new Delhi: Holi, the festival of colours, has finally arrived! This is when people are immersed in vibrant colors and happiness. The festival marks the beginning of spring and marks the victory of good over evil.
Holi assumes different colors as the festival is celebrated in a unique way across the country. Holi is not just limited to playing with colours, water and balloons. There are different modes of celebration and people indulge in various activities to spread the cheer on Holi.
People in different parts of India celebrate Holi in different ways. We bring you interesting facts about the festival from different states.
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Lathmar Holi
The famous sequence in the song ‘Gori Tu Lath Maar’ captures the essence of ‘Lathmar Holi’ celebrated in the villages of Barsana and Nandgaon near Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. The celebrations of ‘Lathmar Holi’ begin about a week before in Barsana. Keeping pace with the story of Lord Krishna being chased by the women of Barsana village when they came to see Radha, the women of this village beat up the men with sticks, keeping the spirit of Holi alive till date.
Phoolon ki Holi
Another fascinating event, known as Phoolan ki Holi, is celebrated in Vrindavan. It takes place inside the temple grounds and is famous in India and around the world. On the Ekadashi before Holi, people give up the use of colors and water to play Holi with flowers. The priests of the Banke Bihari temple of Vrindavan shower flowers on the visitors as soon as the doors of the temple are opened.
podcast | From Martial Arts to Lathmar, Unique Traditions of Holi in India
warrior holi
Yodha Holi is also known as ‘Hola Mohalla’ in Punjab. Marking the beginning of the Sikh New Year, Hola Mohalla is celebrated by Sikhs around the world. Initiated by Sikh Guru Gobind Singh for the Holi festival, it is more about a display of physical agility. Wrestling, art, imitation sword fighting, acrobatics are military exercises and turban tying.
spring festival
Basant Utsav is the soul of Shantiniketan, a university town founded by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in the hinterland of West Bengal. Keeping the spirit of spring right, the color yellow dominates the festival. In the beginning, the Basant Utsav is a powerful depiction of the cultural heritage of Bengal. Women participate in the festivities in yellow sarees, blending the bright colors of the festival to create a unique energy, nurturing the spirit of the spring festival.
Holi celebrations in eastern regions such as Assam, Bengal and Odisha are marked as “Dol Yatra” or “Dol Purnima”, popularly abbreviated as “Dol”. It is celebrated on the full moon day and is dedicated to Lord Krishna.
Khadi Holi
Holi celebrations, celebrated in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, translate into music festivals, where locals wear traditional attire, sing Khari songs and roam the streets in groups.
Phagua
Fagua is a popular dance form originally among the tribes living in Jharkhand and neighboring Bihar. Holi is known as Faguwa in the local Bhojpuri dialect and this dance is performed during Holi celebrations. However, before playing Holi in Bihar, it is necessary to light the pyre of Holika.
yaosang
Holi in Manipur is known as Yaosang and consists of six days long celebrations. Burning of huts made of grass and twigs, traditional folk dance, worship of Lord Krishna, playing with colors are all part of the celebration. The main attraction is Thabal Chongba, a Manipuri folk dance that is performed during the festival.
Shimga
In Maharashtra, Holi is popularly known as Shimga or Rang Panchami. The festivities include Holika Dahan and similar rituals celebrated in the north, but what sets it apart is the extensive Rang Utsav which takes place on the fifth day after Holika Dahan, making it a week long in the state.
Manjal Kulik
In the southern region, Holi is celebrated as Ukuli or Manjal Kuli. The traditional festival is celebrated among Konkani and Kudumbi communities in Kerala and the primary color turmeric is used. However, there is no tradition of celebrating Holi in Kerala.
Dhulandi
Holi is widely recognized as the Dhulandi festival in Jaipur and neighboring regions of Rajasthan, and is celebrated on the second day after Holika Dahan. Holika Dahan or traditional bonfire is celebrated after sunset on the first day of Holi, and is known by many names, the most popular of them being Choti Holi and Holika Deepak.