'Roh di kheer' to kite flying, Lohri celebrated with enthusiasm

From Roh di kheer to kite flying and silver bangles for newborn girls, Lohri was celebrated across the state with traditional fervour.

Roh di kheer is a sugarcane juice pudding, which is served at the community kitchen of the Golden temple in Amritsar in the run-up to Lohri and Maghi.

The delicacy is usually prepared on the last day of “Poh”, the 10th month of the Punjabi calendar. According to tradition, it is served on the first day of the next month (Magh), which is falling on Tuesday this year.

The delicacy is cooked on slow flame, with rice, sugarcane juice and lightly roasted peanuts being the main ingredients.

Golden Temple’s manager Bhagwant Singh Dhangera said, “Every day, 100 to 120 quintals of roh di kheer is being served to the devotees since January 9. It will continue on January 14 too.”

Prof. Amarjit Singh, head of the Centre on Studies in Sri Guru Granth Sahib at GNDU, said the delicacy has a traditional connotation and does not have any religious significance.

Meanwhile, Ludhiana and Jalandhar residents heralded the festival with kite flying.

The bright sunny day with a gentle breeze provided the perfect setting for it.

In Jalandhar, a group of residents celebrated the day at Pushpa Gujral Nari Niketan with homeless girls.

Members of the Trust, including Gurjot Kaur, Neena Sondhi, Navita Joshi and Anuradha Sondhi, brought a wide range of gifts for the girls, who were given warm winter clothes and sweets.

In Bathinda, Gurbachan Singh Seva Samiti Society, Ballo, in collaboration with the village panchayat celebrated Lohri of newborn girls in a unique manner.

During the event, 23 newborn girls were gifted silver bangles and winter clothes.

The event was presided over by village sarpanch Amarjit Kaur. DSP Pradeep Singh from Rampura Phul was the chief guest.

DSP Pradeep Singh performed the ceremonial act of presenting silver bangles to the girls. Baba Gurpreet Singh Ballo, in his speech, remarked that daughters have been accorded great respect in the Guru Granth Sahib and have proven their mettle by breaking records in various fields, including academics and sports.

(With inputs from Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Bathinda and Abohar)