The Best Ways To Celebrate Lohri In The USA
Every culture in the world admires the festivals which belong to their heritage. Lohri is one of the most significant cultural festivals celebrated in several states of India. It is one of the main cultural fests of the Punjabis. There are many stories and the significances of this festival for the Punjabi region. However, many people believe that it is celebrated to welcome the spring season where the days become longer.
People around the world also celebrate this festival. It is a time where communities come together to pray for having a prosperous year ahead. Many also search for the upcoming events near me to make the celebration a grand one.
Before we can talk about how Indians celebrates Lohri in the USA; let us talk about how it is observed in Punjab.
Lohri Celebration in Punjab, India
On Lohri, families come together and light a bonfire around which they sing and dance. The munching of seasonal goodies like popcorn, peanuts and sugar cane forms an essential part of the celebrations. Fistfuls of these goodies also find their way into the fire, as an offering to the Sun God, the giver of all life.
You would also find some children going from door to door asking for Lohri prasad as they sing. As per the stories, a good Lohri gives the family a bountiful and joyous year ahead. The complete celebration and ritual of the Lohri festival is a way of thanking God and nature for what they are providing.
Lohri Celebrations in The USA
The people who are living away from Punjab miss their hometown & celebrations. However, with the vast and growing Indian community in the USA, many Indian events are organized. In short, you can easily search for things to do near me and get a great list of upcoming events you can attend.
There are two or three ways how Lohri is celebrated abroad, which has been explaining below. This would help you choose the best event for this day while you look for cultural events near me:
Gathering at Temples
Living abroad and staying in touch with your religion has become more comfortable these days. Some of the main cities in the USA host temples and gurudwaras. On Lohri, people gather in a gurudwara to participate in the ceremony. Here, the priest prays to God and explains the importance of this day to everyone present there. After that, they light a bonfire in the premises. People then gather around to offer peanuts and popcorn to the fire as they take rounds around it praying for prosperity.
When the bonfire session is over, people then gather to have langer or offer langer to those visiting. Mostly, this is called the community lunch in the USA. The food prepared is the traditional Indian meal that includes Kadhi, Sarson da Saag, Makki di roti, rice, kheer (milk rice) or halwa.
Celebrating Lohri Events at Restaurants
During the Lohri festival, some families prefer to gather at Indian restaurants. Usually, these restaurants also prepare a bonfire to allow the visiting families celebrate Lohri.
Other than restaurants, the leading community members in the locality tend to organize cultural events for such occasions. This is so that people away from their land can enjoy the celebrations. These desi events have everything from the prayers and bonfire to a fun and entertainment filled evening. One such event called the Khushiyaan Bhari Lohri is taking place in New Jersey.
This cultural event is a great way to enjoy this festivity & dancing till the late night on the beats of dhol. Moreover, this nearby event offers a great chance to take a break from your busy schedule & share some unforgettable memories with your loved ones.
In short, it’s a vibrant upcoming event full of family fun & large community bonfire. At this event, you would be able to enjoy the traditional rituals and dishes of the festival. Dance to the music and enjoy the Bhangra performances. This is one of the best cultural festivals near me you can search for.
So, be ready to celebrate this festival at one of the best venues in New Jersey! Make your Lohri a great one for you and your family. Buy event tickets online at ApneeCommunity to enjoy the best deals online.
