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Happy Lohri and Sankranti!!!
Sankranti is celebrated over the next two days in India and other countries. Today/Tomorrow is Bhogi/Lohri and day after is Makar Sankranti. Sankranti is the "festival of harvest" celebrated under different names.
During Sankranti, people make bon-fire,fly kites, make colorful designs in front of homes, parade decorated cattle, enjoy (Cock fights)Bird-fights, feast and start the new season after reaping the golden harvest.
Lohri is an popular harvest festival in India, especially North India. Come January, and the fields are filled with the golden harvest of wheat and farmers celebrate Lohri during this rest period before the harvesting and gathering of crops. Lohri is usually celebrated in the outdoors by friends and family who get together and have a bonfire in the evening.
During the day, children go from door to door singing folk songs in praise of Dulha Bhatti, a thief in folklore who helps the poor and fights for their rights. These children are given sweets and savories, and occasionally, money. These collections are known as Lohri, and they are distributed at night during the festival. Some may be offered to the sacred fire. Peanuts, popcorn and other food items are also thrown into the fire as an offering to the God of Fire.
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Pongal, Makar Sakranti, Lohri is the harvest festival celebrated in India as Uttarayan starts.
At this time of the year, every state in India celebrates its harvest festival. While it's Lohri in Punjab today, the four-day Pongal festival starts in Tamil Nadu with Bhogi Pongal and thousands of Hindu devotees from across the country have already reached Haridwar for the Kumbh Mela. The harvest festivals are a celebration of 'unity in diversity'. On Makar Sankranti, the Sun God is worshipped as a mark of gratitude for blessing the farmers with a good crop. It marks the Sun's transit into Makara or Capricorn, which means the end of the winter solstice and the start of longer days. In West Bengal, Makar Sankranti is also known as Poush Sankranti, when the famous Ganga Sagar Mela takes place.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punjab_(region)
The Punjab (Listeni/pʌnˈdʒɑːb/, /ˈpʌndʒɑːb/, /pʌnˈdʒæb/, /ˈpʌndʒæb/), also spelled Panjab, panj-āb, land of "five rivers"[1] (Punjabi: پنجاب (Shahmukhi); ਪੰਜਾਬ (Gurumukhi)), is a geographical and cultural region in the northern part of South Asia, comprising areas of eastern Pakistan and northern India. Not being a political unit, the extent of the region is the subject of debate and focuses on historical events to determine its boundaries.
The Punjab region has been inhabited by Indus Valley Civilisation, Indo-Aryan peoples, Indo-Scythians and has seen numerous invasions by the Achaemenid Empire, Greeks, Kushan Empire, Ghaznavids, Timurids, Mughals, Afghans, British and others. The foreign invaders mainly targeted the most productive region of Punjab known as the Majha region,[2] located in central part of Punjab, which is also the bedrock of Panjabi culture and traditions.[3] The people of the Punjab today are called Punjabis and their principal language is called Punjabi. The main religions of the Punjab region are Islam, Sikhism and Hinduism. Other religious groups are Christianity, Jainism and Buddhism.
Etymology
History
The name of the region is a compound of two Persian words[1][4] Panj (five) and āb (water) and was introduced to the region by the Turko-Persian conquerors[5] of India and more formally popularised during the Mughal Empire.[6][7] Punjab literally means "(The Land of) Five Waters" referring to the rivers: Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas.[8] All are tributaries of the Indus River, the Chenab being the largest.
Physical geography
There are two main definitions of the Punjab region: the 1947 definition and the older 1846-1849 definition. The third definition incorporates both the 1947 and the older definitions but also includes northern Rajasthan on a linguistic basis and ancient river movements.
1947 definition
The 1947 definition defines the Punjab region with reference to the dissolution of British India whereby the then British Punjab Province was partitioned between India and Pakistan. In Pakistan, the region now includes the Punjab province and Islamabad Capital Territory. In India, it includes the Punjab state, Chandigarh, Haryana[9] and Himachal Pradesh.
Using the 1947 definition, the Punjab region borders Kashmir to the north, Sindh and Rajasthan to the south, the Pashtun region and Balochistan to the west, and the Hindi belt to the east. Accordingly, the Punjab region is very diverse and stretches from the hills of the Kangra Valley to the plains and to the Cholistan Desert.
Major cities
sing the 1947 definition of the Punjab region, some of the major cities of the area include Lahore, Faisalabad and Ludhiana.
The older definition of the Punjab region focuses on the collapse of the Sikh Empire and the creation of the British Punjab province between 1846 and 1849. According to this definition, the Punjab region incorporates, in Pakistan, Azad Kashmir including Bhimber and Mirpur[10] and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (especially Peshawar[11][12] known in the Punjab region as Pishore).[13] In India the wider definition includes parts of Delhi and Jammu Division.[14][15]
Using the older definition of the Punjab region, the Punjab region covers a large territory and can be divided into five natural areas:[1]
the eastern mountainous region including Jammu Division and Azad Kashmir;
the trans-Indus region including Peshawar;
the central plain with its five rivers;
the north-western region, separated from the central plain by the Salt Range between the Jhelum and the Indus rivers;
the semi-desert to the south of the Sutlej river.
The formation of the Himalayan Range of mountains to the east and north-east of the Punjab is the result of a collision between the north-moving Indo-Australian Plate and the Eurasian Plate. The plates are still moving together, and the Himalayas are rising by about 5mm per year.
The upper regions are snow-covered the whole year. Lower ranges of hills run parallel to the mountains. The Lower Himalayan Range runs from north of Rawalpindi through Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and further south. The mountains are relatively young, and are eroding rapidly. The Indus and the five rivers of the Punjab have their sources in the mountain range and carry loam, minerals and silt down to the rich alluvial plains, which consequently are very fertile.[16]
Major cities
According to the older definition, some of the major cities include Jammu, Peshawar and parts of Delhi.
Greater Punjab
The third definition of the Punjab region adds to the definitions cited above and includes parts of Rajasthan[17][18][19][20] on linguistic lines and taking into consideration the location of the Punjab rivers in ancient times. In particular, the Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh districts are included in the Punjab region.
Climate
The climate is a factor contributing to the economy of the Punjab. It is not uniform over the whole region, with the sections adjacent to the Himalayas receiving heavier rainfall than those at a distance.[22]
There are three main seasons and two transitional periods. During the Hot Season, from about mid April to the end of June, the temperature may reach 49˚C. The Monsoon Season, from July to September, is a period of heavy rainfall, providing water for crops in addition to the supply from canals and irrigation systems. The transitional period after the monsoon is cool and mild, leading to the Winter Season, when the temperature in January falls to 5˚C at night and 12˚C by day. During the transitional period from Winter to the Hot Season sudden hailstorms and heavy showers may occur, causing damage to crops.[23]
History
The Punjab region of India and Pakistan has a historical and cultural link to Indo-Aryan peoples as well as partially to various indigenous communities. As a result of several invasions from Central Asia and the Middle East, many ethnic groups and religions make up the cultural heritage of the Punjab.
In prehistoric times, one of the earliest known cultures of South Asia, the Indus Valley Civilisation was located in the region.
The epic battles described in the Mahabharata are described as being fought in what is now the present-day State of Haryana and historic Punjab. The Gandharas, Kambojas, Trigartas, Andhra, Pauravas, Bahlikas (Bactrian settlers of the Punjab), Yaudheyas and others sided with the Kauravas in the great battle fought at Kurukshetra.[24] According to Dr Fauja Singh and Dr L. M. Joshi: "There is no doubt that the Kambojas, Daradas, Kaikayas, Andhra, Pauravas, Yaudheyas, Malavas, Saindhavas and Kurus had jointly contributed to the heroic tradition and composite culture of ancient Punjab".[25]
Menander I Soter (165/155 –130 BC) conqueror of the Punjab, he carved out a Greek kingdom in the Punjab and ruled the Punjab till his death in 130 B.C.[26][27]
In 326 BCE, Alexander the Great invaded the tip of the Punjab from the north (present-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan) and defeated King Porus. His armies entered the region via the Hindu Kush in northwest Pakistan and his rule extended up to the city of Sagala (present-day Sialkot in northeast Pakistan). In 305 BCE the area was ruled by the Maurya Empire. In a long line of succeeding rulers of the area, Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka stand out as the most renowned. The Maurya presence in the area was then consolidated in the Indo-Greek Kingdom in 180 BCE. Menander I Soter "The Saviour" (known as Milinda in Indian sources) is the most renowned leader of the era, he conquered the Punjab and made Sagala the capital of his Empire.[26] Menander carved out a Greek kingdom in the Punjab and ruled the region till his death in 130 B.C.[27] The neighbouring Seleucid Empire rule came to an end around 12 BCE, after several invasions by the Yuezhi and the Scythian people.
In 711–713 CE, 18-year-old Arab Sultan Muhammad bin Qasim of Taif, a city in what is now Saudi Arabia, came by way of the Arabian Sea with Arab troops to defeat Raja Dahir. The Sultan then led his troops to conquer the Sindh and Punjab regions for the Islamic Umayyad Caliphate. Qasim was the first to bring Islam to the region.
A section of the Lahore Fort built by the Mughal emperor Akbar.
During the establishment and consolidation of the Muslim Turkic Mughal Empire prosperity, growth, and relative peace were established. Particularly under the reign of Jahangir. Muslim empires ruled the Punjab for approximately 1000 years. The period was also notable for the emergence of Guru Nanak (1469–1539), the founder of Sikhism.
In 1758, Punjab came under the rule of Marathas who captured the region by defeating Afghan forces of Ahmad Shah Abdali. Abdali's Indian invasion weakened the Maratha influence, but he could not defeat the Sikhs. After the death of Ahmad Shah, the Punjab was freed from the Afghan yoke by Sikhs between 1773 and 1818. At the time of the formation of the Dal Khalsa in 1748 at Amritsar, the Punjab had been divided into 36 areas and 12 separate Sikh principalities, called misl. From this point onward, the beginnings of a Punjabi Sikh Empire emerged. Out of the 36 areas, 22 were united by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The other 14 accepted British sovereignty. After Ranjit Singh's death, assassinations and internal divisions severely weakened the empire. Six years later the British East India Company was given an excuse to declare war and in 1849, after two Anglo-Sikh wars, the Punjab was annexed by the British.
In the Indian Rebellion of 1857 the Sikh rulers backed the East India Company, providing troops and support,[28] but in Jhelum 35 British soldiers of HM XXIV regiment were killed by the local resistance and in Ludhiana a rebellion was crushed with the assistance of the Punjab chiefs of Nabha and Malerkotla.
The British Raj had political, cultural, philosophical and literary consequences in the Punjab, including the establishment of a new system of education. During the independence movement, many Punjabis played a significant role, including Madan Lal Dhingra, Sukhdev Thapar, Ajit Singh Sandhu, Bhagat Singh, Udham Singh, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Bhai Parmanand, Muhammad Iqbal, Chaudhary Rehmat Ali, and Lala Lajpat Rai.
At the time of partition in 1947, the province was split into East and West Punjab. East Punjab (48%) became part of India, while West Punjab (52%) became part of Pakistan.[29] The Punjab bore the brunt of the civil unrest following the British Raj, with casualties estimated to be in millions.
Timeline
3300–1500 BCE: Harappan civilisation
1500–1000 BCE: (Rigvedic) Vedic civilisation
1000–500 BCE: Middle and late Vedic Period
599 BCE: Birth of Mahavira
567–487 BCE: Time of Gautama Buddha
550 BCE – 600 CE: Buddhism remained prevalent
326 BCE: Alexander's Invasion of Punjab
322–298 BCE: Chandragupta I, Maurya period
273–232 BCE: Reign of Ashoka
125–160 BCE: Rise of the Sakas
2 BCE: Beginning of Rule of the Sakas
45–180: Rule of the Kushans
320–550: Gupta Empire
500: Hunnic Invasion
510–650: Vardhana's Era
711–713: Muhammad bin Qasim conquers Sindh and small part of Punjab region
713–1200: Rajput states, Kabul Shahi & small Muslim kinddoms
1206–1290: Mamluk dynasty established by Mohammad Ghori
1290–1320: Khilji dynasty established by Jalal ud din Firuz Khilji
1320–1413: Tughlaq dynasty established by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
1414–1451: Sayyid dynasty established by Khizr Khan
1451–1526: Lodhi dynasty established by Bahlul Khan Lodhi
1469–1539: Guru Nanak
1526–1707: Mughal rule
1526–1530: Zaheeruddin Muhammad Babur
1530–1540: Nasiruddin Muhammad Humayun
1540–1545: Sher Shah Suri of Afghanistan
1545–1554: Islam Shah Suri
1555–1556: Nasiruddin Muhammad Humayun
1556–1556: Hem Chandra Vikramaditya
1556–1605: Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar
1605–1627: Nooruddin Muhammad Jahangir
1627–1658: Shahaabuddin Muhammad Shah Jahan
1658–1707: Mohiuddin Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir
1539–1675: Period of 8 Sikh Gurus from Guru Angad Dev to Guru Tegh Bahadur
1675–1708: Guru Gobind Singh (10th Sikh Guru)
1699: Birth of the Khalsa
1708–1713: Conquests of Banda Bahadur
1722: Birth of Ahmed Shah Durrani, either in Multan in Mughal Empire or Herat in Afghanistan
1714–1759: Sikh chiefs (Sardars) war against Afghans & Mughal Governors
1739: Invasion by Nader Shah and defeat of weakened Mughal Empire
1747–1772: Durrani Empire led by Ahmad Shah Durrani
1756–1759: Sikh and Maratha Empire cooperation in the Punjab
1761: The Third Battle of Panipat, between the Durrani Empire against the Maratha Empire.
1762: 2nd massacre (Ghalughara) from Ahmed Shah's 2nd invasion
1765–1801: Rise of the Sikh Misls which gained control of significant swathes of Punjab
1801–1839: Sikh Empire also known as Sarkar Khalsa, Rule by Maharaja Ranjit Singh
1845–1846: First Anglo-Sikh War
1846: Jammu joined with the new state of Jammu and Kashmir
1848–1849: Second Anglo-Sikh War
1849: Complete annexation of Punjab into British India
1849–1947: British rule
1901: Peshawar and adjoining districts separated from the Punjab Province
1911: Parts of Delhi separated from Punjab Province
1947: The Partition of India divided Punjab into two parts. The Eastern part (with two rivers) became the Indian Punjab and the Western part (three rivers) the Pakistan Punjab
1966: Indian Punjab divided into three parts: Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh
1973–1995: Punjab insurgency
1986: Resolution by militants proposing an independent state of Khalistan
People of the Punjab
Ethnic ancestries of modern Punjabis include a mixture of Indo-Aryan and Indo-Scythian. Semitic ancestries can also be found in lesser numbers. With the advent of Islam, settlers from Turkestan, Afghanistan, and Kashmir have also integrated into the Muslim Punjabi society. However the majority of Punjab is still made up of the Ahirs, Arains, Dalits (mostly Chamars), Gujjars, Jats, Khatris, Tarkhans, Brahmins, Bhats, Rajputs, Rors and Saini. In the past, the most densely populated area has been the Majha region of Punjab.
Languages
The major language spoken in the Punjab is Punjabi. In the Indian Punjab this is written in the Gurmukhi script. Pakistan uses the Shahmukhi script, that is closer to Urdu script. Hindi, written in the Devanagri script, is used widely in the Indian states of Himanchal Pradesh and Haryana. Several dialects of Punjabi are spoken in the different regions. The Majhi dialect is considered to be textbook Punjabi and is shared by both countries.
Religions
The vast majority of Pakistani Punjabis are Sunni Muslim by faith, but also include large minority faiths mostly Shia Muslim, Ahmadi Muslim and Christians.
The Indian states of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh are mostly Hindu-majority. Sikhism, founded in the late 15th century, is the main religion practised in the post-1966 Indian Punjab state. About 60% of the population of Punjab state is Sikh, 37% is Hindu, and the rest are Muslims, Christians, and Jains.[30] However, due to large scale migration from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Bengal and Odisha the demographics have become more skewed than reported earlier. Punjab state contains the holy Sikh city of Amritsar.
The Punjab was home to several Sufi saints.[31] Sufism is a concept in Islam. Also, Kirpal Singh revered the Sikh Gurus as saints.
Punjabi festivals
Punjabis celebrate the following cultural, seasonal and religious festivals:
Maghi
Lohri
Holi
Vaisakhi
Teeyan
Raksha Bandhan
Mela Chiraghan
Diwali
Dussehra
Karwa Chauth
Eid
Christmas
Navratri
Punjabi clothing
Traditional Punjabi clothing includes the following:
Salwar (Punjabi) Suit
Patiala salwar
Punjabi Tamba and Kurta
Phulkari
Punjabi Ghagra
Shalwar kameez
Kurta
Economy
Main articles: Economy of Punjab, Pakistan and Economy of Punjab, India
The historical region of Punjab is considered to be one of the most fertile regions on Earth. Both east and west Punjab produce a relatively high proportion of India and Pakistan's food output respectively.
The region has been used for extensive wheat farming, in addition rice, cotton, sugarcane, fruit and vegetables are also grown.
The agricultural output of the Punjab region in Pakistan contributes significantly to Pakistan's GDP. Both Indian and Pakistani Punjab are considered to have the best infrastructure of their respective countries. Indian Punjab has been estimated to be the second richest state in India.[34] Pakistani Punjab produces 68% of Pakistan's food grain production.[35] Its share of Pakistan's GDP has historically ranged from 51.8% to 54.7%.[36]
Called "The Granary of India" or "The Bread Basket of India", Indian Punjab produces 1% of the world's rice, 2% of its wheat, and 2% of its cotton.[37] In 2001, it was recorded that farmers made up 39% of Indian Punjab's workforce.
"Lohri is one of the most popular festivals in North India. It is celebrated by people of Punjab with great fanfare. In addition to Punjab, this festival is celebrated with enthusiasm in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Many people believe that this festival is celebrated on that day when in winter it is the smallest day of the year and the night is the biggest night of the year. Traditionally, Lohri is a special festival associated with sowing and harvesting.""
Oblivious to the whole crowd at the back the kid starts playing piano on the stairs!
It was music to our ears :)
The fundamental delusion of humanity is to suppose that I am here and you are out there.
Yasutani Roshi
Happy Pongal / Happy Lohri
Explored !!! Jan 13, 2010 #372
Lohri is a popular festival, celebrated by Punjabi people of the Indian subcontinent, particularly of Sikh and Hindu faith. The origins of Lohri are many and link the festival to Punjab region in Indian subcontinent. Many people believe the festival was originally celebrated on winter solstice day, being the shortest day and the longest night of the year.
A key feature of Lohri is the bonfire. Seen here is a small bonfire made with bamboos and dry leaves to celebrate the festival.
Lohri is the cultural celebration of the winter solstice and is observed by the Indians every year in the month of January. It is believed that the Lohri night is the longest night of the year.
It's good to be back on flickr again!!!!
This Easter got a chance to visit one of the most iconic places in the world - Paris. What can I say about the place that has not been already said, it is alluring, appealing, charming, delightful, eye-catching, glamorous, prepossessing, elegant, exquisite, glorious, resplendent, splendid, statuesque, sublime, superb, flawless, perfect, radiant, dainty, delicate, lovely, pretty, ravishing, stunning.....and the list goes on. If you like architecture, this is the place to be. The city is as beautiful during day as it is during night.
Already planning to go back. Well, that's about me... how have you been guys???
Hope you had lovely Easter, Lohri, Baisakhi, Vishu :)
Will catch up with your streams tonight :)
Nikon D800
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MANISH KUMAR FILMMAKER / DIRECTOR
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Workers busy preparing the kite thread. The kite string or the 'dorr' (pronounced as door), is made of crushed glass, glue, colours and egg applied on the thread to make it strong enough to hold the kite and cutting out the rival kites in the sky.
Here, in Amritsar, people are obssesed with flying kites in winters. Each Sunday of the winters witnesses spirits soaring high with shouts of "Ayi Bo!", which symbolizes triumph of victory after cutting the rival kite, penetrating the thick and foggy atmosphere. The kite flying season reaches its climax with the Festival of Lohri(celebrated on January 13 every year) when people from almost every household get onto their rooftops for flying kites with music playing high in the background. At night bonfires are arranged and people sing and dance around them as they celebrate the festival.
Happy Makar Sankranti Images 2016 Wallpapers, Photos HD : Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival and is celebrated by Hindus in the month of Magha in India. Wish you happy Makar sankranti 2016 To all Trvnews.com viewers, subscribers. Happy Makar Sankranti Images 2016 Wallpapers, Photos HD Makar...
www.happynewyearonline.in/2016/01/happy-makar-sankranti-i...
Children fly kites into the night during the Lohri kite festival in Amritsar, India. On this day of celebration, families gather together on their rooftops, dancing to music and enjoying each others company while the children and younger generations fly kites in a constant competition with the neighbors.
Lohri Festival in Delhi is about Lohri celebrations, Lohri Parties and weddings at wedding venues and party halls in Delhi ift.tt/1l9ooxz
HAPPY "MAKAR SANKRANTI", "PONGAL", "UTTARAYAN", "MAGHI", "LOHRI", "BHOGALI BIHU", "KHICHDI" WISHES TO ALL...! . [ En route to Bangalore. Asian Highway 43 (AH43) ]
Makar Sankranti, also referred to as Uttarayana, Makar, or simply Sankranti, is a Hindu observance and a festival. Usually falling on the date of January 15 annually, this occasion marks the transition of the Sun from the zodiac of Sagittarius to Capricorn.
"Light also reveals knowledge, which knowledge is light, which light protects from darkness because darkness has no power to penetrate light as light has power to penetrate darkness."
Happy Pongal, Happy Sankranti and Happy Lohri my friends.
2016 Lohri Greetings, Lohri HD Wallpaper, Pictures, Greeting Cards, Photos, Whatsapp Pics: Check out my collection of Happy lohri wishes for you, so that you can share with your friends and family. Lohri is holly festival and it is celebrated as new year in Desi Months. It is...
www.happynewyearonline.in/2016/01/2016-lohri-greetings-lo...
happy Lohri utsav Pictures, Images, wishes: Hello friends, today i am sharing best lohri 2016 utsav pictures free download. We know that Lohri is going to celebrate on 13 January of every year. Lohri is festival of North India. It is mostly celebrated in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and...
www.happynewyearonline.in/2016/01/happy-lohri-utsav-pictu...
Lohri is a popular festival, celebrated by Punjabi particularly of Hindu and Sikh faith.It is one of the greatest festivals of Punjab and Haryana.
According to the Hindu calendar, Lohri falls in mid-January. The earth, farthest from the sun at this point of time, starts its journey towards the sun, thus ending the coldest month of the year, Paush, and announcing the start of the month of Magh and the auspicious period of Uttarayan.According to folk lore, in ancient times Lohri was celebrated on winter solstice day. It is for this reason that people believe the Lohri night is meant to be the longest night of the year and on the day after Lohri, day light is meant to increase. The day after Lohri is celebrated as Makar Sankranti when the days are meant to start getting longer.
As Lohri has been linked to the Bikrami calendar, the festival has been twinned with the astrological festival of Makar Sankranti. Other cultures observe winter solstice as per its original meaning
Lohri falls in the month of Paush i.e. around 13 January, as per the Gregorian calendar. It is, actually, celebrated a day before Makara Sankranthi, as it marks the end of the winter season. The sun usually enters the Nirayana Makara rashi on January 14. However, there are times when the sun could enter the zodiac a day before or a day after January 14. Regardless, Lohri is still celebrated a day before Makar Sankranti. Makara sankranti marks beginning of the solar maagha masa, and Lohri must be celebrated on the last day of the solar Dhanur masa, which also marks the exit of the sun from Dhanu rashi.
A key feature of Lohri is the bonfire. Lighting of the fire has been common in winter solstice festivals throughout time and the world: it signifies the return of longer days. For some the bonfire has a religious meaning, a remnant of ancient origins.
Over time, people have associated Lohri to the tale of Dulla Bhatti. The central theme of many Lohri songs is the legend of Dulla Bhatti, who lived in Punjab during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar. He was regarded as a hero in Punjab. Besides robbing the rich, he rescued poor Punjabi girls, being forcibly taken to be sold in slave market of the Middle East from the Sandal Bar region. He arranged their marriages to boys of their religion with rituals and provided them with dowries. So every other Lohri song has words to express gratitude to Dulla Bhatti.
Also, according to the Bhagawad Gita, Lord Krishna manifests himself in his full magnificence during this time. The Hindus 'nullify' their sins by bathing in the Ganges.Some other people believe that Lohri has derived its name from Loi, the wife of Saint Kabir. Here is another legend amongst some people that Lohri comes from the word 'loh', which means the light and the warmness of fire. According to another legend Holika and Lohri were sisters. While the former perished in the Holi fire, the latter survived with Prahlad
Eating of til (sesame seeds) and rorhi is considered to be essential on Lohri day. Perhaps the words til and rorhi merged to become tilorhi, which eventually got shortened to Lohri.
Punjabi farmers see the day after Lohri as the financial new year. It is a very important day.