The Forest Society celebrated Lohri, on 13 January, as the peak of winter season function. This is an occasion to express happiness about crop arrival, which means funds and finance for peasants. India is primarily an agricultural nation and all depends on good crop. So it is some kind of prayer to God for all laziness to go away and His blessings come to us. Similar kinds of functions are celebrated in Karnataka, in Andhra Pradesh it is celebrated as Bhogi and as Pongal in Tamil Nadu. Presently it is an important parental duty to share our cultural values and reasons behind these functions.
It is unfortunate that our children adopt the American culture of Halloween going door to door for contribution, which is primarily a tradition of departed souls. Whereas we have much more delightful tradition for children, going door to door, while chanting, “Sundar mundariye tera kaun bechara ho, dulla bhatti wala ho” to get some contribution from all and if not given out of fun they call, “Hukka ji hukka yeh ghar bhookha” which most probably nobody explained and motivated them since childhood?
There is an old piece of history which established the Lohri tradition but known to select few? Lohri function was originally started by a brave man warrior of northern India Dulla of Bhatti tribe. Initially started to save two poor but beautiful Hindu girls Sundri and Mundri from the hands of Mughal rulers in 16th century and organised their marriage around this fire celebration. Thereafter he continued the mass marriages of Hindu girls to save them from Mughual sardars being sold in many markets during 16th century.
On all times to come the Lohri Fire celebration continued as mass scale marriages of
Hindu Girls for protection.
by Neelam Vishal Malik (201 Ridgewood, The Forest; 98713 00971)
