Across the state of Punjab, communities heralded the arrival of Lohri with a rich tapestry of age-old customs and contemporary acts of kindness that echoed the spirit of unity and renewal.
At the heart of the celebrations was the preparation of Roh di Kheer, a sugarcane juice pudding that has long been associated with the festival’s prelude. Cooked to perfection on a slow flame using rice, sugarcane juice, and lightly roasted peanuts, this delectable treat is an essential part of the ritual observed at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The community kitchen there has been bustling since January 9, serving between 100 to 120 quintals of the pudding daily, according to Bhagwant Singh Dhangera, the temple’s manager. The serving is set to continue on Tuesday, January 14, aligning with the festival of Maghi.
Though cherished for its time-honoured appeal, Roh di Kheer carries more of a cultural than a strictly religious significance. Prof. Amarjit Singh, head of the Centre on Studies in Sri Guru Granth Sahib at Guru Nanak Dev University, noted that while the preparation and serving of this pudding is deeply embedded in Punjabi tradition, its roots are more cultural than doctrinal.
Elsewhere in Punjab, communities found joy in a variety of festive activities that highlighted the season’s refreshing optimism. In both Ludhiana and Jalandhar, residents took to the skies with vibrant kites that danced across the clear, sunny blue backdrop. The playful tradition of kite flying, buoyed by gentle winter breezes, transformed the urban landscape into an aerial exhibition of color and movement.
Adding a unique dimension to the celebrations in Jalandhar, a group of locals gathered at Pushpa Gujral Nari Niketan to extend warmth and care to homeless girls. Organizers from the Trust, including Gurjot Kaur, Neena Sondhi, Navita Joshi, and Anuradha Sondhi, distributed a variety of gifts, ranging from cozy winter clothes to sweet treats, ensuring that the less fortunate could partake in the festive spirit.
In Bathinda’s Ballo, the Lohri celebrations took a heartfelt turn with an event dedicated to newborn girls. Organized jointly by the Gurbachan Singh Seva Samiti Society and the local village panchayat, the ceremony saw 23 newborn girls being honored with silver bangles and winter attire. Presided over by village sarpanch Amarjit Kaur, and graced by DSP Pradeep Singh of Rampura Phul as chief guest, the event underscored the community’s commitment to nurturing and celebrating the new generation. During the ceremony, DSP Pradeep Singh personally presented the silver bangles, while Baba Gurpreet Singh Ballo emphasized in his speech that the respect for daughters, as highlighted in the Guru Granth Sahib, has contributed to their remarkable achievements in various fields, including academics and sports.
This amalgamation of culinary tradition, communal activities, and thoughtful initiatives beautifully captures the essence of Lohri – a festival that not only marks the end of winter but also celebrates the enduring bonds of community, culture, and compassion in Punjab.
