The bonfire is the main aspect of a Lohri celebration, so make sure you have plenty of firewood on hand. The bigger the bonfire, the better the celebration!
To remove grass, water the area 1 to 2 days in advance. You don’t want to work in mud, but it’ll be easier to dig out moist grass and soil. Use a spade or shovel to dig away vegetation and, if necessary, loosen stubborn clumps with a spading fork, hoe, or steel rake. Make sure there are no telephone wires or tree limbs above the bonfire site. [6] X Research source
Use small twigs or pieces of wood to anchor the standing sticks. Stack your sticks loosely so air can fuel the fire. Feel the direction that the wind is blowing, and mark an arrow in the sand or dirt that points in the direction the wind blows. Leave an open space in your tent to allow air to blow into the fire.
The pyramid’s height will depend on your amount of wood. As a rule of thumb, the distance between the bonfire and homes or structures should be at least 5 times the pile’s height. [9] X Research source
Be sure to keep an eye on your kids and pets around the fire. Have buckets of water or a fire extinguisher handy just in case. [11] X Research source
Add the onions, chilies, and 10 garlic cloves to the melted ghee. When the onions are golden, add the veggie mixture, turmeric, and salt to taste. Lower the heat to medium-low, and cook the mixture for 30 minutes. Pour melted ghee over the saag, then serve it for dinner with makk ki roti for a traditional Lohri meal.
Dust the balls lightly with flour, then roll them out to flatten them. Put a wide pan on the stove over medium heat, then cook the flattened dough in batches. It should take only take about 3 to 5 minutes per side for the roti to become golden. The ghee in the dough will grease the pan, so there’s no need to cook the roti with additional oil or ghee. When they’re done, brush the roti with ghee, and serve them hot with sarson da saag.
Grease a baking sheet, then use a roller to spread the mixture over the sheet. Let it cool to room temperature, then cut it into squares.
Be sure to join the festivities! Not answering the door or refusing to hand out treats is considered miserly.
To dance the bhangra, bounce your body along to the beat of the dhols with your feet shoulder-width apart or as you stand on 1 foot (0. 30 m). When you bounce upward, move your hands above your head with your thumbs out and bend your elbows to make an L-shape.
For a newlywed Lohri celebration, be sure to double up on the food and festivities and send your loved ones home with packages of sweets as gifts.
