Suresh Bodiwala
CHICAGO: A massive crowd of devotees and participants thronged the Hari Om Mandir in Medinah, a Chicago northside suburb on 12 January to celebrate the Lohri in the traditional north Indian style.
The special meal of the season – Makki Ki Roti, Saag, Lassi and Gur Wale Chawal along with this, the traditional items like Bhugga, Popcorn, Rewari, Moongphali, Khajoor andChirvara was distributed.
Another attraction was a beautiful village set up of Punjab which depicts the authentic culture and ambience of the festival. Charkha, chakki, yogurt matki, hand cart full of peanuts, rickshaws, a cart laden with the harvested crop, manjis, pirhi were some of the everyday items in the streets of a Punjab’s village were displayed in this HOM village. Men with Dhols and women in their Giddha was also depicted. Random cows, dogs, a Chullah and a kettle of hot tea, completed the entire visual!
The dinner was followed with all coming to sing and dance l Mona & Deepak Sharma along with UshaVerma, Shama Sharma, Veerpal, Pooja, Parveen, Nidhi etc. joined in singing beautiful Punjabi Folk Songs. A Group of Young Girls led by NehaSobti performed the traditional Fold Dance of Punjab – “Giddha” followed by “Jaggo” – another traditional ritual of Punjab.
House of Spices partnered with Hari Om Mandir this year besides donating $1000/- and MakkiKa Atta to the Mandir, on this occasion.
Last but not least, the Lohri Bonfire was lighted, and people gathered around to offer the Prasad items to the Holy God of Fire. As the “Sunder Mundriye” Lohri Song echoed to the beat of Ajay Ghai’sDhol, everybody – young and old – was seen dancing and enjoying
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