Be it Lohri or Holi, it is incomplete without bonfire, the bonfire has been burning since the 15th century, why is it considered good to burn it?

Last Updated:January 13, 2025, 20:40 IST

Explainer- During winter season, bonfires are seen burning everywhere. This provides great relief in cold winds. Fire is often lit on auspicious occasions. Be it Lohri or Havan at home, it is incomplete without it. Lighting a bonfire is considered good luck in many countries.read more

Be it Lohri or Holi, havan at home or a party, bonfire is definitely lit. It is called Alav in Hindi and Bonfire in English. In winter, bonfires will be found on every road and on 13 January i.e. the day of Lohri, people will be seen dancing around it. Bonfires have always been associated with celebration. There is a custom of burning it in every country of the world.

Bonfire has been burning for thousands of years
Lighting a fire outside the house is called bonfire. It is mostly burnt with wood, leaves and paper. Its first mention is found in John Mirk’s book ‘Book of Festivals’. According to the book, the custom of lighting bonfires started in the 15th century. It was burnt in the St. John’s Eve festival celebrated in France. Then bonfires were lit to remember the saints. In French, bon means good and fire means fire, i.e. bonfire was said to be a good fire. At the same time it was also called the fire that burns bones.

means to ward off evil spirits
Greek historians believe that in the 15th century, the tribes living in Central Europe, called Celts, used to light bonfires with animal bones. They believed that doing this keeps away evil spirits. The people of the Celts community were the first people in the world who started wearing trousers for the first time in Europe.

Lighting a fire in winter releases happy hormones in the body (Image-Canva)

Celebrating fertility in Czech Republic
Nowadays, due to bad lifestyle, the dream of becoming parents has become very difficult for couples. Actually, fertility has been damaged due to stress and junk food. In such a situation, there is a country in Europe which prays for fertility and celebrates it. A festival named Burning the Witches is celebrated in the Czech Republic between the night of 30 April and 1 May. On this day people gather together, light bonfire and celebrate. People believe that on this day witches come and the doors of treasures hidden in caves open. On this festival, youth jump over the fire and pray for fertility. He also makes his cows walk on the ashes of bonfire so that their cows give birth to children. The ashes of this bonfire are later put in the fields. People believe that by doing this the crops will grow well and they will get profit.

Bonfire also burns on Halloween
Bonfires are lit in Ireland every year on 31 October and 11 July. Halloween is on October 31st. On this day people remember their ancestors and wear strange dresses. On this day fire is lit to ward off evil spirits. Whereas July 11 is celebrated as the celebration of victory. On this day in 1690, King William III of England was victorious in the battle near the River Boyne.

Bonfire is used as a signal
When there were no telephones or telegrams, communication with distant people was done only by lighting bonfires. In fact, the fire is visible from a distance and its smoke is visible in the sky above. By lighting a fire, people used to declare that he was present at this place. Similarly, fires were lit at night to protect themselves from wild animals. Fire was also a symbol of war and victory. Its smoke indicated danger. Lighting a bonfire also meant gathering people at one place.

Bonfires were linked to weather and harvest in most countries (Image-Canva)

major part of entertainment
Whenever there is a party or a camp is organized in the forest, there is always a bonfire. Sitting comfortably in front of the bonfire at night and dancing and singing is very relaxing. Bonfires have always been associated with entertainment. Bollywood films have even made bonfire romantic. Playing guitar in front of the fire and singing songs and expressing one’s love in front of everyone started to seem like a normal thing. Even today the youth have a lot of fun in front of the bonfire.

Bonfire enhances the taste of food
Chef Amrit Arora says that some people cook different types of things in the fire of bonfire. When Holi comes, most of the people burn green chickpeas along with their peels after Holika Dahan. In winter, sweet potatoes and potatoes are roasted in the bonfire. People believe that there is a different pleasure in roasting food items in this fire. This also increases the taste of food. For this reason, people all over the world are fans of barbecue.

Bonfire is good for health
Bonfires are lit in the open. According to a study conducted in England, there is fresh air outside the house and if a bonfire is lit in such a situation, the lungs get a good amount of oxygen due to which energy is felt in the body and the digestion process remains healthy. When bonfire is lit, hormones called serotonin are released in the body which increases happiness and relieves stress. If mental health is good then the person also remains healthy. Burning fire also prevents insects from growing around.