When calendar indicates the arrival of spring, in India the season is welcomed with great zeal and fun with its greatest festival, Holi.
With the advent of the spring season that symbolizes new beginnings, rejuvenation, and everything related to life which is brimming, sunny and optimistic, Holi, which is the greatest Indian festival is celebrated with vibrant color and water.
Often stated as the “colorful festival”, Holi holds a share of a mythical story with it. It is related to the victory of good over evil. The celebration usually starts by burning bonfire “Holika” after sunset on the day before the actual festival, on which people throw color, gulaal, and water on each other.
Here are the top 7 places to observe The Colorful Celebration Of Holi In India!
Lathmar Holi, Uttar Pradesh
Often celebrated in the Mathura, Barsana and Vrindavan regions of Uttar Pradesh, the Lathmar Holi is all about a tradition where women chase their men and beat them playfully with sticks (Lathis). The Lathmar Holi in Uttar Pradesh is celebrated a week before the actual Holi festival.
It is said that the tradition of chasing and beating men with lathis dates back to the time of Dwaparyug, the days when Lord Krishna went to meet his beautiful beloved Radha and had mischievously teased her & her friends. And to take revenge, he was then chased by the women with lathis.
Since then, men from the Nandgaon region visit the Barsana region every year to be welcomed by lathis. During this beautiful traditional festival, men try to escape from women and those who get caught are required entertain women wearing female dresses and dancing in front of everyone.
Kumaoni Holi is yet another tradition of celebrating Holi in Kumaon village, Uttar Pradesh, where this colorful festival marks the celebration of good winning over evil. This Kumaoni Holi over here is celebrated in three distinct forms namely-
- Khadi Holi, where men dress-up in traditional attires and dance & sing various Holi songs along the tunes of Hurka and Dhol.
- Baithaki Holi, various musical performances, and songs based on Lord Krishna’s life are sung on the beats of classical instruments- harmonium and tabla, at the local community centers.
- Mahila Holi, it is just the same as Baithaki Holi, the only difference is- it exclusively organized for women only.
Hola Mohalla, Punjab
Yet another unique style of Holi celebration that usually takes place in Punjab is Hola Mohalla. Also referred as Warrior Holi, during this festival the participants (the warriors from Nihang Sikhs community) exhibit their fighting (Kushti) and martial arts skills to show their courage and strength.
The celebration is usually followed a day after the typically colorful Holi. Started in 1701 by Guru Gobind Singh (Sikh guru), this unique trend of celebrating Holi has gained immense popularity and had spread all the way from Anandpur Sahib to the Kiratpur Sahib.
Dol Yatra, West Bengal
Dol Yatra is yet another style of Holi celebration of West Bengal, in which devotees pay tribute to Lord Krishna and Radha by placing their images or idols in palanquins decorated with leaves, flowers, and colorful clothes. While devotees sing songs and dance while swinging palanquins during the procession, men spray water and throw colors on the devotees.
Royal Holi, Udaipur
Wanna experience a royal celebration of Holi? Then Udaipur the city of Kingdoms will let you celebrate royally. The Royal Holi celebration organized by the royal family of Mewar is simply picturesque. During this festival, the present king of Mewar dynasty light-up the Holika Dehan bonfire, which is then followed by the fancy, colorful and elaborated processions of royal band shows, decorated horses, and dance performances.
Yaosang, Manipur
Celebrated for almost five days, this colorful festival in Manipur is often referred as the ‘Yaosang’, during which devotees pay tribute to their god “Lord Pakhangba”. The festival begins with the hut (Yaosang Mei Thaba) burning tradition after the sunset, followed by the ‘Nakatheng’ in which small children visit each home seeking monetary donations on the first day.
While on the second day, local band performances are organized in the temples and little girls on the second & third day seek monetary donations from relatives and friends. And on the last two days, the festival is celebrated with great zeal with lots of colors and water.
Rang Panchami, Maharashtra
Rang Panchami is one of the most fun styles of Holi which is celebrated in Maharashtra. Starting off with the Purnimasi tithe of burning Holika after sunset that symbolizes the victory of good over evil, is then followed by “Rang Panchami” where people sprinkle gulaal, water and other colors on each other while dancing and singing. Special delicacy, “Puran Poli” is prepared to offer to god during this festival.
I’m sure that you’ve made your mind to feel the joy one of above destination in this holi. Plan your trip soon, there are 34 hotel booking offers available.
Happy Holi!