Devotees celebrating Lohri at Hari Om Mandir in Medniah
CHICAGO: Lohri, popular Punjabi agricultural festival, was celebrated with great fanfare at Hari Om Mandir in Medinah, a north side suburb of Chicago. The celebration included traditional food of Saag (mustard) and Makki (corn) ki roti and lassi (buttermilk), bonfire, tappes, and songs suitable for the occasion.
The temple priests along with help from a number of devotees created a beautiful exhibit of traditional Lohri items. There were models of Charkha, well with utensil to draw water, front of a house with traditional paintings of Diyas (tea lights) and cut out of people with dhols.
Asha Khanna, a devotee, started the program with traditional song “Sundar Mundariye”. This was followed by lot of traditional songs and Tappes. She was joined by Subhash Sharma, Vijay Ghai, Deepak and Mona Sharma and other members of the Bhajan Mandli. Ayodhia Salwan, Chairman Board of Trustees, also sang the traditional Punjabi Tappe “Sundari Mundari” to the tale of a man who rescued a girl from her cruel abductors and adopted her. Finally he arranged her marriage, as if she was his own daughter.
These songs exhort the youth to protect the honor of their sisters and daughters, and punish those who try to dishonor them.
Young kids were moving around asking Lohri from the devotees. The newlyweds and the families with new born kids were blessed by the priests. The program ended with Aarti and Prasad. Traditional items like Phuga, rewari, puff popcorn were distributed in Prasad. Devotees gathered around the bonfire outside the main entrance to the temple, danced around the fire and threw puffed rice, popcorn and other munchies into the fire shouting “Aadar aye dilather jaye” and sang popular folk songs to mark the occasion.
Rajeev Bharel, President Executive Board, along with other members of Executive Board led the team of volunteers and devotees in preparation and presentation of an excellent presentation of Indian traditions.
Hari Om Mandir located at DuPage County, has statues of all major North Indian gods and goddesses. Every Sunday there is a Havan and general congregation followed by Aarti and Bhojan Prasad. On every first Saturday of the month there is Devi Jagran from 7 to 10pm. Every Monday there is Shiv Puja and every Tuesday there is Hanuman Challisa Path. There are two learned priests available in temple, for Poojas, Havan, Kathas etc in the temple and at home.
Upcoming events: Maha Shivaratri – Monday 20-Februay, Holi – Thursday 8-March, Ramanavami – Sunday 1-April.
Asian Media USA
