Lohadi Festival, a significant festival of
Himachal Pradesh, is celebrated at the end of the month of Pausha. Offerings are made to fire god and a part of the offerings is distributed among the participants.
One month prior to this festival, the field workers go from house to house singing Lohadi songs, which are collectively known as Lohkadiyan. The people welcome them and give gifts of food grains.
On the night of the festival, one of the boys dressed up as deer prances while his companions sing Harin or deer songs. It lasts for the whole night. Outside the house, a bonfire is built, which is fed with jaggery, sesame, rice, and radishes. A sweet and savory delicacy known as Babru is also prepared.
The next day is Makar Sankranti, during which the girls sing songs of blessings known as Rajde. The unique feature of this festival is that people bathe and eat a meal of khichadi, which is prepared by cooking rice and pulses together. The married daughters are also invited for this ritual meal. Some of this khichadi is kept aside for the forefathers. In some areas, young girls wear garlands made of dry fruits around their necks.
