Yesterday was ‘Lohri’, so we went to the local Gurudwara to celebrate.  It was filled to capacity and it was lovely to see all the couples with newborns, plus all the newlyweds, being honored and celebrated.  In addition to the ‘Divan’ (court/congregation of the Guru), with ‘Kirtan’ and ‘Shabads’ (holy hymns) and ‘Hukam’ (Guru’s lesson of the day) obtained from the Sacred Book, there also was the bonfire ceremony where we tossed (as well as ate) sesame seeds, peanuts, ‘rewaries’ & ‘gachak’ (peanut brittle) and popcorn into the fire.  People sang traditional ‘boliyan’ (songs) and danced (performed ‘Bhangra’).  It certainly was very joyous and I am glad that I went.

Apparently, the festival of ‘Lohri’ is always celebrated on January 13th each year (which is unique as it doesn’t follow the traditional lunar calendar).  It celebrates and honors ‘Dullah Bhatti’ who was a dacoit who stole from the rich and gave tor the poor (aka the Robin Hood of Punjab), and most importantly saved young women from the invaders or cruel abductors, who used them to fill their harems or sold them as sex slaves.  He then would get them married and for that reason the festival of Lohri always celebrates the newly weds and newborns.  For these reasons, the most popular song sung during Lohri commemorates him and the lyrics goes as following –

Sunder Munderei. Ho! 
Tera Kaun Bechara. Ho!  
Dullah Bhatti Wala. Ho!
Dullah Dhi Viyahi, Ho!  
Sher Shakar Pai. Ho!
Kuri de Mamme Aaye! Ho!
Unane Churi Kuti, Ho!

My friend also pointed out that this ritual also salutes the fire gods and when we toss the sesame seeds, we call out ‘Udham Aaye, Dalidar Jaye. Dalidar Di Jaad Chule Paye‘ (Energy come, laziness depart.  Roots of laziness gets thrown/burnt in the fire’.  This revelation was amazing as it reminded me of the fire jumping ritual that some of my Persian friends did during their festival for fire (Chaharshanbe Suri) where while jumping over the fire they said something like ‘take away my paleness (my troubles) and give me your redness’.  In that part of the world, do we have common festivals?  Regardless, Happy Lohri everyone!