Lohri...A festival...

Happy lohri to all of you...
When we came to US... with us we brought our rich culture and heritage,even though living here in America where I think people all over the world have come to make their living ,America known as land of opportunities, conspicuous it might sound...but every religion celebrate their festival here...Sikhs in America, a large population celebrates lohri every year ...with zest and vigour,though it usually at weekends when we have parties and get together as per our busy working schedules...
Lohri is little different compared to India where Logs of wood are piled together for a bonfire, and friends and relatives gather around it. They go around the fire three times, giving offerings of popcorns, peanuts, rayveri and sweets. Then, to the beat of the dhol (traditional Indian drum), people dance around the fire. Prasad of til, peanuts, rayveri, puffed rice, popcorn, gajak or till patti and sweets is distributed. This symbolizes a prayer to Agni for abundant crops and prosperity....
......In America we are not suppose to have a big bonfire like India as per US laws and safety hazards as houses here are made of wood , piles of snow makes it even more difficult ...to have a bonfire with freezing rain and temperature being in single digit...its impossible ... so we generally use the fire place and follow the tradition ..in the same manner.. ..
Last year we threw a lohri party ..it was at banquet hall and theme of lohri was exhibited everywhere with phulkari and baskets of all kinds chikki.. .popcorns, peanuts, rayverion on each table with a small candle in the form of bonfire... and all the guests were given baskets of lohri sweets at the end of the party.. ..yes we also sang traditional lohri song..before using a bon fire...
.....Who was dulha bhatti? ....Legendary stories are associated with the brave Dulha Bhatti. He used to rob rich to help the poor and needy. It is believed that Dullah had restored the prestige of an innocent girl whose modesty was outraged by a wealthy Zamindar. There are various versions of the actual story. Some traditions say that Dullah had adopted this girl as his daughter and arranged her marriage in the Jungles of ‘Saandal Bar’. As there was no priest nearby to chant the Vedic Hymns and solemnize the marriage Dullah had lit a bonfire and composed an impromptu song, “Sunder Mundriye Tera Kaun Vichara ! Dullah Bhatti Wala Ho! Dullaeh Di Teeh Viahi Ho! Ser Shakar Payi !”
The bride and the groom were asked to take pheras of the bonfire as Dullah sang this hilarious song...... ....First Lohri is very important for the newly wed and the new born babies as it marks fertility.... During the day, children go from door to door singing folk songs in praise of Dulha Bhatti.... These children are given sweets and savories, and occasionally, money. These collections are known as Lohri, and they are distributed at night during the festival. Some may be offered to the sacred fire. Peanuts, popcorn and other food items are also thrown into the fire as an offering to the God of Fire...
To me the best part of lohri is the winter of India with bonfire to give warmth and sweets along as a treat..which I always looked forward as a teenager...later a festive dinner with cousins and sitting all night with all other going to bed and we atl east a gang of ten to fifteen.. laughing all night at every single joke ..disturbing everyone,I remember once it was a lohri night and we had our regular session of talking and laughing ,one of my uncle who came out of his room at four am ,literally folding his hands as a request to sleep and let them sleep too.......
was very hilarious...... The most famous dish from Punjab,North India. Bread(Roti) made out of corn flour and "Saag" is made out of Mustard Leaves.Home made butter is added for extra flavour