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The Golden temple in Amritsar, Punjab, witnessed a heavy rush of devotees on the occasion of Lohri on the eve of Makar Sankranti. Makar Sankranti usually falls on the 14th of January every year according to the Solar Calendar. It coincides with the beginning of the Sun's northward journey (the Uttarayan) when it enters the sign of Makar (the Capricorn). This day is celebrated as a festival right from the times of the Aryans and is an auspicious day for the Hindus all over India. Makara Sankranti is also celebrated throughout India as a harvest festival. This is the period when the winter begins to recede, making way for the summer. It is the time the farmers bring home their harvest. On this day, people eat "Khichadi" made of rice and dal. On Sankranti "til" or sesame seeds are given great importance, for in this season it is considered to have special nutritive and medicinal qualities. Many people take bath at Prayag, near Allahabad, at the meeting point of the Ganges and the Yamuna. A devotee at the Golden temple said, "I pray to god that everybody should stay happy and there should be peace". "It is the day when we pray for those who laid their lives for the freedom of the country and the religion. Everybody is praying. People from far away places have come here to take the holy dip", said Jaswinder Singh, Information Officer, Golden Temple. In Punjab, as also in other northern Indian areas,on Lohri bonfires are lighted in the night, and people dance to the tune of the drums, and sing folk songs around the fire. Lohiri is celebrated in cities, towns and villages alike, with great fervour d enthusiasm.
On Wednesday (January 12) on the eve of Lohri people from all walks of
life turned out in large numbers to participate in the celebrations. For
peasants, Lohri marks the beginning of a new financial year because on
this day they settle the division of the produce of the land between themselves
and the tillers. In the evening, girls bring firewood and dung cakes and
arrange them in a neat pyramid almost five feet high and then light it.
Menfolk gather round the bonfire and dance merrily. Eatables such as dry
fruits, popcorn, seasame seed and molasses are first thrown in the fire
and later served to everyone. Since the Punjabi word for sesame seed is
"til" and for molasses "rorhi", the festival is called "Tilori". People
bring these items in plenty from their homes. In the villages, enthusiastic
boys and girls go to various houses and seek donations for the bonfire
festival, which mainly includes eatables. On Lohri day, everyone gets
into their best clothes. Gifts or sweets are exchanged. The parents also
give presents to their newly married daughters. Many cultural programmes
and fairs have been organised for this year's Lohri festival in Punjab.
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