Shivaan's first Lohri Celebration

BALDEV & Shushma

Sharma celebrated their grandson Shivaan's first Lohri at their home with friends and family on 14th January 2023. The first Lohri of a newborn is a special occasion in which all friends and family join to celebrate. It is performed in the later part of the evening. Invitation cards can be sent for this function, depending on how one wants to celebrate.

The event is observed at the parental home of the child in the presence of close relatives, friends and well-wishers. All the guests and relatives bring gifts for the baby and the new mother. In addition, the child’s maternal grandparents also give gifts to the child’s paternal relatives.

On the first Lohri of a newborn baby, the mother, attired in heavy clothes and wearing much jewellery with mehndi on her hands and feet, sits with the baby in her lap. Then, the family does the presentations. The mother-in-law and father-in-law, of course, give many presents in the form of clothes and cash. Others do so according to their relationship with the couple and their capability and desire.

The maternal grandparents also send gifts of clothes, sweets, rayveri, peanuts, popcorn and fruits.

Lohri is then celebrated with traditional dancing and singing around the bonfire. 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 popcorn, 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 and sweets are distributed. This symbolises a prayer to Agni for abundant crops and prosperity. Finally, an elaborate traditional Punjabi dinner is served, comprising shaahi paneer, ma ki daal, makki ki roti, sarson ka saag etc.