Punjab has always been known for the hospitability, honesty and liveliness of its people. Festivals here, as obvious, have always been celebrated with much exuberance and fanfare. The festivities that follow are a reflection of the tremendous zest of the Punjabis. They simply don’t want to let go any opportunity to celebrate and believe in celebrating festivals and rejoicing to the fullest.

The curtain to celebrations rises around mid-January when the sun itself takes a bow as it moves from the southern to the northern hemisphere. According to Indian astrology, the sun at this time of the year enters the Makar rashi (Capricorn), which is regarded as auspicious in India. Hindus all over the country believe that this astral event heralds the awakening of the gods from their long slumber and ushers in the auspicious, six-month period of plenty. The first day of Uttarayan is celebrated with gusto throughout the country, albeit under different names. In Punjab, it is celebrated as Lohri-a festival that is marked by merrymaking around a bonfire, as a symbol of the sun.