Why is Lohri celebrated?

The festival of Lohri is come out from some highly interesting folk legends. Mainly the story of Dulla Bhatti is quoted to be associated with this annual event. This festival celebration also underlines the essential Hindu-Muslim unity that is typical to the noble culture of India.

The kind-hearted highway robber-Dulla Bhatti

He was a Muslim Highway robber who lived in Punjab during the King Akbar rule. Even though his main occupation as robbery on highways, he was also famous for rescuing Hindu girls from those who were abducting them to sell in the slave market of the UAE or Middle East. He even helped many girls get married to Hindu bridegrooms by organizing the Hindu wedding ceremonies and practices. Once they got married, he settled them happily and even offered them dowry. Lohri Festival therefore came to be celebrated as a mark of thankfulness to this heroic personality.

However, there is yet another view that claims that this Lohri/ Lohi festival derives its name from the name of San Kabir's wife “Loi” also term as Lohi. There are others who speaks that the name of the festival has its origin from the term loh that refers to a thick iron sheet or tawa used for baking chapatis.

Yet another legend states that among the sisters Holika & Lohri, Holika died in the holi fire while the second one survived thus bringing the name to the festival.

Many folks associate the celebration of Lohri festival with the solar year. It has got to herald agriculture. The principal deity worshiped during this festival is fire god. Symbolically, Lohri marks the dawn of summar.

Comments

Why the Lord Hanuman is always depicted in Red/ Orange colour Sindoor?

We see in almost all Lord Hanuman temples that Hanumanji is coated or covered with Red colour sindoor or else with orange colour Sindoor. What is the story associated with applying Red/ Orange colour sindoor to Lord Hanuman and what is the importance of sindoor in Hanumanji worship or puja? It is said that one day Mata Sita used to coat/ mark the partying of hair with sindoor powder. Curiously Lord Hanuman asked Mata Sita, what was the red powder that she was putting on her forehead? Mata Sita replied “Hanuman! This is Sindoor. Sindoor makes Lord Rama happy and would bless him with a prosperous and long life. ” After paying attention to this Hanumanji disappeared from the place. Lord Hanuman came back with his body fully covered with red-colored sindoor. He covered his whole body, even his clothes, and hair with Sindoor. Lord Rama saw Hanumanji covered with sindoor and was shocked. He asked the reason. Hanumanji replied “Mata Sita told ...

Why do married Bengali women wear shakha pola?

Shakha is pairs of conch shell the white bangle is made of the well-crafted & polished conch shell. Shakha & Pola are a symbol of a married woman in Bengali Hindu culture. This custom is most popular and accepted in the eastern part of India. In Bengali culture, the Shakha & Pola has a great meaning and significance. Before the actual bengali marriage day in the wee hours of very day, married women perform ceremony referred as Dodhi Mangal in which they soak bangles made with conch shells and pola (the red bangles) in turmeric mixed water. Seven married women put shankha pola ( one red and one white bangle) into bride’s hands. It symbolizes as seven forms of Goddess. According to the Old folk stories in West Bengal, it is believed that this shankha pola custom belongs to poor fishermen since they can’t afford costly pieces of jewellery. The bride has to wear Pola (red bangle) between iron metal bangles or Shankha. It is also believed said that the iron bangle provides fi...

Why do Brahmins wear a white thread (Janaeu) around their body?

Introduction Janeu (white thread) is worn by every Hindu Brahmin of India. Wearing the sacred thread called the 'Janeu' is the most important rites for Hindus. Besides the Brahmins, Janeo thread is also worn by the Vaishyas and Kshatriyas. Hinduism has various traditions and rituals which keep the religion alive. One of the most popular and sacred rituals is that of wearing this sacred Janeu by the Brahmin boys after they reach the age of 7-12 at the 'Upanayan Sanskar'. The ceremony of wearing the sacred thread or the 'Yagnopavitra' is known as Upanayanam. 'Upanayan Sanskar' is basically the 10th sanskar of 'Santana Hindu Dharma'. The Upanayanam ceremony is normally associated with the higher caste Hindus. It is mandatory for the Kshatriya and the Brahmin boys to wear this sacred thread. The ceremony is usually performed when the child is ready for schooling. The holy thread is given to the child as a reminder to the commitment t...

Unique Blogs

Search This Blog