When is Lohri Celebrated and What is its Significance?

Lohri 2026 holds great significance. It is celebrated every year a day before Makar Sankranti. On this day, people dance and sing around the fire in the evening. Lohri is mainly celebrated in Punjab and Haryana, though it is also celebrated with enthusiasm in other parts of India. Lohri is also observed to celebrate the northward journey of the Sun. Let’s learn when Lohri will be celebrated, the auspicious time for prayers, and its significance.

When is Lohri 2026?

Lohri is celebrated a day before Makar Sankranti every year. Since Makar Sankranti will fall on January 14, Wednesday, Lohri will be celebrated on January 13, Tuesday, in 2026. Note that the Bhadra will end at 3:18 PM on the 13th. This festival is most popular in Punjab and is related to the harvest of Rabi crops. Lohri also marks the northward journey of the Sun. The next day, Makar Sankranti, marks the Sun’s entry into the Capricorn zodiac.

Auspicious Time for Lohri 2026 Worship

On Lohri day, it is considered most auspicious to light the fire during the Pradosh period. The sunset time will be at 5:44 PM. Therefore, the 2-hour window after sunset is the best time for Lohri worship and fire rituals.

Lohri Rituals in 2026

First, gather the firewood and decorate it well.
Sprinkle Gangajal or holy water on the firewood to purify it.
Offer turmeric, kumkum, and rice grains on the firewood.
In the evening, light the fire at the auspicious time and perform the Parikrama around it with everyone.
Offer sesame, jaggery, peanuts, maize, wheat ears, etc., to the fire while performing the Parikrama.
Pray for happiness and peace in your life.
It is believed that on Lohri, children should be exposed to the smoke from the fire to ward off the evil eye and promote health.

Significance of Lohri

Lohri marks the beginning of the days getting longer and the nights becoming shorter. The festival is traditionally associated with the harvest of the Rabi crops. In the evening, people perform Parikrama around the Lohri fire, singing and dancing. Offerings like sesame, jaggery, and gajak are thrown into the fire. Rabi crops are also burned in the fire. The festival celebrates the northward movement of the Sun. On Lohri day, many places fly kites and distribute laddus.