Top Picks for Lohri Evening in Delhi

Bonfire, songs, dance, fun and food — can there be a better way to celebrate a cold winter evening in Delhi! Come 13th January and little bonfires and sounds of dhol will bring the entire north India come alive to celebrate Lohri (while other parts of the country will celebrate Pongal, Makar Sakranti and Uttrayan).

There are apparently varied reasons to celebrate Lohri: to celebrate the harvest of rabi crops; to worship fire; to celebrate winter solstice on 13th January, the shortest day & longest night of the year. To celebrate the festival or simply the midwinter evening, try out one of the following options if you’re in Delhi.

Musical Evening at India Habitat Centre (IHC), Lodhi Road

One of my best Lohri evenings was here couple of years ago. Evening chill and warmth with live sufi music by Madan Gopal Singh. I highly recommend the place if you appreciate sufi music. This year Madan Gopal Singh & group are joined by singer Jasbir Jassi and Dhruv Sangari.

There’s a buffet spread is pure Punjabi including dishes like Amristari Alloo Wadi, Sarson da Saag, Amritsari Machhi (fish), Dhaabe da Kukkad (chicken), Rabdi, etc.

Entry is free but the food is a tad expensive. Seating on first come first serve basis.

RSVP: Anupam Kishore 9811597834

Date: 13th January

Timings: 7:30 pm onwards

Celebrations at Epicentre, Gurgaon

Gurgaon has its own “IHC” (not exactly the same) by the name of Epicentre. A similar evening as in IHC, Lohri celebrations here will be marked by live performances by Punjabi folk singers Satnam Shikra and Sargam Sehnooja. And of course, there will be delicious food.

Cost: Rs 150 (includes entry charges plus food coupons worth Rs 50)

Date: 13th January 2015

Timings: 7:30 pm onwards

Lohri special menu @ Cafe Immigrant, Connaught Place

Cafe Immigrant is offering a special menu for Lohri. With the addition of dhol and bonfire to spice up the celebrations, choose from authentic dishes like Patialashahi Meat, Gola’s Green Butter Chicken (Chef’s Special), Paneer Butter Masala, Classic Sarsoon Ka Saag, Pindi Cholley, Amritsari Kulche. To add on to the fun you can also choose from especially available for Lohri drinks like The Patiala Peg, Shaan E Punjab and Buuurrrrrraaahhhhh.

Date: January 12-14th 2015

Venue: Cafe Immigrant, B-45, First Floor, Inner Circle, Connaught Place

Time: 7 pm onwards

Punjabi Tadka @ The Chatter House, Nehru Place

Til-e-Tequila with gudh (jaggery) and Peach Syrup combined with Viva Mojo and Lime Juice, rimmed with Rewadi — The Chatter House is going all Punjabi this Lohri. Relish a feast with dishes like Tandoor Da Chatter Matter, Diller Dal Tadka, Cheema Bhai Da Baingan Bharta, Chawal aur Makhaney Ki Kheer, and a lot more.

Location: Epicuria Mall, Nehru Place

Cost for two: Rs 2000 plus taxes.

[FYI: Highlight of the festival, for me at least is the singing of the Lohri song to ask the elders in the family to give them money:

Sunder mundriye ho!
Tera kaun vicharaa ho!
Dullah Bhatti walla ho!
Dullhe di dhee vyayae ho!
Ser shakkar payee ho!
Kudi da laal pathaka ho!
Kudi da saalu paata ho!]

How are you celebrating 13th January? Or, How do you celebrate winter solstice in your states/country? Leave us a reply.

Read significance of Lohri here [in Hindi]