CHANDIGARH, Jan 14 — Bonfires, music and dancing have lit up parts of northern India for the harvest festival of “Lohri,” which kicked off yesterday.

The festival marks the harvesting of winter crops, known as the Rabi, and holds immense significance for the farmers. It also marks the beginning of the Sikh New Year.

Residents in cities of Amritsar and Chandigarh stepped out dressed in traditional finery as they celebrated with family and friends.

Students perform a traditional folk dance near a bonfire as they celebrate the Lohri festival, which marks the culmination of winter in many parts of northern India, inside a college in Chandigarh January 13, 2018. — Reuters pic
Students perform a traditional folk dance near a bonfire as they celebrate the Lohri festival, which marks the culmination of winter in many parts of northern India, inside a college in Chandigarh January 13, 2018. — Reuters pic

Revellers also circled bonfires, singing folk songs and tossing puffed rice, popcorns and other traditional sweets into the flames.

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The festival is known as “Ponggal” in southern Indian regions like Tamil Nadu and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. In northeastern Assam state, it is known as “Bihu” and in the rest of India it is known as “Makar Sankranti.” — Reuters