Festival of colours Holi

Holi

Holi is an ancient Hindu religious festival which has become popular with non-Hindus as well in many parts of South Asia, as well as people of other communities outside Asia. In addition to India and Nepal, the festival is celebrated by Indian subcontinent diaspora in countries such as Jamaica,Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, South Africa, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Mauritius, and Fiji.In recent years the festival has spread to parts of Europe and North America as a spring celebration of love, frolic, and colours.

Different Types of Holi Celebrations in India

Shimga or Rang Panchami – Maharashtra

 Western India, particularly in Maharashtra, Holi is colloquially known as Rang Panchami or Shimga. The celebrations include all the Holika Dahan, a common tradition which involves lighting a firewood pyre on the night before the actual celebrations. On the following morning, which is the Rang Panchami day, people celebrate Holi with wet and dry colours and water. The festivities here 

Royal Holi – Rajasthan

North India, Uttrakhand, we discover that Holi here is actually known by a number of different names. Baithaki Holi, Mahila Holi, Khadi Holi are all common names for the festival here. Festivities here include revellers donning traditional attire and singing & dancing to folk tunes going around the city. This gathering of people is known as a Toli and locals greet each other by smearing colour on each other’s faces and dancing and singing all along. Unlike other parts of India, song and dance are an essential part of the Holi celebrations in Uttarakhand.

Lathmar Holi – Uttar Pradesh, one of the popular Holi celebrations in India

 

Up the largest state of India and also one of the most interesting Holi celebrations in India. Lathmar Holi as it is known in local Bhojpuri has a really different approach to the entire Holi festivities. Women here are armed with lathis, canes meant to hit the men and boys playfully during the festivities. The men, in turn, come prepared with a dhal, or a shield to protect themselves. The unlucky men who happen to get caught by the women are made to dress in female attire and dance on the streets. All of this is done primarily in jest and not aggressively.

Largely celebrated all across Uttar Pradesh, Lathmar Holi finds its origins in Hindu Mythology. It is believed that Lord Krishna tried to tease Radha and play Holi with her in her village Barsana. 

Phaguwa – Bihar

Bihar where Holi is known as Phaguwa in the local dialect, Bhojpuri. Like many other Indian states, Holika Dahan is an integral part of the celebrations here as well. The celebrations of Holika Dahan too are similar to other states. On the following day, Holi is celebrated with wet and dry colours and traditional music and folk songs throughout the day.

Yaosang – Manipur

Northeastern Gem, Manipur! Holi here is celebrated over six long days and is locally known as Yaosang. The festivities here blend indigenous North Eastern and Hindi traditions. While there is a celebration of Holi with colours both dry and wet, the highlight of Holi here is the Thabal Chongba, a traditional Manipuri folk dance that is performed during the celebrations.

Dol Jatra aka Basant Utsav – West Bengal

West Bengal! Holi here is known as Basant Utsav or Dol Jatra. Basant essentially means spring in Bengali while Utsav means festival. Women here dress mainly in yellow, a colour that signifies abundance. If you want to get the best seats to watch the celebrations here, head to Shanti Niketan in a quaint location known as Bolpur. This little place is the epicentre of everything that depicts the rich Bengali culture. Holi celebrations here are unparalleled till date. In addition to the many colours that are always a part of Holi, there is also recitals of Rabindranath Tagore’s poetry and traditional song & dance programs.

The day after Holi is celebrated as Dol Jatra. On this day, a grand procession of Lord Krishna is taken through the streets of Bengal accompanied by singing and dancing revellers. This is often accompanied by the traditional smearing of colour on the faces of friends, family and at times even strangers who are celebrating!

Lola – Odisha

on our list of different Holi celebrations in India is Dola, celebrated in the northern state of Odisha. Holi celebrations here are quite similar to those in West Bengal. The main highlight, however, is that Holi in Odisha celebrates Lord Jagannath, also known as Dolagovinda. Along with the traditional smearing of wet and dry colours, there are processions of Lord Jagannath seen throughout the many different cities and towns

Ukuli aka Manjal Kuli – Kerala

God’s Own Country, Kerala. This state has its own unique version of Holi in the form of Manjal Kuli, also known as Ukuli. The Kudumbi and Konkani communities of Kerala are known to celebrate in this traditional manner and the festivities should not be missed! Unlike many other states of India, here the major colour used is turmeric or Manjal Kuli

Shigmo – Goa

Goa the party capital of India. Shigmo, the local name for Holi in Goa is a massive celebration of spring. Street dances and traditional folk songs are performed by the local farmers. And like every celebration in Goa, tourists take part with equal fervour in the Shigmo festivities as well. There are also many traditional Shigmo Parades conducted in various parts of the state which are a sight for the sore eyes!