Unique traditions of Holi in North, East, West and South of India - watsupptoday.com
Unique traditions of Holi in North, East, West and South of India
Posted 06 Mar 2020 05:07 PM

Source: TOI

Holi is a festival of colours, and this year too it will be no different. This is one aspect of the festival that we are completely aware of. But what is fascinating about India is the mix of language, music, dialect, clothes and almost everything. And the same goes with Holi too. The way it is celebrated in North India, you will be amazed to know that down South, Holi is celebrated in a completely different fervour. This intriguing diversity even in celebrating a single festival makes India an epitome of diversity. While some rituals might seem to be a part of merriment in one part of the country, it might seem bizarre in the other part; but this is what defines India.

Here take a peep into the unique styles of celebrating this colourful festival in different parts of our country.

1. Lathmar Holi – Barsana Village, Uttar Pradesh



Holi is celebrated with much fervour and intensity in Barsana, which is situated around 27 km from Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. Barsana’s Holi, popularly known as Lathmaar Holi, is one of the well-known pilgrimage centres of the country, and it is also the birthplace of Radha. Here, Holi is not celebrated only with colours, but also with lathis. If words are to go by, Lord Krishna visited Barsana and teased both his beloved Radha and her friends. The ladies of Barsana, however, did not take this lightly; they chased him away. Since then, the tradition has it that women chase men with lathis during Holi. Point to be noted — men come prepared too and it’s crazy to witness this event.

2. Holla Mohalla - Punjab



Holla Mohalla is celebrated a day after Holi by Nihang Sikhs. Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh guru, initiated the Holla Mohalla festival to develop the martial skills of the community. Holla Mohalla, also known as Warrior Holi in this part of the country, is celebrated by warriors taking part in kushti, martial arts, mock sword fights, and various other strength-related exercises. The warriors perform these stunts to showcase their courage and strength. The warriors also recite poems, which is then followed by the usual colourful Holi celebration.

3. Dol Jatra – West Bengal



Basant Utsav or Dol Jatra is celebrated to welcome spring season in West Bengal. Special celebration at Shantiniketan takes place on this day. People gather and perform pujas to Lord Krishna. Devotees on this day, place the idol of Radha and Krishna in a palanquin, which is fully decorated with clothes, flowers and leaves. Devotees then proceed for the procession by swinging the palanquin, and dancing and singing songs. While the women sing religious songs and dance around the swings, men spray powder, known as ‘abeer,’ and coloured water.

4. Yosang – Manipur



In Manipur, this colourful festival is celebrated for five days and is popularly known as ‘Yawol Shang,’ to pay tribute to Manipur God ‘Pakhangba.’ After sunset, people start this celebration with the tradition of burning hut called ‘Yaosang Mei Thaba,’ which is followed by the tradition ‘nakatheng’ that allows kids to visit every home to seek donations. Local bands perform in temples on the second day. Girls seek donation on the second and third day, and on the last two days, people celebrate this festival by spraying water and colours on each other.

5. Rang Panchami - Maharashtra



This part of the country celebrates Holi festival in the most exciting way possible. People start the celebration after burning the effigy of Holika, which signifies the victory of good over evil. This ceremony is performed after the sunset on Purnimasi tithe. The next day, which is Phalgun Krushnapaksh Panchami, is called Rangpanchami. People gather and smear ‘gulal’ and splash water on each other. Also, the state’s special Holi delicacy is ‘Puran Poli’ that you must definitely gorge on if you are in the city during this time.

6. Manjul Kuli – Kerala



Quite interestingly, Holi is not celebrated with much enthusiasm in most Southern parts of India like it is celebrated in Northern India. Here a handful of communities celebrate this festival of colour. Holi in Kerala is known by the name Manjul Kuli, which is celebrated in Gosripuram Thiruma’s Konkani Temple. While on the first day, devotees visit temple, on the second day, people spray on each other coloured water, which contains turmeric, and dance on traditional folk songs.

7. Shigmo - Goa



In this part of the country, people enjoy this festival by organising traditional folk and street dances. Shigmo festival is meant to celebrate spring season in Goa. During this time, boats are decorated with regional and spiritual themes. There are two forms of Shigmo celebration—Dhakto Shigmo and Vhadlo Shigmo, which means small and big. Rural population, particularly the labour class and farmers, celebrate Dhakto Shigmo, whereas all class of people celebrate Vhadlo Shigmo.

This really shows how Holi festival has taken a multicultural character and is celebrated in different manners in North, East, West, and South of our county. So if you really want to enjoy the real essence of this festival, don’t be a mere watcher. Take part in these events of merry-making, and as you make your way through the varied landscapes of our country, exploring various styles of celebrating a single festival, you will realise why we say “it happens only in India.”

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