NRIs celebrate Lohri with zeal

Lohri has become one of the most widely celebrated festivals among Punjabi NRIs in countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia, second only to Diwali.

The festival, traditionally marking the end of winter in North India, is being joyfully celebrated by Punjabi families abroad, with natives of these countries increasingly joining in the festivities.

In localities with large Indian communities, departmental stores have begun prominently displaying traditional Lohri items like sesame seeds, peanuts, gachak, and materials for bonfires. Sudhir Kalia, an NRI settled in Canada, shared that nearly every Punjabi family in his area celebrates Lohri, whether individually or together.

“Though Lohri marks the conclusion of winter in India, the weather is not a concern for us abroad,” Kalia explained, adding that many families still travel to Punjab to celebrate the festival.

Dr. Jasmine Punj from Melbourne noted that this year was special, as Victorian families joined the celebrations hosted by Punjabi families in her neighbourhood. “They not only joined the festivities but also brought food and cardboard for the bonfire,” Punj said, praising the local interest in Indian traditions.

In Brampton, Sikandar Singh Jartauli, a retired teacher, commended the efforts of community-based organisations in British Columbia that had organised Lohri and Makar Sankranti celebrations, emphasising these as sacred festivals for all Punjabis, regardless of caste or creed.

A similar trend was observed in the United States, where the festival was celebrated with great enthusiasm both individually and in religious communities.