One festival, many styles, special traditions of Holi in different states of the country
India is a country of festivals, where every festival is not just a celebration but a confluence of culture, tradition and emotions. Among these festivals, Holi is a festival which is considered a symbol of color and brotherhood. It is not just a day of playing with colors, but a symbol of mutual love and unity. On the day of Holi, people apply colors on each other. Holi is celebrated all over the country but the way of celebrating this festival and the name of the festival is different in every state. Holi is celebrated in different styles from Bengal to Uttar Pradesh.
Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout the country but the way, traditions and rituals of celebrating it are different in every state. Somewhere Holi is played with flowers, somewhere in a wooden style, somewhere bhajans and kirtans are performed, and somewhere this festival is celebrated with folk songs and special customs. For example, in Bihar, Holi is called Fagua and there Holi is celebrated in a different style. Similarly, Holi is celebrated in different ways and traditions in different states of the country. Although the feeling of celebrating the festival is the same, only the way of celebrating is different. Now the question arises that how is Holi celebrated in different states of India?
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Dol Jatra of Bengal
Holi is celebrated as Dol Jatra in West Bengal. During Dol Yatra, people decorate the idols of Lord Krishna and Radha, after which they worship them. Also, many types of sweets are offered to Lord Radha-Shyam. Then the house, neighborhood and relatives together sing bhajans and kirtans. On this day people apply gulal to each other, which is a symbol of love and unity. Also remember God while dancing and singing.
Meduru Holi of Andhra Pradesh
Holi is called Meduru Holi in Andhra Pradesh. Here Holi is celebrated for ten days. People apply color and gulal on each other. Lord Shri Krishna is worshiped on the day of Holi. Also, folk songs named Kolatam are sung here.
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Manjal Kuli Holi of Kerala
This Holi is mainly celebrated by the people of Konkani and Kudumbi communities of Kerala. Here on the day of Holi, Holi is not played with colors and gulal, rather Holi is celebrated by applying turmeric water or turmeric paste on each other. The body and mind are purified by applying turmeric on each other, which is sometimes also called turmeric bath. In Sanskrit, Manjal means turmeric and Kuli means bath. Therefore Holi in Kerala is called Manjal Kuli Holi.
Goa’s Shimgo Holi
Holi in Goa is called Shimgo Holi. Here Holi is celebrated for five days after Holika Dahan. This festival is especially celebrated by the fishermen community here. The festival of Holi is celebrated with joy and happiness through lots of colors, dishes and dance and songs.
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Rang Panchami of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh
Holi is celebrated as Rang Panchami in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Here the celebration of Holi continues for five days after Holika Dahan. Special worship of Gods and Goddesses is done during these five days. Regarding Rang Panchami, it is said that in earlier times, Holi was celebrated for several days and it was considered to end with Rang Panchami. After this no one played Holi, hence it is called Rang Panchami.
Hola Mohalla of Punjab
Holi festival is celebrated with great pomp in Punjab. Hola Mohalla is especially celebrated by people of Sikh religion. This festival continues for three consecutive days. People first perform bhajan-kirtan in the Gurudwara. A warrior style Holi is celebrated here, in which people perform martial arts. On the day of Holi, colors and abeer are also thrown on each other.
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Fagua Holi of Bihar
In Bihar, Holi is called Fagua Holi. Here songs of Phagun month are sung on the day of Holi. Water colors and gulal are applied on each other. Here the celebration of Holi starts from Basant Panchami and continues till the day of Holi. On the day of Holi, colors are played in the morning, then in the evening people wear new clothes and go to the homes of friends and relatives. There sweets are served and greetings are given by applying gulal.
Kumaoni Holi of Uttarakhand
Holi is celebrated in a different way in Uttarakhand. Here Holi is celebrated not only with colors but also through acting, dance and songs. On the day of Holi, people wear traditional clothes of their culture and apply colors together.
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Lathmar Holi of Uttar Pradesh
Lathmar Holi of Uttar Pradesh is famous all over the world. This Holi is celebrated in Barsana, where the women of Barsana symbolically shower sticks on the men. Apart from this, Holi with flowers is also celebrated in Uttar Pradesh, where instead of colors, flowers are thrown on each other. In this way, despite being the same festival, Holi is different in different states of the country.
It is celebrated in style, but its basic feeling is love, unity and joy.
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