Lohri 2025: Celebrated on January 13, Lohri is a significant harvest festival mainly in North India. Marking the end of winter and the onset of longer days, this festival is traditionally observed on the eve of Makar Sankranti to thank the Sun God and pray for a bountiful harvest.
The festival holds immense cultural importance as families and communities gather around bonfires, sing and dance to the beat of traditional folk music, and savour traditional sweets like rewari and gajak during the celebrations.
Apart from the fun and frolics, Lohri is the perfect time for family and friends to come together and indulge in the scrumptious ‘Lohri Ki Thali.’ Without these traditional dishes that have profound cultural meaning, the celebration of Lohri is incomplete.
Let’s delve into some classic recipes that have been passed down through generations to elevate the celebrations.
This is a quintessential Punjabi dish made with delectable mustard greens. To prepare Sarson da Saag, boil mustard greens, bathua, and spinach leaves until tender.
Saute these boiled leaves with garlic, green chillies, and ginger in mustard oil. Serve it hot with Makki di Roti or corn flour flatbreads. It is made by combining corn flour, water and salt into a pliable dough, which is then flattened and cooked on a griddle.
Another amazing food to try during Lori is Gur ki Roti or jaggery-infused flatbreads. These sweet treats add a delightful touch to Lohri festivities and can be enjoyed on their own or with a dollop of ghee.
To make the dough for it, mix whole wheat flour, a pinch of salt, ghee and grated jaggery. Knead it into a soft consistency and roll out small portions of the dough into round rotis. Cook on a griddle until golden brown and enjoy!
These crunchy, sweet and easy-to-make laddus are a light and filling dessert that is frequently consumed during Lohri celebrations. To make these laddus, all you need is puffed rice (murmura, jaggery and some water.
Start by heating jaggery, add puffed rice while it is hot. Once done, shape the mixture into balls. With its crunchy texture that perfectly mixes with other softer foods on your thali, murmure ke laddu offers variation to your Lohri feast and is liked by people of all ages.
If you’re someone with a sweet tooth, Til Gur Laddu, or sesame and jaggery laddus, are sure to win you over. Made from til (sesame seeds), peanuts, and jaggery, til gur laddu is crunchy and gives out a fine, nutty aroma.
In a pan, roast sesame seeds until golden brown and pour melted jaggery. Now, shape the mixture into a mall round laddus. These bite-sized delights, synonymous with Lohri, are not only delicious but also symbolise the warmth and sweetness of the festival.
Originating from Punjab, Pindi Chole is a spicy and tangy chickpea curry that’s perfect with hot puris or bhature. To prepare this dish, soak chickpeas overnight, boil until tender and set aside.
Now, saute onions, tomatoes and ginger-garlic paste in a pan until golden brown. Add a blend of aromatic spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric and garam masala, along with a touch of dried mango powder.
Pour the boiled chickpeas and let it simmer until the flavours meld together. Trust us, your tummy will thank you for this hearty dish on Lohri night.
You cannot miss out on the goodness of Gajak, a traditional sweet made from sesame seeds, peanuts and jaggery during Lohri celebrations. This easy-to-prepare sweet can be made just by using sesame seeds and melted jaggery.
Simply spread the sesame seed and jaggery mixture on a greased surface, flatten it and let it cool down. Once done, cut it into small square pieces and enjoy the crunchy and sweet delicacy that perfectly complements the festive spirit of Lohri.
