The colours of ‘Festival of Colours’: Holi in different parts of India

‘Bura naa maano holi hai!’

Holi is one of the most popular and widely celebrated festivals in India. It is a festival of colors, love, and joy, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm by people of all ages and backgrounds. Holi is celebrated in different ways in various parts of the country, each with its own unique customs and traditions. But the main message of holi is evil is defeated by goodness. Here are some of the different types of Holi celebrated in India:

Lathmar Holi, Uttar Pradesh

This type of Holi is mainly celebrated in the towns of Barsana and Nandgaon in Uttar Pradesh. In this tradition, women playfully hit men with sticks while men try to shield themselves. It is believed that this tradition originates from the love story of Lord Krishna and Radha, where Krishna visited Radha’s village and teased her and her friends.

Phoolonwali Holi, Uttar Pradesh

This type of Holi is celebrated in various parts of the country, including Vrindavan and Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. In this tradition, people shower each other with flower petals instead of colors, making it a more gentle and peaceful celebration.

Rang Panchami, Maharashtra

This type of Holi is celebrated in Maharashtra and parts of Madhya Pradesh. It is observed five days after the main Holi festival and involves playing with colors and water.

Basant Utsav, West Bengal

This type of Holi is celebrated in West Bengal, particularly in the town of Shantiniketan. It is a cultural festival that is also known as the spring festival, which marks the arrival of spring and the end of winter. People celebrate by wearing yellow clothes, singing songs, and dancing.

Hola Mohalla, Punjab

This type of Holi is celebrated in the Sikh community in Punjab. It is a three-day festival that involves martial arts displays, processions, and community service.

Yaosang, Manipur

This type of Holi is celebrated in Manipur and is also known as the Manipuri Holi. It is a six-day festival that involves the burning of a thatched hut on the first day, followed by traditional dance performances and the throwing of colored water and powders.

In conclusion, Holi is celebrated in various ways in different parts of India, each with its own unique customs and traditions. Whether it’s the playful stick-fighting of Lathmar Holi or the gentle flower-petal shower of Phoolonwali Holi, Holi is a celebration of joy, love, and togetherness that unites people from all walks of life.