Bonfires, traditional attires mark Lohri festivities
The residents of City Beautiful came together to celebrate Lohri with fervour. Grand festivities were organised at multiple locations, including the Panjab University, PGIMER, city markets, parks and residential areas.
At PU, celebrations were held at the Students Centre(Stu-C) and the Aruna Ranjit Chandra Hall. The Lohri events brought together the varsity’s faculty members, students and staff in a vibrant display of unity and culture.
After lighting the ceremonial bonfire, students and faculty members sang folk songs and grooved on their favourite Punjabi songs.
Different departments and hostelers also marked the harvest festival at their respective hostels by lighting bonfires.
The varsity’s Centre for Women’s Studies and Development, marked the festival on the theme of “Promises and Action for Attaining Gender Equality”. A gender-sensitive rendition of the traditional Lohri Song, ”Dulha Bhatti”, along with specially composed boliyan advocating for women’s empowerment and gender equality, set the tone for the event.
On the occasion, varsity students recited innovative boliyan to tackle gender-based inequalities, and students were gender sensitised, and made aware about burning gender issues.
Rotary Sarai at PGIMER, imbibed the festive spirit by distributing blankers to the underprivileged in collaboration with Infosys.
The celebrations were attended by hospital staff, faculty and patients as well Medical Superintendent Vipin Koushal.
Eslewehere too, the chilly winter evening was brightened by the glow of bonfires, the rhythm of dhol beats, and the aroma of festive delicacies wafting through the air.
Locals distributed sweet treats like rewari, gachak and til laddoos among friends and family, while shopkeepers marked the festival through community gatherings.
The crackling bonfires were accompanied by the joyous singing of traditional Punjabi folk songs like “Sundar Mundriye” that echoed through the evening.
Many residents dressed in vibrant traditional attire added a splash of colour to the celebrations.
Newly-weds celebrating their first lohri could be spotted from afar. Families who welcomed sons and daughters in the past year also celebrated their child’s first lohri in extravagant fashion inviting extended families and friends.