Lohri 2026: From legends and rituals to food and celebration time

Winter is still hanging around, but the days are slowly getting longer. That’s when Lohri arrives, and suddenly even chilly evenings feel warmer. If you’ve ever joined in, you know it’s not just another festival.

Families step outside, neighbours meet, and everyone gathers around the Lohri fire. Kids run around, elders laugh, and the smell of ghee, roasted peanuts, and popcorn fills the air.

The fire and the rituals

People toss grains, sesame seeds (til), jaggery (gur), peanuts, popcorn, and sugarcane pieces (ganna) into the flames. Each thing has a meaning: til and gur for sweetness in life, peanuts for good luck, popcorn for fun, and sugarcane to thank the earth for a good harvest.

Songs, stories, and Dulla Bhatti

Around the fire, people sing boliyan, the lively Punjabi folk songs. These songs aren’t just music; they tell stories. Many talk about Dulla Bhatti, a hero from Punjab who, according to legend, rescued girls from injustice during the Mughal era. Kids and adults sing about his cleverness, bravery, and how he cared for the poor. He’s often called the Punjabi Robin Hood, and the energy from the singing makes the festival feel alive.

People also dance Bhangra and Gidda, clapping hands, stamping feet, and sometimes just improvising along. Even if you don’t know the steps, the joy spreads quickly. Everyone, from toddlers to grandparents, gets pulled into the rhythm.

Who celebrates

Lohri is mostly celebrated in Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and western Uttar Pradesh. Traditionally, it’s a Sikh and Hindu festival, but over time it has grown bigger.

Neighbours, friends, and even people who don’t follow the traditional religions join in. It’s really about community, togetherness, and happiness.

When is Lohri 2026

This year, Lohri falls on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. According to Drik Panchang, the Lohri Sankranti moment is at 3:13 PM on January 14, and Makar Sankranti is the very next day, Wednesday, January 14.

Food and sharing

Food is a big part of Lohri. Families enjoy sarson da saag, makki di roti, gajjak, and rewri.

Kids especially love til laddoos and pieces of gur. Many people share these with neighbours or friends, sometimes just a little packet to spread joy and good luck.

Lohri is really about people…

When you’re at Lohri, it’s not just about the fire or the food. It’s about everyone around you. Families come together, kids run and play near the fire while someone keeps an eye on them, friends join in the dancing, and neighbours hand out sweets with a smile. It’s one of those moments where you actually pause and just enjoy being with people.Images: Canva (for representative purposes only)