Holi 2023: India’s widely diverse culture is one of the key features that sets it apart from the rest of the world. With different traditional dress, food and cultural festivals for almost every state, even a national festival in India is celebrated in different ways and with different titles from time to time goes. For the auspicious occasion of Holi, let us travel across all the states and see how the festival is celebrated differently in India.
Rang Panchami (Maharashtra)
Holi is also known as Shigma or Rang Panchami in Maharashtra. After sunset on the full moon, the festivities begin with the lighting of a pyre of firewood (Holika), symbolizing the victory of good over evil. The next day is ‘Rang Panchami’, when people apply color – ‘gulal’ and sprinkle water on each other. You can also expect the tangy delicious puran poli of the state to be served on the occasion.
In pictures: Unique Holi Traditions
Royal Holi (Rajasthan)
Heading north to Udaipur, Rajasthan, residents follow the traditional Holika Dahan ritual, though in a slightly different way. The royal Mewar family of Udaipur organizes the celebrations, which are famous for being very spectacular. As part of the festivities, there is a huge procession involving several decked horses and royal bands. Later the traditional bonfire is lit and the effigy of Holika is set on fire.
Hola Mohalla (Punjab)
Things get more exciting as we head north towards Sadda Punjab. Holi is called Holla Mohalla in this area. It is a day after Holi and commemorates the valor of the Sikh warriors. Nihang Sikhs, a special sect of Sikhs, are famous for their festivals. The ceremony begins with a grand display of traditional martial arts, followed by music and dance.
Lathmar Holi (Uttar Pradesh)
Holi celebrations in India’s largest state are one of the most interesting. Lathmar Holi, as it is known in local Bhojpuri, takes a unique approach to Holi celebrations. The women are armed with lathis, which are canes that are used to playfully beat men and boys during the festivities.
Read also: Holi 2023: Lord Krishna’s connection to the festival of colors
On the other hand, males come with shields or shields to protect themselves. The unlucky boys caught by the women are forced to dress like women and dance in the streets.
All this is done in good fun. The origin of Lathmar Holi can be traced to Hindu mythology. Lord Krishna is said to have tried to tease Radha by playing Holi with her in Barsana. This enraged the women of the locality and chased him away with sticks.
Kahila Holi or Khari Holi or Baithki Holi (Uttarakhand)
When we reach Uttarakhand, our final destination in North India, we learn that Holi is known by different names here. The holiday is also known as Baithki Holi, Mahila Holi and Khari Holi.
Revelers dressed in traditional dress dance and sing to folk tunes played throughout the city throughout the festivities. Locals greet each other by applying color on their faces and dancing and singing all the way.
Fagua (Bihar).
Let us now move east to Bihar, where Holi is known as Phaguwa in the native Bhojpuri dialect. Holika Dahan, as in many other Indian states, is an important component of the festivities. Holika Dahan celebrations are comparable to those of other states. The next day Holi is celebrated with wet and dry colours, traditional music and folk songs throughout the day.
Manjal Kuli (Kerala)
Holi is not as popular in the South as it is in other regions. Kerala, on the other hand, has its own set of festivals around this time, complete with traditional folk songs and turmeric-based watercolours. Local people, especially from the Konkani and Kudumbi population, visit the temple on the first day and continue the festivities on the second day.
Dol Jatra/Spring Festival (West Bengal)
The land of Rasgulla calls this festival Dol Jatra or Basant Utsav. Basant is Bengali for spring, while Utsav is Bengali for celebration. Women wear a lot of yellow, which is a color that represents abundance. Bolpur’s Santiniketan, popularized by the revered Tagore family, is the best place to witness the grand celebrations.
The celebration of Holi in this city is unmatched even today. Apart from the many colors that are usually a part of Holi, there are poetry performances made famous by Rabindranath Tagore and traditional song and dance programs. Dol Jatra is celebrated on the next day of Holi. On this day a grand procession of Lord Krishna is taken out through the streets of Bengal, in which singing and dancing are enjoyed.
Shigmo (Goa)
Shigmo is the name of the spring festival of Goa. Apart from playing with colours, it is planned as a big carnival with traditional folk songs and street dances. Because Goa is a coastal state where fishing is the main source of income, the fishermen’s boats are brightly painted with religious and mythological themes.
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