By Balwant Sanghera
Lohri is a cultural celebration mainly celebrated in the Punjab and by Punjabis around the globe. Originally, it was celebrated on the winter solistice, being the shortest day and the longest night of the year. However, it gradually shifted towards early January to coincide with the beginning of the harvesting of sugarcane crop. The old tradition still continues in the Punjab. However, overseas, Punjabis have modified it greatly. For example in Canada, in view of the foeticides, and as a symbol of equality between boys and girls it is considered as a major celebration for the community. The individuals and organizations working for the noble task of equality must be commended for their efforts in this regard. Every child, whether it is a boy or a girl is a gift from God and his/her birth must be celebrated with equal enthusiasm. During the past week there have been a lot of celebrations in this regard. Same was true for India Cultural Centre of Canada’s Gurdwara Nanak Niwas (#5 Road) in Richmond.
Wednesday, January 13 was more or less the official day for Lohri. At Gurdwara Nanak Niwas, a number of volunteers, mostly a lot of dedicated women closely associated with the Gurdwara, started getting ready for Lohri a few days earlier. They ordered boxes and boxes of groundnuts (Moongfali) and rarian. Once the supplies were at the Gurdwara they started preparing hundreds of bags to hand out to the members of the congregation on January 13. As the day arrived, these enthusiastic volunteers got busy preparing langar for the congregation. Eight families, who were blessed with newborn babies-boys and girls- joined in the celebration by making generous financial donations. It was great to see more than 1,500 people join in the celebration on January 13. It looked like a festival atmosphere all around the Gurdwara.
Our priests lead by head granthi Giani Tarlochan and Giani Rangeel Singh, accompanied by Giani Shyam Singh and Manjit Singh enchanted the congregation with their melodious kirtan and recitation of the Gurbani. Gurdwara’s General Secretary Mohan Singh Sandhu did an excellent job in managing the stage. After the kirtan, the congregation savoured delicious vegetarian langar and then enjoyed the bonfire at the back of the Gurdwara premises. On behalf of the Gurdwara Management Committee, India Cultural centre of Canada’s Gurdwara Nanak Niwas President Sohan Singh Basi would like to thank all of the volunteers, the ladies who did so much, member of the congregation and the participating families for making the Lohri celebration such a great success.
Balwant Sanghera is a Retired School Psychologist and Community Activist. He is also a member of the Gurdwara Management Committee.
