Shivaratri Fast

Shivaratri Fast is considered to be the most important fast for the devotees of Lord Shiva. Shiva Purana goes on to say that if a devotee observes Shivaratri Vrata with sincerity, pure devotion and love he is blessed with the divine grace of Lord Shiva. Every year devotees observe Maha Shivaratri fast with devotion and sincerity. Though many go on a diet of fruits and milk, some do not consume even a drop of water all through the day and night of Shivaratri Festival.

Merits of Mahashivratri Vrat

According to Hindu mythology, observance of mahashivratri Vrat with discipline helps a devotee to control the two great natural forces that afflict a man, rajas guna (the quality of passionate activity) and tamas guna (the quality of inertia). When a devotee spends an entire day in the Feet of Lord and worships with sincerity, his motion is controlled and evils like lust, anger and jealousy, born of Rajas are ignored and subdued. Besides, when a devotee observes vigil throughout the night (jaagran) he manages to conquer the evils of Tamas Guna too. It has also been mentioned that when a devotee observes a round of worship every three hours, the Shivaratri Vrata becomes perfect.

Devotees of Lord Shiva believe consider Shivratri fast to be extremely auspicious and rate it equal or more than performing an Ashwamedha Yagna. Some believe that a devotee who observes a Shivaratri Fast with sincerity and utters the name of Lord Shiva with perfect devotion is absolved from all sins. Such a devotee reaches the abode of Lord Shiva and lives there happily. He is also liberated from the cycle of birth and death.

Customs and Traditions of Shivaratri Fast

As a tradition, devotees who are on a strict fast on Shivaratri take bath with the water that is boiled with black sesame seeds to wash away bodily impurities. After putting on fresh new clothes, a devotee visit the nearest Lord Shiva temple to perform the ritual Shiva Linga bath with milk, honey etc. While bathing the Lingam a devotee prays, "O Lord ! I will bathe Thee with water, milk, etc. Do Thou kindly bathe me with the milk of wisdom. Do Thou kindly wash me of all my sins, so that the fire of worldliness which is scorching me may be put out once for all, so that I may be one with Thee-the One alone without a second."

Following the sacred bath, devotee applies haldi-kumkum on the lingum and place a garland of white and pink lotus flowers on it. Bel leaves are also placed at the top of the Lingum. Aarthi and bhajans in praise of Lord Shiva are also sung to invoke his blessings. Devotee also light incense stick and ring temple bell to invoke the blessing of the large-hearted Lord Shiva.

It may be noted that unlike most other festivals, where after performing the Puja of the deity a feast follows, a Shivratri fast continues all through the day and night. Devotees observe an all night vigil while chanting the mantra, "Om Namah Shivaya" and singing devotional hymns and songs. Even during the night, Shiva Lings is given the holy bath every three hours. An offering of fruits is also made to the deity. There is also the tradition to listen to the recital of various legends and stories related to Shivaratri and Lord Shiva and to understand its deeper meanings. It is only in the following morning that a devotee breaks the fast by consuming the prasad offered to Lord Shankar.

Shivaratri Celebrations

Shivaratri Celebrations in India are marked with devotion and religious fervor. Joy is writ large on the faces of millions of Lord Shiva devotees as they start preparing for the biggest Lord Shiva festival in advance. Celebrations of Shivaratri began with the break of the dawn on the Shivratri day and continue all though the night. Devotees observe fast and spend the day in devotion and worship of Lord Shiva. Many worshippers also participate in the jaagran or the night vigil organized in various Shiva temples across the country. Devotees believe that sincere observance of Shivaratri puja and all night worship of Lord Shiva will absolve them of all their sins and liberate them from the cycle of birth and death.

Shivaratri Celebrations in Temples
After the ritual bath, preferably in the sacred waters of river Ganga, devotees pay a visit to the nearest Lord Shiva temple carrying the traditional puja items like milk, water, bel leaves, fruits, incense stick, oil lamp etc. Due to massive popularity of the festival several stalls selling puja items come up outside the temple and do a thriving business.

In the bigger and more popular Shiva temples there is massive rush of devotees. Long queues can be noticed as devotees, mostly women, wait for their turn to perform puja. Since, bathing of Shiva Linga with milk is part of the Shivaratri Puja tradition; little rivers are formed due to the excessively overflowing milk and fruit in the Shiva temples on this day.

Ritual worship of Shiva Linga is done by temple priests every three hours all through the day and night of Shivaratri Festival. Shouts of ‘Shivaji ki Jai’, chanting of the mantra, ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ and ringing of temple bells make the atmosphere religious and devotional.

Nightlong vigil on Shivratri or the Jaagran is celebrated by singing of devotional hymns and songs in worship of Lord Shiva. And, it is only in the following morning that the devotees break their fast by consuming prasad offered to the Lord.

Shivaratri Celebrations by Women
Shivratri Festival is particularly awaited by Hindu women. On Shivaratri, married and unmarried women perform puja with great faith, as Goddess Parvati who is also called 'Gaura', is regarded as the giver of 'suhag' - good husbands, marital bliss and a long and prosperous married life. One can therefore see find women enthusiastically observing the fast and performing the rituals Shiva Pujas on the day.

Tradition of Drinking Thandai
Since Lord Shiva is regarded as an ascetic god, Maha Shivratri is very popular with ascetics. Thandai, a drink made with bhang (cannabis), almonds, and milk, is essentially drunk by the devout on the day as cannabis is said to have been very dear to Shiva.

Shivaratri Pooja...

Shivaratri Pooja has been given tremendous significance in Hindu mythology. It is said that ritual worship of Lord Shiva on a Shivaratri day pleases Lord Shiva the most. Devotees further believe that by pleasing Lord Shankara on the auspicious Shivaratri day, a person is absolved of past sins and is blessed with Moksha or salvation.

Merits of Shivaratri Puja
According to Shiva Purana, sincere worship of Lord Shiva yields merits including spiritual growth for the devotees. It also provides extensive details on the right way to perform Shivratri Puja.

Shiva Purana further says that performing abhisheka of Shiva Linga with six different dravyas including milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water while chanting Sri Rudram, Chamakam and Dasa Shanthi pleases Lord Shiva the most. According to the mythology, each of these dravya used in the abhisheka blesses a unique quality:

• Milk is for the blessing of purity and piousness.
• Yogurt is for prosperity and progeny.
• Honey is for sweet speech.
• Ghee is for victory.
• Sugar is for happiness.
• Water is for purity.

Besides, worship of Lord Shiva on Shivratri is also considered to be extremely beneficial for women. While, married women pray to Shiva for the well being of their husbands and sons, unmarried women pray for a husband like Shiva, who is considered to be the ideal husband.

Getting Ready for Shivratri Puja
To perform the worship of Lord Shiva on Shivratri, devotees wake up early and take a ritual bath, preferably in the holy waters of river Ganga. This is followed by worship to Sun God, Vishnu and Shiva in accordance with the purification rite observed on all-important Hindu festivals. Devotees then wear fresh new clothes and pay a visit to the nearest Shiva temple. As a tradition, devotees observe a fast on a Shivaratri day. Some do not consume even a drop of water.

Performing Maha Shivaratri Pooja
Following the method prescribed in Shiva Purana, priests perform ritual puja of Shiva Linga every three hours all through the day and night of Shivaratri Festival. During this pooja, chants of Om Namah Shivaya and sounds of bells reverberate in the temple. Following the bath with milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water that helps in the purification of the soul a vermilion paste is applied on the Linga as it represents virtue. These six items form an indispensable part of Shivaratri, be it a simple ceremony at home or grand temple worship

After this, Bilwa leaves, which have to be a stalk with three leaves, is kept on top of the Shivalinga to cool the hot-tempered deity. Ber or jujube fruit is also offered to Lord Shiva, as it is symbolic of longevity and gratification of desires. Some devotees also offer the auspicious betel leaves to Lord Shiva marking satisfaction with worldly pleasures. Garlanding of Linga with flowers and garlands is also a part of the ritual Shivaratri Puja. Devotees also burn incense sticks as is said to yield wealth. Many also light lamps to symbolize attainment of knowledge. It is said that by offering water, hugging the Linga, lighting the diya and incense and ringing the temple bells, devotees call into focus all their senses, making them acutely aware of themselves and the universe to which they belong.

This ritual worship of Lord Shiva continues through the day and night of Shivaratri. Devotees stay awake and spent the night in Shiva temples by chanting ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ and singing hymns and verses in praise of Lord Shankar. Devotees observing vrat on Shivaratri break it only the next morning by partaking prasad offered to Lord Shiva.

The Legend of Holika and Prahlad

The Legend
There was once a demon king by the name of Hiranyakashyap who won over the kingdom of earth. He was so egoistic that he commanded everybody in his kingdom to worship only him. But to his great disappointment, his son, Prahlad became an ardent devotee of Lord Naarayana and refused to worship his father.

Hiranyakashyap tried several ways to kill his son Prahlad but Lord Vishnu saved him every time. Finally, he asked his sister, Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap. For, Hiranyakashyap knew that Holika had a boon, whereby, she could enter the fire unscathed.

Treacherously, Holika coaxed young Prahlad to sit in her lap and she herself took her seat in a blazing fire. The legend has it that Holika had to pay the price of her sinister desire by her life. Holika was not aware that the boon worked only when she entered the fire alone.
Prahlad, who kept chanting the name of Lord Naarayana all this while, came out unharmed, as the lord blessed him for his extreme devotion.
Thus, Holi derives its name from Holika. And, is celebrated as a festival of victory of good over evil.

Holi is also celebrated as the triumph of a devotee. As the legend depicts that anybody, howsoever strong, cannot harm a true devotee. And, those who dare torture a true devotee of god shall be reduced to ashes.

Celebration of the Legend
Even today, people enact the scene of 'Holika's burning to ashes' every year to mark the victory of good over evil.
In several states of India, specially in the north, effigies of Holika are burnt in the huge bonfires that are lit. There is even a practice of hurling cow dungs into the fire and shouting obscenities at it as if at Holika. Then everywhere one hears shouts of 'Holi-hai! Holi-hai!'.

The tradition of burning 'Holika' is religiously followed in Gujarat and Orissa also. Here, people render their gratitude to Agni, the god of fire by offering gram and stalks from the harvest with all humility.

Further, on the last day of Holi, people take a little fire from the bonfire to their homes. It is believed that by following this custom their homes will be rendered pure and their bodies will be free from disease.
At several places there is also a tradition of cleaning homes, removing all dirty articles from around the house and burning them. Disease-breeding bacteria are thereby destroyed and the sanitary condition of the locality is improved.

The Legend of Radha-Krishna

The Legend
Young Krishna is known to be very playful and mischievous. The story goes that as a child, Krishna was extremely jealous of Radha's fair complexion since he himself was very dark.

One day, Krishna complained to his mother Yashoda about the injustice of nature which made Radha so fair and he so dark. To pacify the crying young Krishna, the doting mother asked him to go and colour Radha's face in whichever colour he wanted.
In a mischievous mood, naughty Krishna heeded the advice of mother Yashoda and applied colour on her beloved Radha's face; Making her one like himself.

Well, there is also a legend to explain Krishna's dark complexion. It so happened that once a demon attempted to kill infant Krishna by giving him poisoned milk. Because of which Krishna turned blue. But Krishna did not die and the demon shriveled up into ashes.
The beautiful scene of Krishna's prank in which he played colour with Radha and other gopis has been made alive in myriad forms in a number of paintings and murals.

The Celebrations

Somehow, the lovable prank of Krishna where he applied colour on Radha and other gopis using water jets called pichkaris gained acceptance and popularity. So much so that it evolved as a tradition and later, a full-fledged festival.
Till date, use of colours and pichkaris is rampant in Holi. Lovers long to apply colour on their beloveds face and express their affection for each other.

This legend is wonderfully brought alive each year all over India, particularly in Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana and Nandgaon-the places associated with Krishna and Radha.
In fact, the entire country gets drenched in the colour waters when it is time for Holi and celebrate the immortal love of Krishna and Radha.

In some states of India, there is also a tradition to place the idols of Radha and Krishna in a decorated palanquin, which is then carried along the main streets of the city. All this while, devotees chant Krishna's name, sing devotional hymns and dance in the name of the lord.

Rituals of Holi...

Rituals of the ancient festival of Holi are religiously followed every year with care and enthusiasm.

Preparations
Days before the festival people start gathering wood for the lighting of the bonfire called Holika at the major crossroads of the city. This ensures that at the time of the actual celebration a huge pile of wood is collected.


Holika Dahan Celebrations
Then on the eve of Holi, Holika Dahan takes place. Effigy of Holika, the devil minded sister of demon King Hiranyakashyap is placed in the wood and burnt. For, Holika tried to kill Hiranyakashyap's son Prahlad, an ardent devotee of Lord Naarayana. The ritual symbolises the victory of good over evil and also the triumph of a true devotee.

Children also hurl abuses at Holika and pray pranks, as if they still try to chase awayDhundhi who once troubled little ones in the Kingdom of Prithu. Some people also take embers from the fire to their homes to rekindle their own domestic fires.

Play of Colors
Next day, is of course the main day of Holi celebrations. The day is called Dhuleti
and it is on this day that the actual play of colours take place. There is no tradition of holding puja and is meant for pure enjoyment.
The tradition of playing colours is particularly rampant in north India and even in that region, there can be no comparison to the Holi of Mathura and Vrindavan. In Maharashtra and Gujarat too Holi is celebrated with lot of enthusiasm and fun.

People take extreme delight in spraying colour water on each other with pichkaris or pouring buckets and buckets of it. Singing Bollywood Holi numbers and dancing on the beat of dholak is also a part of the tradition. Amidst all this activity people relish gujiya, mathri, malpuas and other traditional Holi delicacies with great joy.

Drinks, specially thandai laced with bhang is also an intrinsic part of the Holi festivity. Bhang helps to further enhance the spirit of the occasion but if taken in excess it might dampen it also. So caution should be taken while consuming it.


Holi Celebrations in South India
In south India, however, people follow the tradition of worshiping Kaamadeva, the love god of Indian mythology. People have faith in the legend which speak about the great sacrifice of Kaamadeva when he shot his love arrow on Lord Shiva to break his meditation and evoke his interest in worldly affairs.

After, an eventful and funfilled day people become a little sober in the evening and greet friends and relatives by visiting them and exchange sweets. Holi special get togethers are also organised by various cultural organisations to generate harmony and brotherhood in the society.

History of Holi

Holi is an ancient festival of India and was originally known as 'Holika'. The festivals finds a detailed description in early religious works such as Jaimini's Purvamimamsa-Sutras and Kathaka-Grhya-Sutras. Historians also believe that Holi was celebrated by all Aryans but more so in the Eastern part of India.

It is said that Holi existed several centuries before Christ. However, the meaning of the festival is believed to have changed over the years. Earlier it was a special rite performed by married women for the happiness and well-being of their families and the full moon (Raka) was worshiped.

Calculating the Day of Holi
There are two ways of reckoning a lunar month- 'purnimanta' and 'amanta'. In the former, the first day starts after the full moon; and in the latter, after the new moon. Though the amanta reckoning is more common now, the purnimanta was very much in vogue in the earlier days.
According to this purnimanta reckoning, Phalguna purnima was the last day of the year and the new year heralding the Vasanta-ritu (with spring starting from next day). Thus the full moon festival of Holika gradually became a festival of merrymaking, announcing the commencement of the spring season. This perhaps explains the other names of this festival - Vasanta-Mahotsava and Kama-Mahotsava.

- Vasanta-Mahotsava and Kama-Mahotsava.

Reference in Ancient Texts and Inscriptions
Besides having a detailed description in the Vedas and Puranas such as Narad Purana and Bhavishya Purana, the festival of Holi finds a mention in Jaimini Mimansa. A stone incription belonging to 300 BC found at Ramgarh in the province of Vindhya has mention of Holikotsav on it. King Harsha, too has mentioned about holikotsav in his work Ratnavali that was written during the 7th century.

The famous Muslim tourist - Ulbaruni too has mentioned about holikotsav in his historical memories. Other Muslim writers of that period have mentioned, that holikotsav were not only celebrated by the Hindus but also by the Muslims.
Reference in Ancient Paintings and Murals
The festival of Holi also finds a reference in the sculptures on walls of old temples. A 16th century panel sculpted in a temple at Hampi, capital of Vijayanagar, shows a joyous scene of Holi. The painting depicts a Prince and his Princess standing amidst maids waiting with syringes or pichkaris to drench the Royal couple in coloured water.

A 16th century Ahmednagar painting is on the theme of Vasanta Ragini - spring song or music. It shows a royal couple sitting on a grand swing, while maidens are playing music and spraying colors with pichkaris.

There are a lot of other paintings and murals in the temples of medieval India which provide a pictoral description of Holi. For instance, a Mewar painting (circa 1755) shows the Maharana with his courtiers. While the ruler is bestowing gifts on some people, a merry dance is on, and in the center is a tank filled with colored water. Also, a Bundi miniature shows a king seated on a tusker and from a balcony above some damsels are showering gulal (colored powders) on him.

Legends and Mythology

In some parts of India, specially in Bengal and Orissa, Holi Purnima is also celebrated as the birthday of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (A.D. 1486-1533). However, the literal meaning of the word 'Holi' is 'burning'. There are various legends to explain the meaning of this word, most prominent of all is the legend associated with demon king Hiranyakashyap.

Hiranyakashyap wanted everybody in his kingdom to worship only him but to his great disappointment, his son, Prahlad became an ardent devotee of Lord Naarayana. Hiaranyakashyap commanded his sister, Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap. Holika had a boon whereby she could enter fire without any damage on herself. However, she was not aware that the boon worked only when she enters the fire alone. As a result she paid a price for her sinister desires, while Prahlad was saved by the grace of the god for his extreme devotion. The festival, therefore, celebrates the victory of good over evil and also the triumph of devotion.

Legend of Lord Krishna is also associated with play with colors as the Lord started the tradition of play with colours by applying colour on his beloved Radha and other gopis. Gradually, the play gained popularity with the people and became a tradition.

There are also a few other legends associated with the festival - like the legend of Shiva and Kaamadeva and those of Ogress Dhundhi and Pootana. All depict triumph of good over evil - lending a philosophy to the festival.

Tradition of Holi

The colourful festival of Holi is celebrated by different names in this vast and culturally diverse country. The traditions followed for the festival varies a little and at times a lot as one moves from one state to other studying the various facets of the festival and getting behind the various colours of it.

Nowhere it is celebrated with so much charm and enthusiasm as in Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana and Nandgaon - the places associated with the birth and childhood of Lord Krishna. At Barsana Holi assumes the name of Lathmaar Holi. Here, women of Barsana give a tough time to men of Nandgaon as they come to play Holi with them. Women drag the unlucky captives, beat them, dress them in a female attire - yet all is in the spirit of Holi.

Women of Haryana, specifically the bhabhis too get an upper hand on the day as they get a social sanction to beat their devars and take a sweet revenge for all the mischiefs they have played on them. This revengeful tradition is called the Dulandi Holi.

The most enjoyable tradition of Holi, of course, apart from the play of colours is the tradition of breaking the pot. It is celebrated with much fan fair in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. Here a pot of buttermilk is hung high on the streets. Men form a huge human pyramid and one on the top breaks the pot with his head. All this while women keep singing Holi folk songs and throwing buckets and buckets of water. The tradition has its roots in the mischievous nature of Lord Krishna who was so fond of butter milk that he used to steal it from every accessible house in the village. To hide the butter from young Krishna, womenfolk used to hang it high. All in vain!

Holi is celebrated in the most dignified manner in the state of Bengal. At Vishwa Bharti University, founded by Rabindranath Tagore founded the tradition of celebrating Holi as 'Basant Utsav' or 'Spring Festival'. Students decorate the campus with intricate rangolis and carry out prabhat pheris in the morning. Clad in a traditional attire young boys and girls sing songs composed by Gurudev and present an enchanting view to the onlookers who gather in large number here. In other parts of Bengal, Holi is celebrated as Dol Yatra where the idols of Radha and Krishna are placed on a decorated palanquin and taken out in a procession.For Sikhs, Holi calls for the display of their physical strength and military prowess as they gather at Anandpur Sahib a day after Holi to celebrate Hola Mohalla. The tradition was started by the tenth and last guru of Sikh religion, Guru Gobind Singh ji and is being religiously carried forward.

In the north east, Manipuris celebrate the festival in a colourful manner for six continuous days. Here, the centuries old Yaosang Festival of Manipur amalgated with Holi with the introduction of Vaishnavism in the eighteenth century. The highlight of the festival here is a special Manipuri dance, called 'Thabal Chongba'.

Well, there are many-many more ways in which Holi is celebrated. Different states, different cities and different villages have come out with their unique and innovative styles of playing Holi. It may not be possible to describe all of them at one place. What is noteworthy though is the fact that the spirit of Holi remains the same throughout. It is the festival which generates the spirit of brotherhood and bring people close - and this is what matters most than anything else.

What enhances the spirit of Holi though is the tradition of consuming the intoxicating bhang. It is generally consumed with thandai or as pakoras. People go high on it and enjoy the festival to the hilt. Other Holi delicacies include gujiya, mathri, malpua, puranpoli, dahi badas, etc. After a frenzied play of colours people love to gorge them up.

Regional Names of Holi

Popularity of Holi can be gauged from the number of names Holi has in different states. Also of great interest is the story behind each of these names.

As one moves across from one state to another, one can surely discover the myriad shades of human emotions behind the story that goes with each of these names of holi. These stories will make you feel proud of the rich cultural diversity of India. Besides, what is to be appreciated is the underlying strong bond of unity that binds this uniquely culturally diverse country.

Even the Gods that are worshiped on Holi differ in different corners of the country. The way the festival is celebrated also differs but the spirit is same - the one of love and brotherhood. Inspite of their uniqueness in different states, the festival is considered to be the one which enhances the secular fabric of India.

Let us now unravel the traditions of Holi by learning the story behind the different names of Holi -

Lathmaar Holi Dulandi Holi Rangpanchami Basant Utsav Dol Purnima Hola Mohalla Shimgo Kaman Pandigai Phagu Purnima

Process Of Holi Pooja...

Holi Pooja Process

Holi Pooja takes place a day before the Holi Festival. This day is called as 'Holika Dahan'. There is no special pooja performed on the Holi day. This day is only meant for celebrations and play of colors. Holika Dahan is the major ritual performed at the time of Holi which is also considered an important Holi Puja. People light bonfires on the eve of Holi festival to celebrate the victory of 'good' over 'bad' which is called Holika Dahan.

Holi Pooja Process or Holika Dahan Process
Holika Dahan preparations begin almost 40 days before the festival. People start gathering woods on the important crossroads of the city. Holi Pooja or Holika takes place on an auspicious time in the evening a day before the Holi festival. Given below are the steps and rituals for the Holi Pooja:

Holi Pooja can be performed at any place. A log of wood is kept at a prominent public place on the Vasant Panchami day. People extend the log centre with twigs, dried leaves, branches of trees and other combustible material. On the day of Holika Dahan, an effigy of Holika and Prahlad is placed on the huge heap of woods. Effigy of Holika is made of combustible material while Prahlad's effigy is made of non-combustible material. On the eve of Holi, the heap is set alight and the people chant Rakshoghna Mantras of the Rig Veda to cast away the evil spirits. Left over ashes are collected by people next morning. These ashes are considered holy and are smeared on the limbs of the body as Holi Prasad. Smearing of body limbs is an act of purification.

Holi Pooja is performed in a different manner in some communities. Marwari women offer Holi puja in the afternoon and evening i.e. before setting fire to 'Holika'. It is called 'Thandi Holi'. The whole puja process is considered very auspicious for the married women. It ensures well-being and healthy life of their husband.

बड़ा महत्त्व है...

जीवन में आज का
सुर में साज का
पूजा में नाल का
सिर में बाल का
सृष्टि में आकाश का
सूर्य में प्रकाश का
कुल में आन का
स्त्रियों में मान का
स्त्री में लाज का
राज्य में ताज का
स्त्री में चाल का
खाने में दाल का
जीवन में विकास का
दोस्ती में विशवास का
क्षत्रिय में शान का
चबाने में पान का

लोहड़ी की कहानी और लोहड़ी के लोकगीत

सुंदरी-मातृ-विहीन थी, उसके बाप का साया भी उसके सिर पर नहीं था। चाचा जमींदार था। इलाके में से अकबर बादशाह गुजरने वाला था, जमींदारों ने फैसला किया कि सुंदरी को बादशाह के सामने पेश किया जाए। गांव की सबसे सुंदर (लाल पटाखा) और सबसे गरीब (फटे सालू वाली) लड़की की रक्षा करने वाला ‘कौन बेचारा था ? बात दुल्ला भट्टी तक पहुंचाई गई। दुल्ला दीन-दुखी का हितैषी था, उसने फौरन अपनी बेटी की तरह सुंदरी की शादी रचा डाली। जल्दी-जल्दी में शादी की धूमधाम का इंतजाम भी न हो सका।

‘सेर शक्कर’ से ही शादी का शगुन किया गया। लेकिन उसने ‘चूरी’ कूटने वाले जमींदारों की खूब दुर्गति बनाई।

इस मुसीबत की घडी में दुल्ला भट्टी ने ब्राह्मण की मदद की और लडके वालों को मना कर एक जंगल में आग जला कर सुंदरी और मुंदरी का व्याह करवाया। दुल्ले ने खुद ही उन दोनों का कन्यादान किया। कहते हैं दुल्ले ने शगुन के रूप में उनको शक्कर दी थी। इसी कथा की हमायत करता लोहड़ी का यह गीत है, जिसे लोहड़ी के दिन गाया जाता है

ਸੁੰਦਰ ਮੁੰਦਰੀਏ, ਹੋ
ਤੇਰਾ ਕੋਣ ਵਿਚਾਰਾ ਹੋ
ਦ੍ਲਹਾ ਭੱਟੀ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੋ
ਦੂਲ੍ਹੇ ਦੀ ਧੀ ਵਿਆਹੀ ਹੋ
ਸੇਰ ਸੱਕਰ ਆਈ ਹੋ
ਕੁੜੀ ਦੇ ਬੋਝੇ ਪਾਈ ਹੋ
ਕੁੜੀ ਦਾ ਲਾਲ ਪਟਾਕਾ ਹੋ
ਕੁੜੀ ਦਾ ਸਾਲੂ ਪਾੱਟਾ ਹੋ
ਸਾਲੂ ਕੋਣ ਸਮੇਟੇ ਹੋ
ਚਾਚਾ ਗਾਲੀ ਦੇਸੇ ਹੋ
ਚਾਚੇ ਚੂਰੀ ਕੁਟੀ ਹੋ
ਜਿਮਿੰਦਾਰਾ ਲੂਟੀ ਹੋ
ਜਿਮੀਂਦਾਰ ਸਦਾਏ ਹੋ
ਗਿੰਨ ਗਿੰਨ ਪੋਲੇ ਲਾਏ ਹੋ
ਬੜੇ ਭੋਲੇ ਆਏ ਹੋ
ਇਕ ਭੋਲਾ ਰਹੀ ਗਯਾ
ਸਿਪਾਹੀ ਫੜ ਕੇ ਲੈ ਗਯਾ
ਸਿਪਾਹੀ ਨੇ ਮਾਰੀ ਈਟ
ਭਾਵੇਂ ਰੋ ਤੇ ਭਾਵੇਂ ਪਿਟ
ਸਾੰਨੂ ਦੇ ਦੇ ਲੋਹਰੀ ਤੇਰੀ ਜੀਵੇ ਜੋੜੀ
ਸਾੰਨੂ ਦੇ ਦੇ ਲੋਹਰੀ ਤੇਰੀ ਜੀਵੇ ਜੋੜੀ
ਸਾੰਨੂ ਦੇ ਦੇ ਲੋਹਰੀ ਤੇਰੀ ਜੀਵੇ ਜੋੜੀ

ਹੁਣ ਇਹੀ ਗੀਤ ਹਿੰਦੀ ਵਿਚ ਪੜੋ...

अब यही गीत हिंदी में...

सुंदर मुंदरिये, हो
तेरा कौन विचारा हो
दुल्ला भट्टी वाला, हो
दुल्ले दी धी ब्याही, हो
सेर शक्कर आई, हो
कुड़ी दे बोझे पाई, हो
कुड़ी दा लाल पटाका, हो
कुड़ी दा सालू पाटा, हो
सालू कौन समेटे, हो
चाचा गाली देसे, हो
चाचे चूरी कुट्टी, हो
जिमींदारां लुट्टी, हो
जिमींदार सदाये, हो
गिन-गिन पौले लाये, हो।
बड़े भोले आये हो
एक भोला रह गया
सिपाही पकड़ के ले गये
सिपाही ने मारी ईंट
चाहे रो या चाहे पिट
सानु दे दे लोहड़ी ,तुहाडी जीवे जोड़ी
सानु दे दे लोहड़ी ,तुहाडी जीवे जोड़ी
सानु दे दे लोहड़ी ,तुहाडी जीवे जोड़ी

पंजाब में लोहड़ी त्यौहार आने के कई दिन पहले युवा लड़के-लड़कियां द्वार द्वार पर जा कर गाना गा गा कर लकड़ियाँ तथा मेवा मांग कर इकट्ठा कर लोहड़ी की रात आग जला कर नाचते गातें व फल मेवा खाते हैं।

कंडा कंडा नी लकडियो कंडा सी
इस कंडे दे नाल कलीरा सी
जुग जीवे नी भाबो तेरा वीरा सी,
पा माई पा, काले कुत्ते नू वी पा
कला कुत्ता दवे वदायइयाँ,
तेरियां जीवन मझियाँ गईयाँ,
मझियाँ गईयाँ दित्ता दुध,
तेरे जीवन सके पुत्त,
सक्के पुत्तां दी वदाई,
वोटी छम छम करदी आई।

दुल्ला भट्टी की जुल्म के खिलाफ मानवता की सेवा को आज भी लोग याद करते हैं और उस रात को लोहड़ी के रूप में सत्य और साहस की जुल्म पर जीत के तौर पर मनाते हैं। इस त्योहार का सबंध फसल से भी है, इस समय गेहूँ और सरसों की फसलें अपने यौवन पर होती हैं, खेतों में गेहुँ, छोले और सरसों जैसी फसलें लहराती हैं।

जीवन की अवस्थाओं का ज्ञान करवातें हैं हनुमान जी...

भारतीय संस्कृति में चार की संख्या का बड़ा महत्व है|चार वर्ण,चार युग,और चार अंत:करण को कई बार याद किया जाता है|तुलसीदास जी ने हनुमान चालीसा की चालीस चोपाइयों में भी चार के आंकड़े को एक जगह याद किया जाता है|२९वि चौपाई में वह लिखते हैं-चारो युग प्रताप तुम्हारा,है प्रसिद्ध जगत उजियारा ||अर्थात जगत को प्रकाशित करने वाले आपके नाम का प्रताप चारो युगों में है|(सतयुग,त्रेता,द्वापर और कलियुग)श्रीहनुमान जी पवनसुत हैं और पवन न सिर्फ चारो युग में हैं,बल्कि प्रत्येक स्थान पर है|विदेश में पानी अलग मिल सकता है,धरती अलग मिल सकती है,व भोजन अलग मिल सकता हैहवा सारी दुनिया में एक जैसे ही मिलती है|पानी,अग्नि को रोका जा सकता है लेकिन आप हवा का बटवारा नही कर सकते|
चारो युगों का एक और अर्थ है-हमारे जीवन की भी चार अवस्थाये है-बचपन,जवानी,प्रोद्ता और बुदापा |प्रताप का एक साधारण सा अर्थ होता है,योग्यता|इन चारों उम्र में हनुमान जी योग्यता की तरह हमारे जीवन में आ सकते हैं|बचपनम की सरलता हम हनुमान जी से सीख सकते हैं|जवानी की सक्रियता उनके पराक्रम की ही कहानी है|प्रोद्ता में जो म्संझ होने चाहिए व भी हनुमान जी हमें सिखायेंगे,और बुदापा सफल होता है|

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