Lohri 2027
A bonfire on the coldest night, and handfuls of sweets for the flames.
Countdown to Lohri 2027
Dates
When is Lohri?
Lohri 2027 falls on Wednesday, 13 January 2027 (expected; it can move by a day).
Lohri falls on the eve of Makar Sankranti, expected on the evening of 13 Jan; it may move to 14 Jan where Sankranti is observed on 15 Jan.
Date checked against events.wayne.edu
| Year | Dates | Length | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 13 January 2026Tue | 1 day | Past |
| 2027 | 13 January 2027Wed | 1 day | Expected |
See every festival by date in the 2026 festival calendar and 2027 festival calendar.
The story
What it is, and why it matters
- Type
- Fire & Flame
- Tradition
- Folk & Dynastic
- Where
- Amritsar, Punjab
- Crowd
- Celebrated across Punjab and by Punjabi communities worldwide
- UNESCO
- Not inscribed
On a cold January night in Punjab, neighbours build a bonfire in the yard, walk around it and throw in sesame, peanuts and popcorn. Then the dhol starts.
Lohri is celebrated on the night before Makar Sankranti, near the end of the coldest part of the Punjabi winter. It marks the turning of the season and the coming harvest of the winter crops, especially sugarcane. Children go from house to house in the days before, singing songs and collecting sweets or small sums of money.
In the evening families and neighbours gather around a fire, offering rewri, gajak, peanuts and popcorn to the flames as they walk around it. A baby's first Lohri or a couple's first Lohri after marriage is celebrated with special warmth, and the evening goes on with bhangra, gidda and food.
Culture
Traditions, food and music of Lohri
Traditions
What actually happens
- The bonfire — lit at dusk and circled while offerings are thrown in.
- House-to-house songs — children sing for treats in the days before.
- First Lohri — big celebrations for newborns and newlyweds in the family.
- Bhangra and gidda — dances for men and women around the fire.
Food
The table, widened
- Rewri, gajak, peanuts and popcorn — eaten and also offered to the fire.
- Sarson da saag with makki di roti, and rice cooked with jaggery or sugarcane juice.
Music
Sound of the crowd
The dhol leads the evening. The best-known Lohri song, 'Sundar Mundriye', tells the story of Dulla Bhatti, and is sung by children at doorsteps and by everyone around the fire.
Religion
Why this date
Lohri is a seasonal festival celebrated by Punjabi Hindus and Sikhs alike, and by many other Punjabis. The fire is honoured as a giver of warmth and plenty, and prayers are made for a good harvest; it is more a community celebration than a temple rite.
History
How it survived
Lohri songs remember Dulla Bhatti, a folk hero of the Mughal era who, in popular memory, rescued girls from being sold and arranged their marriages. The festival is rooted in Punjab's agricultural calendar and is now celebrated by Punjabi communities across India and abroad.
History
How it got here
Lohri songs remember Dulla Bhatti, a folk hero of the Mughal era who, in popular memory, rescued girls from being sold and arranged their marriages. The festival is rooted in Punjab's agricultural calendar and is now celebrated by Punjabi communities across India and abroad.
1500s
Dulla Bhatti
The Punjabi folk hero remembered in Lohri songs lives in the time of Akbar.
Traditional
Winter harvest
The bonfire marks the end of deep winter and the coming harvest.
Today
Diaspora fires
Lohri is celebrated by Punjabi communities in Canada, the UK and beyond.
Travel & practical
Visiting Amritsar for Lohri
Getting there
Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport (ATQ) serves Amritsar; the Shatabdi train links it with Delhi.
Where to see it
Lohri is celebrated in homes, residential colonies and villages. A local invitation is the best way to join.
Practical notes
January nights in Punjab are cold and often foggy, which can delay trains and flights. Pack warm layers.
Plan the trip with free AltFTool tools
FAQ
Lohri: common questions
Straight answers to what people ask most about Lohri.
When is Lohri in 2026 and 2027?
Lohri was celebrated on the evening of Tuesday 13 January 2026. In 2027 it is expected on Wednesday 13 January, the eve of Makar Sankranti, though it may move to 14 January where Sankranti is kept on the 15th.
Why is a bonfire lit on Lohri?
The fire marks the end of the coldest nights of winter, and offerings are thrown in with prayers for a good harvest.
Who was Dulla Bhatti?
A Punjabi folk hero of the sixteenth century, remembered in Lohri songs for protecting young women.
Is Lohri a public holiday?
It is a holiday in Punjab and some neighbouring states, but not a national holiday.
Also in January 2027
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