Lohri has always meant warmth, laughter, and togetherness for me. Back home, it was never just a festival—it was a feeling. Bonfires crackling in the cold January air, the sound of folk songs, and the smell of peanuts and revri made Lohri unforgettable. But celebrating Lohri away from my home country has taught me that traditions don’t disappear; they simply change shape.
Living abroad, Lohri feels quieter. There is no large bonfire outside my home, no neighborhood gathering, and no familiar noise. Instead, there is silence, snowfall, and memories. Yet, I make space for the festival in my own way.
I light a small diya or candle, play Punjabi songs softly, and prepare simple snacks that remind me of home. Sometimes it’s just popcorn and peanuts, sometimes it’s homemade sweets. I call my family, listen to their celebrations, and feel both happy and emotional at the same time.
Celebrating Lohri abroad is not about recreating everything exactly as it was. It is about honoring where I come from while accepting where I am. It reminds me that culture lives within us, not just in places.
Being away from home during festivals is never easy. But Lohri teaches me resilience—the ability to find warmth even when surrounded by cold. And in that quiet celebration, I feel connected to my roots, no matter how far away I am.
This is how I celebrate Lohri away from my home country—with memories, gratitude, and a heart that still dances to the rhythm of home.