Come mid-January and every year the localities, like Sikh Colony and the area near Gurudwara in Hiran Magri Sector 11 in Udaipur start buzzing with lots of festive activities on the occasion of Lohri, the big festival of Sikhs.

The month of Paush is extremely cold and as a protection from cold, people light fires and warm them. It is said that their ancestors used to recite a mantra which raised their body temperature. Through this mantra, Lord Surya was invoked to give the earth so much heat that it didn’t freeze. Those who recited this mantra in front of fire were protected from severe cold.

In a way, the Lohri fire is like an offering to a yagna to appease Lord Surya. The high flames of Lohri send a message to the lord.

Some people say that in the olden times, the lightning of fire in an open space was a measure to keep away wild animals from entering human habitations.

Through prayers addressed to Lohri fire, the wish for the welfare of the family is expressed. While offering ‘til’ in the fire, requests for male child are made. One of the songs sung on this occasion says that a “devrani would get many sons as the number of tils (sesame) offered by jethani to the sacred fire”.

Lohri is celebrated for the sake of new born babies and newly-wed sons. Gud (Jaggery) and Til are distributed among relations, neighbors and friends. Perhaps, that’s why the festival is also called Tilodi (til + rodi i.e.Gud)

Prayers are offered to Lohri to keep the chulha and tava burning which means that there is prosperity in the home. New crop is harvested on this occasion. It is not only festival of winter, but also of newlyweds. Gifts are sent to family of daughter’s in-laws.

Before lightning of Lohri fire, the place is thoroughly cleaned and pure water is sprinkled there. Then, the boy for whose marriage Lohri is to light is called. He makes a small circle at the place with a shovel and scratches the space with it to clean it. A five-foot high heap of uple (dried cow dung) is made. In the hollow space are put pieces of wood, the men and women dressed in their best assemble there and lit the sacred fire.

When flames come up, they throw til and bow to fire. Rewadis are distributed as Prasad, till late in the night, singing and dancing goes on. People get up early in the morning, take bath and take home some ashes which are believed to bring security in life, welfare of family and happiness.

The festival is celebrated at Gurudwara Sachhakhand and all other Gurudwaras with great gusto. In the evening, various fascinating programs are held, there are special kirtans, and on the next morning there is a Langar.