The earliest origins and history of Lohri are deeply rooted in ancient agricultural traditions. It marks the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of longer summer days, symbolising the return of warmth and the harvesting of the Rabi crops, mainly sugar cane and wheat. It is celebrated in January, closer to the festival of Makar Sankranti, which marks the sun's transit into the zodiac sign of Capricorn and is considered a highly auspicious period in Hinduism. It is the time to honour the Sun God, Lord Surya, who is believed to bless the world with the light, warmth, and energy necessary for the growth of crops. Lohri is known as the harvest festival of Punjab.

While Lohri is not stringently associated with religious activities, it carries a significant religious undertone in Hinduism as it is related to the practices of nature worship, particularly for worshipping fire or Agni as a secret element. It is considered purifying as a force. As they offer sesame seeds, jaggery, and other foods to the bonfire during Lohri, they thank the gods for a bountiful harvest. It holds a similar place in Sikhism for the agricultural communities of Punjab. 

The legend of Dulla Bhatti, a Muslim Rajput who lived during the reign of the Mughal emperor Akbar, is celebrated as a folk hero during Lohri. He is revered for rescuing Hindu girls from being vehemently taken by the Mughals. The Sikh community celebrate Dulla Bhatti as a symbol of strength and righteousness during the festival's cultural customs. 

Another popular legend associated with Lohri is the story of Holika, the sister of the Demon King Hiranyakashyap, and Prahlad, his son. While Hiranyakashyap considered himself invincible and demanded everyone worship him instead of the gods, his son Prahlad remained an ardent devotee to Lord Vishnu, resulting in a feud with his father. In an attempt to kill Prahlad, Hiranyakashyap ordered Holika to sit in a bonfire with Prahlad on her lap. It is believed that Holika had a boon that made her immune to fire. However, due to Prahlad's unwavering devotion towards Lord Vishnu, despite having the boon, Holika was burnt to ashes while Prahlad emerged unharmed. This legend represents the victory of good over evil, and Lohri's bonfire is seen as a symbol of the burning of Holika.

It is celebrated in the northern regions of India, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh and is a vibrant expression of the cultural identity of the states. It is deeply intertwined with the folk traditions and rituals of Punjab, and the celebrations are marked by the singing of traditional folk songs which narrate the legend of Dulla Bhatti and are accompanied by the beats of the dhol. At the same time, people perform traditional dances like Bhangra and Giddha around the bonfire. The festival brings people together and fosters a strong sense of belonging and community. It serves as a reminder of the values of mutual support, collective joy, and cooperation and helps people maintain the social value and idea of living and harmony. 

The bonfire is the core practice of Lohri, as celebrated in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and other parts of India. Once the evening sets, people gather around the bonfire and ceremonially circle it, offering holy items such as til (sesame seeds), gur (jaggery), popcorn, and peanuts in the flames as they sing traditional songs. The bonfire is enormous in Punjab as the entire community gathers around it. In Haryana, there is a stronger emphasis on community bonding as people go from house to house in the neighbourhood and collect items for the bonfire, which is then lit in the community space.

Bhangra and Giddha are integral dance forms which give identity to the festival of Lohri. While men typically perform Bhangra, a vigorous dance, Giddha is usually performed by women. It is a graceful dance performance that expresses a range of emotions, from joy to teasing. 

The feast for Lohri in Punjab is often elaborate and focuses on sharing food with family, friends and neighbours. Makke di roti, sarson ka saag and gajak are some of the traditional delicacies that are enjoyed during the festival of Lohri. In Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, the emphasis of food is on the essence of traditional recipes passed down through generations and the shared emotion of eating with family and community members.

In Punjab, the first Lohri of a newlywed couple or a newborn is considered a grand affair as the festival is associated with new beginnings. It is also seen as a time for charity and giving back to the community as families distribute food and sweets to the less fortunate. Lohri, like many other vibrant festivals celebrated across India, reflects the rich cultural heritage and traditions that unite communities in joy and togetherness.

The traditional attire worn by men and women as they celebrate Lohri has deep symbolic meaning as it reflects the history, culture, and agricultural lifestyle of the northern region of India.

Women are usually seen wearing a salwar kameez. Punjabi women have worn this versatile set for generations and find its origins in the need for practical yet modest clothing, which lets women work comfortably in the fields while maintaining cultural decorum. While women wear cotton salwar kameez during the daytime, for the bonfire of Lohri at night, they opt for silk sets, often featuring elaborate embroidery. They pair the salwar with a Phulkari dupatta, which they drape around their shoulders and heads. Phulkari is an ancient art form that means ‘flower work’ and has been passed down through generations in Punjab. It serves as an opportunity for women to display their cultural heritage and the region's artistic skills during Lohri. Married women usually wear red colours that symbolise energy, vitality, and fertility as they gather for the celebrations. Younger girls are seen wearing yellow and orange as they are associated with the sun and fire and are central to the festival’s significance of light, warmth, and the end of the colder, gloomy months. They add accents of gold to enhance the richness of the festive attire. Traditional motifs like kairi, peacocks, leaves, and wines are used in the designs for the kameez as they are inspired by nature and the rustic environment. 

Men are usually seen wearing a quintessential kurta pyjama as they gather together to celebrate Lohri. The set has been a staple of Punjabi men's clothing for centuries. Men’s kurta pyjama sets are usually monotone and seen in colours like red, yellow, orange, green, and blue with subtle embroidery.

Back in the day, Lohri garments were made from cotton and khadi since they reflected rural life's simplicity and practicality and connected one to earth and nature. To give their outfits a more formal and festive look, silk and wool were later used to add luxury and elegance to the occasion.