Lohri hai, Lohri hai! – The Tribune

Dressed in the finest Phulkaris, gajjak and rewaris passed around the bonfire and dancing to the tunes of Sundar Mundriye, the very first festival of the year, Lohri, spells new beginnings, new hopes and happy times!

A Punjabi, who grew up all over the country given her father’s postings, for IAS officer Sakshi Sawhney, Lohri has been a day to celebrate not just with bonfire and sweets, but also to ensure creating an environment of equal opportunity for all genders. Calling Punjab home, as she is from the Punjab cadre, the DC Amritsar shares, “Lohri is indeed special in Punjab. While mungphali, rewari, gajjak and til bhugga have been part of celebrations, here in Amritsar I have discovered the magic of khajoor—that’s only made for the 15 days around Lohri.” Made with basic ingredients like flour, ghee, sugar and then deep fried in oil, khajoor has been a famous Amritsari Lohri special. While traditionally Lohri has been celebrated for new-born boys, Sawhney says, “We are two sisters. Not only was Lohri celebrated for us, but our parents also guided us to reach out for true happiness. We ensure the same for our daughter.” Lohri is also about precious Phulkaris and shiny juttis! “Here in Amritsar, and also while I was in Patiala, self-help groups are making amazing handmade Phulkaris. I get my dupattas from them and also urge others to look out for the self-help groups in their area and promote them,” says Sawhney, who also makes it a point to visit orphanages and old-age homes to mark the day.

Childhood memories

Kanwardeep Kaur, SSP, Chandigarh, fondly remembers the childhood practice of singing songs, visiting the neighbourhood, demanding Lohri and returning rich, but over the years things have changed. “Our childhood was fun. I would accompany kids in the neighbourhood and they were so creative with the songs,” says Kanwardeep Kaur. Over the decades, now Lohri is a family celebration. “We gather around a bonfire and enjoy treats,” shares the cop, who makes sure she has a serving of gajrela along with other delicacies on the day.

Warmth of connection

Avneet Kaur Sidhu, Zonal AIG (CID), Bathinda, remembers Lohri as one of her favourite festivals while growing up. A huge family coming together around a bonfire, singing songs and inventive games with loads of food passed around, each moment was special. Every Lohri, she is trying to recreate all those times. “Lohri is family time. More the merrier,” says Sidhu. While dressing up is saved for social occasions, for her it’s all about being comfortable and cozy in the company of her loved ones. “Lohri for me reflects warmth of connection. In the world today, that’s fast being replaced by camera clicks and the race to upload pictures, I try to treasure all that I can from the times gone by.”

Colleagues as family

We catch SSP Faridkot Pragya Jain right after an encounter with category one gangsters’ aides and recovery of arms. The young girl from Delhi, much in love with Patiala salwars and loose kurtis, has taken to her khaki attire with aplomb. A strong votary of strict policing, most of her Lohris are celebrated in the police lines with her colleagues, who are like family. “Lohri is also the day to visit old-age homes and orphanages; kuch unki sun lete hain, kuh kah lete hain,” says Jain, who takes out time to enjoy gajrela and mungphalis on the day!

Proud Punjabi

Being the first festival of the year, it holds a special place as it means a New Year, a new hope. My family and I light a bonfire and pray. Later, we munch on lots of mungphali, rewari, gajjak, popcorn and the dinner usually includes makki ki roti with sarson ka saag, which is the season’s special. Like every year, I’m going to be celebrating Lohri with my family in Punjab. For me any festival is incomplete without wearing ethnic clothes. I am a proud Punjabi. When it comes to Punjabi suits, I’m a fan of the authentic Patiala salwar kameez. I wish everyone a Lohri filled with happiness, joy and prosperity.

— Ankita Sharma, actress

Ethnic flavour is her preference

Lohri brings great energy, cheer and celebration for me. It’s an occasion to get together with the family and loved ones, and spend time with the bonfire. While we are grooving to the thumping beats of the dhol and adding memories, we also reflect and are ready to bid adieu to winter. We thank God for the blessings and good times, being dressed up in the traditional attire and munching on Lohri specials. This year, I am celebrating with my family in Mohali. I will dress up in traditional attire and look forward to dancing on Punjabi beats around a bonfire. I shall also prepare kheer for the family. I have invitations for first Lohri celebrations of the newborns from near and dear ones. It is substantially significant for me to dress up in ethnic clothes for Lohri as it makes me feel complete, ready and vibrant for the festival. I also have fond memories of dressing up in the ethnic outfits during the Lohri celebrations during my graduation and Masters years in Panjab University, Chandigarh. I am looking forward to sharing the joy of the festival with the needy and underprivileged people through my

Dream Buds Foundation. — Diljott, actress

Flaunting his best

Lohri means togetherness with friends and family, gorging on mungphali, rewari, gajjak; dancing and singing Sundar Mundriye. I like to flaunt the best of my clothes on Lohri. It charges me up and motivates me to explore more. I appreciate that a lot of people are celebrating the Lohris of newborn girls too, signifying that the festival is equally important for a girl as it is for a boy. — Kanwalpreet Singh, actor

Treasure trove of memories

Being a Sardarni and having been born and brought up in Punjab, Lohri holds a huge significance for me. On the eve, I sit around a bonfire with family and sing songs. During the day, I like to help underprivileged kids in whatever way possible. Now that I am the brand ambassador of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, I have more opportunity to visit various destitute homes and de-addiction centres to help those in need. I usually dress up according to the occasion, but Lohri gives me an opportunity to don my original Punjabi costumes. Ethnic-wear always reminds me of my grandma’s sandook (box). Whenever I used to open it, I was fascinated with her beautiful collection. I have treasured some of them.  – Samaira Sandhu, Actress

All about vibes

Like everywhere, I celebrate Lohri with a bonfire, good food and dance! When in Chandigarh, the flavour is fully Punjabi while in Mumbai we have some events to attend or sometimes I am hosting. I will be taking to the stage at a Lohri event in Mumbai this time and inviting industry friends. Meanwhile, your outfit can make or break your vibe! Nothing can beat a classy simple kurta pyjama, but if you can experiment and carry Indo- Westerns with different colours, why not? Celebrate with your loved ones, make new friends and enjoy our culture to the fullest.

– Karan Singh Chhabra, Actor

We are two sisters. Not only was Lohri celebrated for us, but our parents also guided us to reach out for true happiness. We ensure the same for our daughter. — Sakshi Sawhney, DC Amritsar

Lohri is family time for me.The festival reflects the warmth of connection. I try to treasure all that

I can. — Avneet Kaur Sidhu, Zonal AIG (CID), Bathinda