As January 13, 2025 approaches, the northern states of India gear up to celebrate Lohri, a popular Punjabi folk festival. The festival marks the end of winter solstice and is celebrated with bonfires, traditional dances, and delicious food. Indiaexpress.com has curated a list of wishes and greetings to spread the joy of the festival with loved ones. So, let the Lohri bonfire bring you everlasting joy and may your life be filled with the sweetness of gur and the crunch of popcorn.
Lohri, a traditional Punjabi festival, is celebrated across northern India to mark the end of winter solstice and the arrival of spring. Falling on January 13th, Lohri is a joyous occasion filled with bonfires, traditional dances, and delectable treats.
Lohri's origins date back to ancient times, with its roots in the worship of Agni, the fire god. It is believed that the festival originated in the state of Punjab, where people would gather around bonfires to ward off the cold and evil spirits. Over time, Lohri became associated with the harvest season and the hope for a prosperous future.
The central ritual of Lohri is the bonfire. People gather around the fire, sing folk songs, and dance the traditional Gidda and Bhangra. The bonfire is a symbol of renewal and represents the end of winter.
Food plays an integral role in Lohri celebrations. Sesame seeds, jaggery, and popcorn are considered auspicious and are often distributed among loved ones. Other common treats include til laddus, gajak, and sarson ka saag with makki roti.
1. What is the significance of sesame seeds and jaggery in Lohri? A: Sesame seeds and jaggery are symbols of prosperity and good luck. They are often distributed among loved ones as a gesture of blessings.
2. Why is fire worship an important part of Lohri? A: Fire is considered sacred in Punjabi culture and is believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune.
3. What is the traditional attire worn for Lohri? A: For women, the traditional attire is a Phulkari suit, which is a vibrant dress embroidered with intricate designs. For men, it is a Kurta-Pajama or a Lungi.
4. What are some popular Lohri songs and dances? A: Some popular Lohri songs include "Sunder Mundriye Ho" and "Lohri Di Aayi." The Gidda and Bhangra are traditional dances performed during the festival.
5. How is Lohri celebrated in different regions of Punjab? A: While the core traditions remain the same, there are slight variations in the way Lohri is celebrated in different regions of Punjab. In some areas, people perform a ritual called "Lohi," which involves setting fire to a stack of dried cow dung. In other regions, Lohri is associated with the worship of Dulla Bhatti, a legendary figure who is said to have saved young girls from being sold as slaves.
Anant Ambani, the son of India's richest man and Director of Reliance Industries Limited, is currently on a spiritual journey, walking barefoot from his residence in Jamnagar to the Dwarkadhish Temple in Gujarat. He is accompanied by spiritual leader Baba Bageshwar and has been chanting prayers and stopping at various temples along the 140-kilometre route. Despite facing significant health challenges throughout his life, Ambani's devotion to Lord Dwarkadhish and his actions towards animal welfare have inspired many. His journey has also garnered attention from devotees, who have flocked to greet and offer their blessings.
The Bhaili Mahila Mandal in Jamshedpur, India, celebrated the 13th Gangaur Sindhara Festival at Rajasthan Bhavan with great enthusiasm. Led by President Kavita Agarwal, women from the Marwari community participated in competitions such as Gangaur Antakshari and Rajasthani folk dance, as well as a traditional attire contest and Gangaur decoration contest. Renowned singer Mahavir Agarwal Munna performed Rajasthani and Gangaur songs, and esteemed guests honored the winners of the competitions. The event also recognized various Marwari women for their contributions to the community, including Rupa Jain for her life-saving liver donation and social media influencer Priya Sharma for promoting Marwari traditions online. The Bhaili Mahila Mandal hopes to continue celebrating the vibrant Marwari culture through similar events in the future.
The Indian film industry reels in shock and sorrow as veteran actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar, known for his powerful patriotic roles, passes away at the age of 87. Renowned actors such as Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn offer heartfelt tributes, recounting how the late actor had a profound influence on their careers and instilled a deep sense of love and pride for the country. The legacy of 'Bharat Kumar' will forever live on in Indian cinema and the hearts of his fans.
Indian cinema mourns the loss of veteran actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar, who passed away in Mumbai at the age of 87. Known for his patriotic films, Kumar was also known for his outspoken nature and took a stand against actors who disrespected him. In a case that grabbed headlines, Kumar sued Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan for disrespecting him in their film 'Om Shanti Om', but eventually withdrew the case due to lack of remorse from the defendants. The actor's passing has left a void in the industry and his cremation will be attended by close friends and family on Saturday.
The Indian entertainment industry mourns the loss of veteran actor Manoj Kumar, known for his patriotic roles, as he passes away at 87 in Mumbai due to heart-related complications and liver cirrhosis. Prime Minister Modi pays tribute to the "icon of Indian cinema" and his works that ignited a spirit of national pride and will continue to inspire generations. With a career spanning over five decades, Mr Kumar's legacy lives on in the memories of his family, fans, and admirers.
Salman Khan's fans are once again making their voices heard on social media as they trend two tags on Twitter/X. The first tag, "Salman Change Your Team" is directed towards the superstar, urging him to work with more creative and deserving directors instead of relying on his current team. The second tag, "Salman PLS Shelve Ganga Ram" is a plea for the actor to reconsider his upcoming film with Sanjay Dutt, which was confirmed last week. Fans are urging him to work with directors like SS Rajamouli and Lokesh instead of his current team.
In 2007, actor Manoj Kumar expressed his offense towards a particular scene in the film Om Shanti Om, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone. The scene featured Shah Rukh's character parodying Manoj Kumar's iconic face palm gesture. Shah Rukh eventually apologized and the scene was removed from the film, but the issue resurfaced in 2013 when Om Shanti Om was released in Japan with the scene intact. Manoj Kumar then took legal action, seeking damages of Rs 100 crore. The case shed light on the thin line between parody and offense in the film industry.
Veteran actor Manoj Kumar, known for his patriotic films, passed away at the age of 87 in Mumbai. The news of his passing away broke this morning and tributes have been pouring in on social media. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, and trade analyst Taran Adarsh, among others, shared their condolences and memories of the legendary actor. Kumar's cinematic legacy will live on through his iconic performances and films.
Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani, embarked on a 12-day journey from Jamnagar to Dwarka as a spiritual experience before his 30th birthday. During his padyatra, he came across a van carrying chickens for slaughter and decided to purchase and set them free. While his actions were praised by many, some criticized his PR team for the alleged hypocrisy. This incident serves as a reminder that faith is about actions, not just words.
Indian film industry mourns the loss of veteran actor and director Manoj Kumar who passed away at the age of 87 in Mumbai. Known for his patriotic films, Kumar was also called "Bharat Kumar" for his association with such movies. He was honoured with the Padma Shri and Dadasaheb Phalke award for his contributions to Indian cinema. His son has confirmed that the final rites will take place tomorrow. Category: Entertainment Title: Indian Film Industry Mourns the Loss of Veteran Actor and Director Manoj Kumar After a long battle with health issues, the legendary Indian actor and director Manoj Kumar has passed away at the age of 87 in Mumbai. Known for his patriotic films, Kumar was also called "Bharat Kumar" for his contributions to the Indian film industry. His son has confirmed that the final rites will take place tomorrow, as the entire industry mourns his loss.