Makki ki roti (corn flatbread)
- •Sarson ka saag (mustard greens curry)
- •Butter and white butter (makkhan)
- •Jaggery (gur)
- •Lassi (buttermilk)
ℹ️ Dishes and offerings may vary by region and family tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Source Details
Data Source
Fixed solar calendar — always 13 January · Verified regional sources
Editorial Review
6 June 2026
Verification Status
Verified Regional Data
Region / Location
Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi