Which Punjabi festival is celebrated in January with bonfires, folk songs, and marking the harvest of Rabi crops?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Solution: The correct answer is Lohri.
Explanation:
☛ Lohri is a famous folk festival celebrated primarily in Northern India, especially in the Punjab region, in the month of January (typically on January 13).
☛ It marks the culmination of the peak winter season, the onset of longer days, and the ripening of Rabi crops such as sugarcane, wheat, and mustard.
☛ A central ritual of Lohri involves lighting a community bonfire at night, around which people perform folk dances like Bhangra and Giddha.
☛ People offer sesame seeds (til), jaggery (gur), rewri, peanuts, and popcorn into the sacred fire as prayers for prosperity and abundance.
☛ The folklore of Dulla Bhatti, celebrated as the Robin Hood of Punjab during Emperor Akbar's reign, is traditionally sung during the festival.
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ Baisakhi: Celebrated in mid-April, it marks the spring harvest of Rabi crops, the Sikh New Year, and commemorates the establishment of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.
☛ Maghi: Observed on the day after Lohri (Makar Sankranti), it commemorates the supreme sacrifice of the Chali Mukte (Forty Liberated Ones) in the Battle of Muktsar.
☛ Teej: A traditional monsoon festival celebrated primarily by women in Northern and Western India, dedicated to Goddess Parvati to welcome the arrival of the monsoon.
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ Which harvest festival of Assam coincides with Lohri and Makar Sankranti in January? → Magh Bihu (Bhogali Bihu)
☛ In which year was the Khalsa Panth founded by Guru Gobind Singh on Baisakhi? → 1699
☛ Which four-day harvest festival is celebrated in Tamil Nadu in the month of Thai (mid-January)? → Pongal
☛ Which folk dance is traditionally performed by women in Punjab during Lohri? → Giddha
☛ Which harvest festival of Kerala commemorates the mythical homecoming of King Mahabali? → Onam