Holi is a cultural festival of Indian origin, also known as the festival of colors. It is a Hindu festival that is widely celebrated throughout India. This festival is also celebrated in Nepal with the same zeal and enthusiasm as in India. The time to celebrate this festival is the spring season, which is in or around March. After Holi, summer begins in India.
Just as every festival celebrated in India has a story and moral behind it, Holi is also a festival of the victory of good over evil. The story of different regions is different, but the essence of all is the same. No matter where Holi is celebrated, one thing is common and that is – mutual love of people, enthusiasm and passion filled with joy in hearts.
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Introduction to Holi Festival
According to the Hindu calendar, Holika Dahan is performed every year on the full moon day of the month of Phalgun and Holi (Dhulandi) is celebrated the next day. Holi is celebrated on Chaitra-Krishna-Pratipada. It is a two-day festival, the first day of which is Holika Dahan, and the second day is Dhulandi or Holi.
Holika Dahan – The first and starting day of the festival is Holika Dahan. On this day, a group of wood sticks is made in an orderly manner at the crossroads or any wide area, which is called Holi. Rangoli is made around it. Colors and flowers are used to make rangoli. Holi is lit at a certain time according to the religious muhurta. A large number of people come everywhere to see it. This event takes place in the evening.
Dhulandi or Holi – The next day after Holika Dahan, early in the morning, everyone goes to the market to celebrate Dhulandi. Everyone takes a bundle of colors with them. This color powder is called ‘Gulaal’. The whole market is full of people. People are seen dancing and singing to the tune of music everywhere. People meet each other and express love and happiness by applying color on their faces. They go door to door to relatives, neighbors and friends and wish them Happy Holi. The hosts bring fruits, sweets, Thandai etc. for the guests. In this way Holi is a symbol of happiness, love, enthusiasm and passion. This festival is also a celebration of strengthening relationships.
Most famous Holi celebrations in India
Holi is celebrated in many ways in the country according to different regions and reasons. Here are some of the most famous Holi destinations in India. –
Masan Holi in Varanasi
Masaan Holi in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh is completely different from the colorful fun of common Holi. It is organized at Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, and the cremation grounds of Varanasi city, especially Manikarnika and Harishchandra Ghats. Rangbhari Ekadashi is celebrated four days before Holi. A day after Rangbhari Ekadashi, devotees gather to play Holi with the ashes of cremation (Masaan ki ash).
According to the legend, on the day of Rangbhari Ekadashi, Mahadev brought Mother Parvati to Kashi after her ‘Gauna Ceremony’. At that time, he played Holi with gulal with everyone. But ghosts, spirits and animals were not able to celebrate this festival. After this, they played Masaan ki Holi on the next day of Rangbhari Ekadashi. It is believed that from then on the tradition of celebrating Masaan ki Holi with the ashes of the pyre started.
The atmosphere here is a mix of solemnity and celebration, where Aghoris, sadhus and other devotees smear themselves with ashes accompanied by the rhythmic sound of the Damru. This act symbolizes detachment from worldly attachments and acceptance of the transitory nature of existence. Masaan Holi is a powerful reminder that even amidst the celebration of life, death is an eternal truth, and spiritual liberation is the ultimate goal. This unique Holi celebrated with cremation ashes thus represents the presence of the eternal Shiva, free from the cycle of life and death. It is a practice that gives the message of rejoicing in the ultimate truth of life, i.e. death and impermanence.
Lathmar Holi Festival in Barsana
Lathmar Holi in Barsana, near Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, India, is a unique and playful form of traditional Holi celebration. It is an annual event in which women “beat up” men with sticks.
The legend behind Lathmar Holi is linked to the story of Lord Krishna, who came to Barsana with his friends and teased Radha and her friends. Angered by this, the women chased them away with sticks.
During Lathmar Holi, men from Nandgaon (Krishna’s village) come to Barsana, and the women of Barsana (Radha’s village) chase and beat them up, armed with sticks. The men in turn try to protect themselves. This playful fight is accompanied by folk songs, dance, and the vibrant colors of Holi.
The event is a celebration of the playful relationship between Radha and Krishna, and is full of cultural tradition, humor, and energy. It draws huge crowds of people from all walks of life, local, national, and international, who come from all over the world to witness this unique and exciting festival.
Phoolon wali Holi in Vrindavan
Flower Holi in Vrindavan, the land of Lord Krishna, is a fragrant and serene celebration of the festival of colours. Holi is played with flower petals instead of gulal (coloured powder) and is played amid a shower of petals.
Held at the Banke Bihari temple, this celebration takes place a few days before the main Holi festival (Phalguna Purnima). The priests throw handfuls of colourful and fragrant flower petals on the gathered devotees, creating a mesmerising scene of a shower of flowers. Devotional songs are sung in the temple premises, filling the atmosphere with chants and the sweet fragrance of flowers.
It symbolises the bliss of love and divine union between Radha and Krishna. Celebrated in a gentle and peaceful manner, Vrindavan’s Flower Holi offers a combined experience of joy and spirituality.
Basant Utsav in Shantiniketan, West Bengal
Basant Utsav in Santiniketan, West Bengal is a unique and culturally rich celebration of Holi, imbued with the spirit of Rabindranath Tagore. Unlike the colourful games that take place elsewhere, it is a refined and artistic expression of the arrival of spring.
Students of Visva-Bharati University, founded by Tagore, perform cultural programmes, which include songs, dances and poetry recitations, all inspired by Tagore’s works. They wear yellow attire, symbolising the vibrancy of spring. The festival blends traditional Holi elements with Tagore’s vision of harmony with nature.
Coloured powders are used, but in a more restrained and artistic manner. The emphasis is on celebrating the beauty of spring through artistic expression, fostering a sense of community and cultural appreciation. Basant Utsav is a testament to Tagore’s legacy, transforming Holi into a celebration of art, nature and intellectual vibrancy.
Pushkar Holi Festival
Holi in Pushkar is a dynamic blend of traditional celebration and modern festivities, making it a unique experience. On the occasion of Holi, this holy city of Rajasthan turns into a vibrant hub, attracting a diverse mix of local and international travelers.
The central square becomes a focal point, filled with music, dance and scenes of colorful powdered gulal. This creates an atmosphere where cultural boundaries are blurred, promoting a sense of shared joy. Expect high-energy gatherings, live music and a generally carefree atmosphere that welcomes everyone to join in the festivities.
Beyond the vibrant color play, Pushkar offers a deep cultural immersion. Alongside the energetic festivities, visitors can experience traditional Rajasthani folk music and dance, which add a rich cultural layer to the celebration. Many also take the opportunity to take a dip in the sacred Pushkar Lake. The overall atmosphere is electric with a palpable sense of excitement and camaraderie. Pushkar Holi offers a memorable and inclusive experience, where the traditional spirit of the festival merges with a vibrant, global celebration.
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