Lohri is a popular festival, celebrated by Punjabi particularly of Hindu and Sikh faith. It is one of the greatest festivals of Punjab and Haryana. It is celebrated on the 13th of January during the month of Paush or Magh, a day before Makar Sankranti. Many people believe the festival was originally celebrated on winter solstice day, being the shortest day and the longest night of the year. According to the Hindu calendar, Lohri falls in mid-January. The earth, farthest from the sun at this point of time, starts its journey towards the sun, thus ending the coldest month of the year, Paush, and announcing the start of the month of Magh and the auspicious period of Uttarayan.