Lohri first festival for the Shiekh or Punjabi community of city will be the family affair only was the opinion of many members of Punjabi community of city. Kukku Marwaha, President of Nagpur Truckers Unity said that the fear of COVID-19 and the guide lines by the Government is strictly followed by our community people and so majority of the people are celebrating it with the family members only.
Honey Bhandari, informed that It is believed by many that the festival commemorates the passing of the winter solstice.” Lohri marks the end of winter, and is a traditional welcome of longer days and the sun’s journey to the northern hemisphere by Sikhs and Hindus in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent.”
Tejinder Singh Renu, President – Nagpur Residential Hotels Association (NRHA) said, “Lohri is one of the most commonly celebrated festivals in India. It’s good to see in Nagpur that instead of grand Lohri parties, most of the families are celebrating it in small numbers taking into consideration the pandemic. Covid has certainly slowed everything down, however enthusiasm of such festivals brings some cheerful moments of fun & enjoyment. Lohri revives traditional folk songs, dance and food; which is also colliding with auspicious start time of vaccination in India. My greetings to all on Lohri with prayers & wishes for safe & prosperous months ahead”.
Many were of the opinion that the origin of the festival was from the Himalayan mountain region where the winters are colder than the rest of the country. After weeks of harvesting the Rabi crop, people would gather around a bonfire and celebrate the passing of the winter solstice and the promise of the coming spring season. The festival is also dedicated to the sun deity, Surya, as on this day the devotees expect it’s returning after the cold winter days and ask it for warmth and sunshine.
