Lohri 2026: Date, significance, why it is celebrated on January 13 and key traditions

Lohri, one of the most widely celebrated winter festivals in North India, is observed every year on January 13, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi. The festival is associated with multiple regional beliefs and traditions and is widely seen as marking the end of winter and the beginning of longer days as the Sun begins its northward movement.

Why Lohri is celebrated on January 13

January 13 marks the last day of the month of Paush according to the traditional Hindu solar calendar. Spiritually, the date signifies the conclusion of the harshest phase of winter and sets the stage for Uttarayan, the northward movement of the Sun, which begins the following day on Makar Sankranti. It is believed that the Sun’s northward journey brings an increase in positive energies on Earth, making Lohri a symbolic transition from cold to warmth and from stagnation to growth.

Origins and beliefs linked to Lohri

There are several beliefs surrounding the origin of Lohri. Some associate the name with Loi, the wife of Sant Kabir, noting that Lohri is pronounced as “Lohi” in rural Punjab. Others trace it to the word “loh,” referring to a thick iron plate used for baking chapattis during community gatherings. Another belief links Lohri to Holika, suggesting that Holika and Lohri were sisters, with Holika perishing in the fire associated with Holi while Lohri survived.

Rituals and traditional celebrations

Sesame seeds (til) and jaggery (rorhi) are central to Lohri celebrations, and some believe the word Lohri evolved from “tilorhi,” a combination of the two. Traditional practices include creating a small image of the Lohri goddess using cow dung, decorating it, lighting a fire beneath it and chanting praises. The main celebration involves lighting a large bonfire at sunset, offering sesame seeds, jaggery and sugar candy to the fire, and gathering around it to sing and dance. In many villages in Punjab, the fire is kept burning continuously using cow-dung cakes, and people take some of the embers home after the celebrations.