Lohri exclusive khajoor already getting off the shelves

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 8

The quintessential Punjabi festival of Lohri is around the corner and it is all about dhol, bonfire, heaps of peanuts, khajoor and roof-top kite-flying competitions in the holy city. With the spirits high, Amritsaris are ready to celebrate Lohri with 'Sundar mundariye' special over dhol beats, gorging on 'til bhugga' and heaps of peanuts and setting the temperature higher with bonfires. Following the traditions of Lohri, the holi city has two of its favourite things in place for the day, kites and savouries.

Exclusive to the city and its Lohri celebrations, the now famous and the most-enjoyed festive savoury is the khajoor. Made only for the festival and available in the city, khajoors made from flour and ghee are something to die for. ?These come at a price of Rs 300 per kg and are only available for Lohri. They are a part of traditional delicacies for the festival,”? says Kaushal, working at a popular sweet shop in the city.

Another sweet-shop owner at Mata Lal Devi Mandir says that they make fresh lots of khajoor throughout the day because it sells off the shelf sometimes within hours. “We make at least 10 to 12 lots of the sweet as everyone buys it during this time,” says Ram Swaroop, the owner of the shop.

Other counterparts like 'til bhugga', 'rewaris', peanuts and stacks of dry fruit-filled jaggery, too, are worth drooling over. Now for the bonfire, this is the other good part about Lohri celebrations. Keeping up with the festive spirits and traditions, most citizens stick to community Lohri bonfires around the city. From barbeque to 'sarson ka saag' and 'gajak' to 'gajjar ka halwa' — the Lohri savouries are in great demand during these parties. Steaming paneer tikkas, pakodas, coupled with local favourites like khajoors and 'til bhugga' are enough to keep the party alive. Lohri makes it for a perfect time to have a bonfire party. And since now the mercury level, too, has dropped considerably, one can enjoy over some sizzling snacks and singing the Dulha Bhatti song.