The Punjabi culture is interwoven with equal amounts of valour and vivaciousness put together. Several years of civilization have yielded a strong, multi-hued culture which celebrates distinct festivals with tremendous enthusiasm and reverence. Some of these festivals are celebrated across the nation, while most are restricted to the state of Punjab they are also celebrated in small pockets in different states which boast of Punjabi population. These festivals spread life, cheer and fulfilment among the residents and bring out the real essence of life!
As the festival of Lohri dates back to the time of the Indus Valley Civilization, it is considered to be one of the oldest festivals in the country. It is celebrated as a harvest festival on the 13th day of January every year which falls in the auspicious month of Poush or Magh according to the Hindu calendar. People dance to the tunes of folk songs and perform the Bhangra and Giddha around bonfires that are lit to facilitate the coming together of people from all communities. Lohri is celebrated to encourage and enhance social interaction and it is performed on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti. As the legend goes, Dulla Bhatti, popular among the masses of Punjab as the Rajah of Pindi Bhattan, would plunder the rich of their amassed wealth and distribute it among the poor, thus turning into the Robin Hood of the West. The legends and ballads of Dulla Bhatti are sung by children who go from door to door in the villages of Punjab on the day of Lohri. In turn, children are treated with gifts, money and sweets. Through the celebrations of Lohri, the people of the state of Punjab pay their gratitude to God for bestowing them with rich natural resources and the wealth of land!
