Gobind Sadan
Gobind Sadan celebrated Lohri, a traditional Punjabi holiday linked with the day that the earth begins to lean toward and come closer to the sun in its elliptical orbit. It is considered said to be the coldest day of the year but also the beginning of the end of winter weather. People who have had a child or a marriage during the year bring popcorn, peanuts, sesame candies, and crystal sugar to be offered into a big bonfire and also distributed for eating, in celebration of these happy events. see gallery
This year at Gobind Sadan, young Gurpreet Singh was honored by his parents Bunti and Peggy Jolly and his uncle, Harvinder Singh, Secretary of His Holiness Baba Virsa Singh ji Memorial Trust, and his grandmother with great bags of Lohri treats. Afterward he joined the sangat in throwing handsful first into the havan and then into a bonfire in the field behind the information centre, as Bhagat Ji and Baba Hardip Singh led the sangat in singing praises of Baba Siri Chand and Baba Virsa Singh Ji and in singing Nam-“Ek Onkar Sat Nam Siri Wahe Guru.”
This year Lohri coincided with the traditional Russian New Year, which marks the end of Christmas celebrations in Russia. Russian guests joined the Lohri celebration and then lit candles at the Christmas crèche scene and around the big tree in the guest compound.