When is Lohri in 2016?

The date of Lohri in 2016 is on Wednesday, January 13th.

What is Lohri?

Lohri is a Punjabi midwinter festival that occurs in January, a few weeks after the winter solstice. In times past, the celebration took place on the solstice, but it has been moved over time to coincide with the last day of the month in which the winter solstice occurs (on the Bikrami calendar). A bonfire is often the central attraction of the Lohri festival, warming a cold day. Men and women typically attend separate bonfire ceremonies, each with different traditional dances.

People pray and make offerings, throwing small pieces of food into the fire with the blessing "May honor come and poverty vanish!" Children celebrate a version of "trick or treat", traveling from house to house to demand coins and sweets. The following day, Maghi is celebrated and those of the Hindu faith may give to charities and wash in the Ganges River as a ceremonial cleansing for the coming year.