The festival of 'Lohri' was celebrated in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh with traditional fervour on Monday.
Bonfires, an important part of the festivities, were lit using wood and cow dung cakes as families danced to the tunes of famous festival songs like 'sundar mundriye ho'.
Many men and women performed 'bhangra' and 'gidha' in traditional attires and sang folk songs in the region, with scores dancing to the beats of 'dhol' to celebrate the festival.
Jaggery, peanuts, and popcorn -- the three edibles associated with Lohri -- were distributed among people.
Lohri holds a special significance in Punjab where families celebrate the first Lohri for the newlyweds and newborns.
During the day, the sky was dotted with colourful kites of different sizes and shapes as children and youth engaged in competitions at many places, including in Ludhiana, Patiala and Amritsar.
The kite enthusiasts were seen flying a variety of kites such as 'tukkal', 'pari', 'chhajj' and 'machli'.
Extended his wishes and greetings to the citizens on the auspicious occasions of Lohri and Makar Sankranti, Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatraya said they serve as a unifying force that brings everyone together.
"Makar Sankranti is a significant festival not only for Haryana, but also for Telugu communities.
It is celebrated with sesame seeds and jaggery, symbolising love and sweetness, respectively," the governor said in a statement.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his Haryana counterpart Nayab Singh Saini also greeted people on the occasion.
"Happy Lohri to all of you. May this festival bring lots of happiness, good health and prosperity in your lives," Mann said in a post on X.
Saini said, "Best wishes to all the residents of the state on the occasion of Lohri, a cultural festival symbolising joy and happiness."
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