Festivals of Punjab

Lohri - Winter Harvest Festival

Lohri is the sacred winter festival. On the coldest winter nights, the fire of Lohri is lit amidst the fog, mist, and cold waves. People offer jaggery, sesame seeds, gachak, and dry fruits to the fire filling the environment with high-spirited folk music and dance.

This festival marks the days becoming longer & warmer and nights becoming shorter.

• Significance:
  The history of Lohri dates back ages. Some celebrate it to invoke the Sun God by the Lohri songs.
  
  Also, legend has it that the Lohri celebration is to remember the humanitarian Dulla Bhatti who saved Hindu girls from abduction by Mughals. Not to mention, one of their popular theme songs of Lohri talks of the same.
   
• Key attraction:
  The Lohri celebration's main attraction is the bonfire and the folksongs and dance occurring around the fire. People put all their produced winter harvest into the fire alongside distributing it among themselves leading to a grand feast.
  
  That includes traditional dishes such as Makkai di roti, Sarson da saag, Til Rice, etc.
   
• When:
  Lohri takes place on the day of the winter solstice or the last day of the month.
  Lohri 2022: it happened on the 13th of January.

Onam

Conventionally Onam is a major celebration in Kerala. But the cultural convergence of Punjab leads to major Onam celebrations in the region. Not to mention,

The primary objective of it is to bring the Keralites together with those settled in Punjab. Yet again, with passing days the celebration is witnessing more non-Malayalee members.

• Significance:
  It is celebrated to mark the appearance of Vishnu's Vaman avatar, also the homecoming of the mythical demon king Mahabali.
   
• Key Attraction:
  Eventually, this participation of locals adds multi-cultural characteristics to the celebration. The evening comprises Bharatnatyam, Mohininattyam cinematic dance, folk songs, and a showcase of the Keralian heritage.
  
  Not to mention, you can enjoy Onasadhya, the traditional meal of Kerala served on banana leaves on the last day of the festival.
   
• When:
  Onam marks the first month of the Malayalam calendar.
  
  
• Onam 2022:
  Onam will begin on 30th August, Tuesday 2022, and is ending on Thursday 8th September 2022.

Baisakhi – Harvest Festival of Punjab

The harvest festival of Punjab or Baisakhi festival marks the first day of the Sikh New Year. During this time entire Punjab celebrates the returns from the winter labour they invested in.

During this celebration, one can feel the most vibrant colours of true Punjab. Not to mention, you can check out the most authentic Punjabi foods prepared and served during the festival.

So you must visit Punjab during this festive time for a true sense of Sikh hospitality.

• Significance:
  On this day, the 10th Guru, Govind Singh laid the foundation of Khalsa Panth. Meanwhile harvesting the first crop of the year is another sign of the festival.
   
• Key attraction:
  People march through the streets singing out from the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Nagar Kirtan. Additionally, people decorate their houses and wear traditional attires to attend fairs in different parts of the state.
  
  Moreover, the atmosphere fills with the traditional Dhol & folk music with performances of the popular dance form, Bhangra.
  
  
• When:
  Baisakhi, the national festival of Punjab occurs in the middle of April.
   
• Baisakhi 2022:
  It was celebrated on 14th April 2022.

Hola Mohalla

This is the festival celebrating the courage & cerebral competency of the Khalsa Panth. Hola Mohalla is a festival of religious programs, kirtans, martial arts & more.

Furthermore, it asks you to soak yourself in the spiritual vibes of Punjab. Hola Mohalla takes place in Anandpur Sahib & Kiratpur Sahib a day after Holi celebrations in India.

• Significance:
  The significance of the festival is to acknowledge Guru Govind Singh's inception of Khalsa Panth & the poetry of the Sikh poets.
   
• Key attraction:
  Thereby, following the philosophies, act & art of life as taught by the great Sikh Gurus; devotees arrange path and langar.
  
  Furthermore, you get to observe the martial art of Punjab or Gatka, horse riding by Nihangs & other cultural activities.
  
  
• When:
  According to the Gregorian calendar, Hola Mohalla takes place in the month of March. It is the day after Holi & the second day of Chaitra month.
   
• Holla Mohalla 2022:
  18th to 20th March 2022.

Guru Purab

Karwa Chauth

Karwa Chauth is the ultimate celebration of the marital bond. The engaged or married women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the extended health of their partner or husband.

Not to mention, not only Punjab but the whole of India, especially north India celebrate Karwa Chauth.

• Significance:
  The significance of this ritual is to acknowledge the men in their lives. Their support for the woman in providing all things great & as the sole breadwinner of the family.
  
  Therefore, the women beautify themselves to the point of their wedding day.
   
• Key attraction:
  At dawn, they prepare a special breakfast with the help of their mother in laws named Sargi following the fast.
  
  Thereafter, by rituals married & would be married women break the fast only after moonrise. Then they take their first sip of water.
  
  
• When:
  This festival occurs during the fourth day of the diminishing moon fortnight or Krishna Pakkha. It occurs during the last week of October according to the Gregorian calendar.
   
• Karwa Chauth 2022:
  It will be on the 13th of October. 

Basant Panchami

Basant Panchami marks the onset of spring. This festival is to honour the Indian goddess Saraswati, the goddess of music, art, speech, learning, and wisdom.

Not to mention, knowledge and she is among the Tridevis alongside Lakshmi & Parvati. And not only in Punjab, but people across India also celebrate Basant Panchami.

• Significance:
  Goddess Sarawati is worshipped on this day. Devotees consider this day to be favourable for starting a new venture. It is a good day for marrying or buying a new property.
   
• Key attraction:
  Additionally, people celebrate it by flying kites and there is a tradition of wearing yellow clothes to give a vibrant look to this festival.
   
• When: 
  Usually, the festival takes place in February.
  
  
• Basant Panchami 2022:
  It took place on the 5th of February.

Teeyan

Teeyan is the festival that marks the arrival of the monsoon in north India. Teej festival is another name for Teeyan.

Furthermore, it is popular for the traditional women's dance. By which the young beautiful women of Punjab wear colourful & shiny clothes to perform a folk dance.

The women performers ride on swings tied to Teej trees while performing. Furthermore, they pray to God after the ritual and ask for the well-being of their partners.

It occurs all across Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh & Bihar. Even today this festival is as significant as it was before.

• Significance:
  Earlier, the festival was significant for both married men and women. Earlier, women used to celebrate this festival at their paternal home while their husbands were at their workplaces.
  
  The women used to dance and pray for the safe homecoming of their husbands. The tradition signifies the tale of the courage of women as they do not hesitate to sacrifice their lives for their loved ones.
  
  
• Key attraction:
  This festival is as colourful as it can get with the traditional Geedha dance, folk music, and swings.
  
  
• When:
  It takes place in the month of July.
   
  
• Teeyan 2022:
  The date for Teeyan is on 31st July.

Chappar Mela

Chappar Mela is the renowned and spectacular cultural fair in Punjab. The village of Chappar, Ludhiana district organizes the fair henceforth the name.

Not to mention, this fair dates back ages in time. It started approximately 150 years before. And even today the tradition carries on with a large number of people participating.

• Significance:
  The fair takes place on the fourth day of the Bhadra month in the memory of Gugga Pir.
  
  He is a folk deity of the northern Indian regions and another name for him is Gogaji. Furthermore, a warrior hero and also a saint and snake God.
  
  
• Key attraction:
  You can enjoy the local dance, music, and fun activities at the fair. Not to mention, you can also enjoy delicious food.
   
• When:
  The fair takes place every year in the month of September at Ludhiana.
  
  
• Chappar Mela 2022:
  In the month of September.

Jor Mela

Shaheedi Jor Mela is a religious meeting in the memory of the martyred sons of Guru Govind Singh. Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib in the Fatehgarh Sahib District of Punjab hosts the festival.

Moreover, a huge number of religious followers attend the gathering every year prompting the local authorities to make special arrangements.

Not to mention, the Punjab government announces three days of holiday for the Jor Mela.

• Significance:
  Jor Mela is organized to remember the martyred sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
  
  
• Key attraction:
  The devotees recite from the holy book Guru Granth Sahib furthermore a procession follows on the streets. Devotees organize langar and Sangat and distribute them among people.
  
  
• When:
  This occurs every year in the month of December.
  
  
• Jor Mela 2022:
  Jor Mela is about to happen from 25th to 27th December in 2022. 

Tikka

Another name for this festival is Bhai Dooj. The sister puts tikka on the forehead of the brother praying for his long life.

Henceforth, they exchange sweets & gifts and engage in festivity. Moreover, the festival takes place all across India and not only in Punjab during the month of October.

• Significance:
  This festival signifies the bond between siblings especially brothers & sisters.
   
• Key attraction:
  The folks decorate their houses during this festival with lights and candles and wear new clothes. Furthermore, the celebrations include folk music and dance, the family gets together and traditional north Indian delicacies.
  
  Bhai Dooj is the most important bond and the ritual celebrates the true meaning of family duties.
  
  
• When:
  Tikka celebration takes place in Punjab right after Diwali.
  
  
• Tikka 2022:
  This year it is on the 26th of October 2022.

Rural Olympics

Qila Raipur in Ludhiana, Punjab hosts the rural Olympics. It is an amazing village with a love for sports. Located approximately 15 Km from the city of Ludhiana the village holds huge fields of mustard and wheat.

However, in the month of February, the village turns into a sports hub and celebrates recreation.

Moreover, Qila Raipur is famous worldwide for this event earning it the name of rural Olympics. The festival began in 1933 and is a grand affair.

Not to mention, bizarre as well considering the number of games and ways to play them. A huge number of people attend the event every year for three days at a stretch.

Furthermore, the villagers suspend all their activities during this time and participate in the events. Usually, they are male participants coming from all across Punjab and also the neighbouring states.

• Key attraction:
  Besides sports events, traditional folk music, dance and music events also occur side by side. It gives you a vibrantly colourful look into the rural life of Punjab.
   
• When: 
  The event takes place for three days during February and the local authorities announce the dates beforehand.

Conclusion

Thereby, Punjab is diverse, colourful, and high-spirited. The destination welcomes you with arms wide open.

You just need to make sure you visit Punjab right at the time of the festivals to make the most of it. So plan your next vacation to Punjab by marking the dates in your calendar.

The lush greenery, fields of mustard and wheat surrounded by rivers and mountains are sure going to mesmerize you.

Not to forget, the warmth of the local population is breathtaking too. Punjab prospered to this extent due to the educated, friendly, civilized population.

Additionally, the healthy north Indian food and quality of water in the region make it stand out. This surely is enough reason to visit Punjab and take a dip in the lively and spiritual festivals and rejoice in the transition of nature.

So hold your horses no more and pack your bags. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the main festival of Punjabi?

Lohri, the winter harvest festival is the most important in Punjab. It happens during the last day of the month when the winter solstice occurs.

It is an age-old tradition of Punjab in which devotees offer prayers to the sun God & remember Dulla Bhatti, the saviour of women from Mughals.

2. Which is the famous harvest festival of Punjab

Lohri is the famous harvest festival of Punjab and also for the state of Haryana. Since Punjab and Haryana are famous as the breadbasket of India, thereby Lohri has great significance for the people of Punjab. 

Wheat is Punjab's main winter crop. It is sown in October & harvested in March and April.

3. What is the famous festival of Sikh?

There are several major festivals in the Sikh community. Among them, a few important ones can be termed the famous.

That includes Baisakhi, the festival to celebrate Sikh New year on the 13th of April. It is so following the establishment of the Sikh community in 1699. This festival marks the birth of the Khalsa order by Guru Govind Singh.