Holi is among the most important festivals celebrated in India. It occurs every year somewhere between the end of February to the beginning of March. It is celebrated primarily as a symbol of the triumph of good over evil and is inspired by historical stories. In the year 2023, the official Holi will be between March 6 to March 8.
According to one tradition, Holi is celebrated to commemorate the rescue of Prahlad by Lord Vishnu from her evil father Hiranyakashyap and aunt Holika.
The festival is celebrated in a variety of manners across the country and goes on for over a week. The common practices in the different versions of Holi include a bonfire and applying of colour by people on each other's faces. This is done to symbolize love and togetherness. You can expect a good amount of activities such as singing and dancing and consuming special beverages throughout the festival.
Types of Holi Celebrated Across India
The many diverse ways of celebrating this spring festival of colours are a testament to the cultural diversity that characterizes the Indian subcontinent. Some of them are:
Lathmar Holi - Uttar Pradesh
This tradition is said to have been in practice from the era when Lord Krishna used to play Holi with Radha together with their friends at Barsana. Krishna was known to have been an avid prankster who would tease the Gopis as he smeared colour on them. The latter would in turn retaliate by hitting Krishna and his friends with bamboo sticks.
Through the ages, this has been commemorated by men from Nandgaon visiting Barsana to play Holi with local women. All visitors are welcome to join in the fun and festivities as well.
Dhulandi Holi - Haryana
Dhulandi celebrates the bond shared between a Devar (brother-in-law) and Bhabi (sister-in-law). This relationship of annoying each other by playing pranks is comparable to bonds shared by partners in crime.
While the Devars initiate the game of pranks, the Bhabis get the special advantage of dragging the former in mock rage. Apt payback for the tricks played upon them. Aside from the usual ritual of splashing water and smearing colours, the essential feature of Holi lies in the joy it brings people. A welcome respite from an otherwise mundane life.
Rangpanchami - Maharashtra
Among the myriad ways of celebrating Holi, the Maharashtrian Rangpanchami is yet another elegant style. Celebrated five days before Phulgun Purnima, the excitement seems never-ending.
During Krishna’s time, women of the neighbourhood will hide their butter in the highest points of their houses to keep them safe. This measure was taken to safeguard the butter from Krishna and his thieving friends.
To commemorate these antics, pandals are set every year to break pots. These pots are hung from a great height and pyramids are formed by a large number of boys. Trained boys will then proceed to climb the pyramid.
As they do so, women will splash colour and water on them to prevent them from reaching the top. This is a sight that brings some pep and cheer to an otherwise demanding city life.
Shigmo - Goa
Shgmo Utsava is celebrated with great splendour for 14 days every year. Originally taking place in rural settings the festival has moved to grand parades across the towns. The spectacular performances are witnessed by large crowds. Once the sun has set, the lights come on and a float parade will wind its way down the streets.
Music is typically played on dhols, taashas, and kasales. The festivities usually revolve around the village Mand and the Mand-Dev along with other folk deities are an important part of the tradition.
There are two varieties of Shigmo that are celebrated. Dhakla (younger) is celebrated in Ponda, Tiswadi, Quepem, and Calangute. Thorla (elder) is held in Sattari, Bardez, Pernem, and Bicholim.
Dol Jatra - West Bengal
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The region has a way of ushering in the festival of colours in a manner that is as sweet as Roshagulla. Women adorn themselves in yellow which signifies abundance. The celebrations are carried out with vibrant music and colours. Additionally, you will also get to experience a poetry recital of the works of Rabindranath Tagore.
The main festival of Holi celebrated on the first day is followed by the Dol Jatra. A grand and spectacular procession takes place through the streets in honour of Lord Krishna. The procession is accompanied by revellers engaged in festive dancing and singing.
Hola Mohalla - Punjab
This version is celebrated by Nihang Sikhs and is popularly known as the “Holi of the warrior”. You will see a very unique approach to the festival, characterized by martial arts displays, songs, and dance. Very much like Dol Jatra, the main Hola Mohalla celebration takes place on the day after Holi.
At Anandpur Sahib, an entire day of fun and frolic occurs in an open ground across the Charan Ganga creek. The event finally concludes with a military-style procession near Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib.
Phoolon Ki Holi - Vrindavan
Phoolon Ki Holi is celebrated on Ekadashi which is the eleventh that occurs twice in the Vedic calendar month. Revellers play with fresh flower petals with great fervor in Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan.
The exquisite and fragrant ambience will take you to a different world. Unlike the usual Holi festival which is played with water and colours, it is more about a divine communion of love and joy by showering God with flowers. While the celebration is not too lengthy, it is enough to take you into a surreal world.
Royal Holi - Jaipur
Already renowned as the “Pink City” Jaipur is truly a sight to behold on Holi. Just as in Haryana, the Rajasthani version of Holi is also commonly known as Dhulandi.
On this day the trademark pink of the city has to share the stage wide a wide spectrum of numerous colours. Every year a grand ceremony is organized by the royals in their condominium. This adds to the excitement the festival instills in locals and foreigners alike.`
Kaman Pandigai - Tamil Nadu
The occasion of Holi carries a different significance to the people of Tamil Nadu. It is believed that on this day the revered Lord Kamadeva, the God Of Love was resurrected by Lord Shiva. Instead of the usual practice of smearing colour, sandalwood is offered to Lord Kaamdeva to ease his pain.
Songs depicting the grief of Kaamdeva’s Raathi are sung. Her sadness was caused by her husband being burnt to ashes after incurring the wrath of Lord Shiva. The latter was distracted from his meditation after being hit with Kaamdeva’s arrow.
He in turn vented his ire on Kaamdeva not knowing that the arrow was meant to make him fall in love. It is shortly after this that Lord Shiva married Parvathi.
Manjul Kuli - Kerala
Holi celebrations in Kerala also known as Manjul Kuli are a fairly mellow affair. On the first day of the festival, people visit Gosripuram Thiruma’s Knonani temple after having played with water and turmeric sans the usual colours on the previous day.
The main celebration is performed by singing some graceful and serene traditional folk songs.
Phalgun Purnima - Bihar
Holi in Bihar signifies the fertility of the land that brings good harvests. On the eve of the festival, bonfires are lit but putting grains from the fresh harvest along with cow dong cakes along with the wood of the Holika tree.
Since Holi marks the beginning of the new year in Bihar, people clean their houses to bring prosperity and positivity to their lives. Besides smearing colours, Biharis also like to use mud. The consumption of intoxicating bhang and dancing to the tune of folk songs puts people in a very festive mood indeed.
Pakuwah
This native version of Holi in Assam shares many similar characteristics with Dol Jatra. The festivities are carried on over two days. On the first day, a clay hut is burned to celebrate the triumph of righteousness. The second day is when people follow the usual nationwide practice of smearing and spraying colours on one another.
Explore these places, and fill your memories with this colorful festival. And, nothing would be better than reaching these places by train. Using trains as a travel medium would enhance your overall experience. With Trainman, you can get upto Rs. 200 off by using code “Rang200” while booking your train tickets.
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