Lohri Festival

The Directorate of Tourism, Jammu in association with District Administration Jammu/Samba, JKAACL and Raghunath Bazaar Businessmen Association is organizing Lohri Festival on 12th January, 2024 at Raghunath Bazaar, Jammu and at Samba Fort from 4:00 PM onwards. Lohri is derived from the word “Loi”, who was the wife of kabir Ji, who is said to be the great saint. While some people believe that it originated from the word “Loh” which is a device used for making chapattis. In some parts of the state, people also believe that the festival’s name originated from the name of the sister of “Holika”, who survived the fire while Holika herself died. Besides that, some people also believe that that the word Lohri originated from the word “tilorhi” which comes from the combination of the words rorhi and til. This festival is celebrated as the harvest festival and on this day people light bonfire, sing and dance in joy to pay respect to the Dulha Batti.Lohri in Jammu is special because of various additional traditions associated with it like Chajja-making and dancing, Hiran dance, preparing Lohri garlands. Young children prepare a replica of peacock which is known as Chajja. They carry this Chajja and then go from one house to other house celebrating Lohri. In and around Jammu, special Hiran dance is performed. Selected houses which have auspicious ceremonies prepare eatables. Children wear special garlands made of groundnuts, dry fruits and candies on Lohri day. This year Lohri Festival celebration by Directorate of Tourism, Jammu shall include performances depicting local folk dances, local folklore and local songs through Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art and Culture languages, Dogra Food Cuisines, Departmental stalls of Handicrafts, Handlooms etc. and has been organized to showcase and celebrate the rich traditional and cultural value of the Jammu Region.