Lohri 2026: 13 January or 14 January? Check Correct Date, Timings, Tithi, Puja Muhurat, Samagri, Rituals & All

Lohri, one of North India's most vibrant and widely celebrated festivals, marks the end of winter and the beginning of longer days. Rooted in ancient folklore and agrarian traditions, the festival is celebrated to honor agricultural abundance, the sun and fire, while bringing families and communities together in joyous celebration. Traditionally, it has been a time for farmers to offer gratitude for a good harvest and seek blessings for prosperity in the year ahead.

Lohri 2026: 13 January or 14 January: When is Lohri? Check Correct Date, Timings, Tithi and Muhurat as Per Bikrami Calendar

In 2026, Lohri will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 13, with the Lohri Sankranti moment (muhurat) occurring at 03:13 PM on Wednesday, January 14, according to Drik Panchang. The date is determined by the ancient Bikrami calendar, which integrates both lunar and solar cycles. Devotees planning puja or special ceremonies often follow this muhurat to ensure that offerings are made at an auspicious time.

Lohri Puja Samagri, Rituals and Tradition

The hallmark of Lohri celebrations is the lighting of bonfires made from wood and cow dung cakes, typically in open spaces or outside homes. Devotees gather around the blazing fire, offering traditional items such as sesame seeds, jaggery, gajak, rewri and peanuts into the flames as a mark of devotion.

As part of the ritual, participants perform parikrama, circling the bonfire, and sing folk songs that reflect the cultural ethos of Punjab and surrounding regions.

Families celebrate with lively Bhangra and Gidda dances around the fire, while children and adults alike enjoy festive delicacies prepared specifically for the occasion. The festival is deeply connected to agricultural traditions, with prayers offered to Agni, the fire god, and Surya Devta, the Sun god, seeking blessings for a bountiful harvest and prosperity in the coming year.

History and Significance of Lohri

Lohri has roots in ancient folklore and agrarian traditions, historically celebrated by farmers to mark the end of the winter solstice and the harvest of sugarcane and other crops. The festival holds particular significance in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and parts of Jammu, where it is associated with both gratitude and community bonding.

Over time, Lohri has evolved to symbolize more than just the harvest. The bonfire represents warmth, light, and renewal, while the festival itself celebrates the retreat of the harsh winter and the arrival of longer, sunnier days. It is also a time for families to rejoice in togetherness, share seasonal foods, and pass on age-old customs to younger generations.

Lohri Special Foods and Festive Customs

During Lohri, households prepare and share traditional foods like jaggery-based sweets, sesame seed laddoos, rewri, popcorn, and peanuts, which are also offered to the sacred fire. Sugarcane stalks, symbolizing abundance, are often distributed among family members and neighbors.