Lohri 2027: Date, Meaning and How to Celebrate the Bonfire Festival

When is Lohri 2027?

Lohri 2027 is on Thursday, January 14, 2027 in India, the evening before Makar Sankranti. In North America the date can fall a day earlier: Drik Panchang's New York calendar lists Lohri on Wednesday, January 13, 2027.

Where	Lohri 2027	Makar Sankranti 2027
India	Thursday, January 14	Friday, January 15
New York (Drik Panchang's US listing)	Wednesday, January 13	Thursday, January 14

What is Lohri?

Lohri is the winter festival of Punjab, kept by both Hindus and Sikhs in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. It marks the last of winter's coldest days and welcomes the longer days ahead, and it gives thanks for the coming harvest. It is often called the Bonfire Festival or the Festival of Farmers.

Why do people light a bonfire on Lohri?

The Lohri fire keeps everyone warm, but it is also an offering: it honors Surya, the sun, and Agni, the god of fire, asking them to look after loved ones. Families walk around the fire and throw in sesame (til), jaggery, peanuts, popcorn and rewri, then share them as prasad.

Where does the name Lohri come from?

Some say the word comes from loh, the large iron griddle on which rotis are made, so Lohri honors the grain those breads come from. Others connect the festival with Dulla Bhatti, a Robin Hood figure of the Mughal era who stole from the rich and gave to the poor; Lohri songs still sing his name.

Lohri and Makar Sankranti

The day after Lohri is Maghi, the start of the new month, which is Makar Sankranti. See Makar Sankranti and the harvest festivals and Pongal 2027.

How to celebrate Lohri in the US

Light a small bonfire or fire pit safely outdoors in the evening, or gather at a community or gurdwara celebration.
Offer til, peanuts, popcorn and rewri to the fire, and share them.
Sing Lohri songs and dance bhangra and giddha.
For a baby's first Lohri or a newlywed couple's first Lohri, families hold a bigger celebration.

Diya, the app, reminds you of festival days and lets you light a diya every day. Diya is available for iPhone. See the Diya app.

Questions people ask

When is Lohri in 2027?

Thursday, January 14, 2027 in India (Drik Panchang for New Delhi and Prokerala). Drik Panchang's New York calendar lists Wednesday, January 13, 2027.

Why is Lohri celebrated?

It marks the end of the coldest days of winter and gives thanks for the coming harvest. The bonfire honors Surya, the sun, and Agni, fire.

Is Lohri a Hindu or a Sikh festival?

Both. Lohri is a Punjabi festival kept by Hindus and Sikhs in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, and by Punjabi families around the world.

What is the difference between Lohri and Makar Sankranti?

Lohri is the bonfire night before Makar Sankranti. The next day, Maghi, is Makar Sankranti itself, when the sun moves into Capricorn.