Ep 36: Hindu Festivals - Lohri

Ep 36: Hindu Festivals - Lohri

Author: Hindu Parenting January 12, 2024 Duration: 50:28

The Lohri episode features a conversation around stories and lived experiences from the Punjab area of India. One of our guests is Charu Uppal ji, media scholar and storyteller. You can find her articles at charuuppal.substack.com

The word Lohri comes from Loh which means ‘flame’. As the name suggests, the Lohri tradition involves a bonfire symbolising energy, hope and renewal.

Listen to the beautiful story of Dulla Bhattiwaala and the origin of Lohri. The story lives on in the form of a ballad singing tradition called Vaar.

Listen to the original Punjabi song of Dulla Bhattiwala here.

Here are the lyrics and the English translation of the song.

You can find more songs related to Lohri here.

Many beautiful traditions are slowly going out of fashion as we adopt a uniform Halloween-type culture these days. Watch the folk tradition of going from house to house singing songs and collecting treats.

Our festival podcasts bring out the cultural unity of Bharat (India). Lohri as celebrated in Punjab has an amazing similarity with Bhogi celebrated in the Southern Telugu states, which we covered last year during Makara Sankranti.

Listen to our Bhogi/Sankranti podcast from last year here.

Please listen to the podcasts, watch the video links and involve your children in the celebrations so that we can keep our diverse festivals and traditions alive!

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Finding your footing as a parent within a rich cultural tradition can feel both deeply meaningful and surprisingly complex. The Hindu Parenting Podcast sits with you in that space, offering thoughtful conversations that go beyond simple advice. Each episode explores the everyday realities of raising children while consciously nurturing their connection to Hindu values, philosophy, and heritage. You’ll hear from parents, educators, and community members sharing their personal journeys, practical challenges, and small victories. The discussions might cover how to naturally introduce concepts like dharma or seva into family life, navigate festivals and stories in a modern context, or foster a genuine sense of identity and belonging. This isn’t about dogma, but about building a thoughtful, resilient framework for your family. Hosted by Hindu Parenting, the podcast serves as a companion for those wanting to raise informed, grounded children who feel a sense of pride and continuity as part of a living civilization. Tune in for authentic dialogue that acknowledges the questions as much as it seeks answers, all centered on the real-world work of nurturing the next generation.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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