Lohri

Indian festival · harvest · winter solstice

Bonfire celebration. Families gather around bonfires on the night before Maghi to celebrate the end of winter and welcome the returning warmth of the sun. People sing songs and share treats around the flames.

Sun's turning point. Lohri celebrates the winter solstice, the moment when the sun starts moving toward the Northern Hemisphere, bringing longer and warmer days ahead after the coldest time of year.

Harvest festival. Lohri honors the recent harvest and gives thanks for the crops that have been gathered. It's a time when farmers celebrate their hard work and the food that will feed their families.

January timing. Lohri happens on or near January 13th every year, right before a festival called Maghi. It marks the end of the darkest, coldest part of winter.

Punjab tradition. While celebrated across northern India and Pakistan, Lohri is especially important in the Punjab region, where it has been a beloved folk festival for generations.