There are many types of Holi celebrated in India and the mythology states the beginning of the Holi festival was first observed and started in the Barsana region of India including Mathura, Nandgaon, Vrindavan, and Barsana. In the village of Barsana, Uttar Pradesh, the local name given to the festival is “Lathmar Holi.” The tradition followed in the village is about women chasing away the men with lathis, but it can’t be said as a beating session.
Gangaur:
Gangaur is an extremely important festival in Rajasthan. It commences on the day following Holi and continues for 18 days. The festival is celebrated by womenfolk with great enthusiasm and devotion for Gauri, the consort of Lord Shiva. While married women worship Gauri, the embodiment of perfection and conjugal love for the success of their married life, unmarried women worship the Goddess for being blessed with a good husband. Gangaur Festival also celebrates monsoon, harvest, and marital fidelity.
Hola Mohalla:
In Punjab, Holi has this joyful name. It is mainly called “Hola Mohalla” or warrior Holi, observed by Nihang Sikhs, and exhibits martial arts. The festival is celebrated in an entirely different manner, it’s meaning and significance also shifts a little here. Hola Mohalla is an annual fair that is organized on a large scale at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab on the day following the festival of Holi. The practice of holding a fair of this kind was initiated by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh guru. The purpose of the fair was to physically strengthen the Sikh community by holding military exercises and mock battles.
Dola Purnima:
People of Odisha celebrate this festival for 10 long days called Dola Yatra/Purnima. It is celebrated from Falguna Shukla Dashami to Chaitra Krishna Pratipada. It is a festival of colours. Radha Krishna’s idol placed a specially designed Vimanas. Then their Yatra is starting. The Idol visited place to place to meet the devotees in their house with a procession. It is celebrated everywhere in the same type.
Basant Utsav/ Dol Jatra
The high point of this state is the celebration of ‘Basant Utsav’. The tradition was reintroduced by poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore at Shanti Niketan, the University he founded. ‘Basant Utsav’ means ‘Spring Festival’, here boys and girls joyfully welcome Spring, with songs, dance, and chanting of hymns in the serene ambience of Shanti Niketan.
Khadi Holi:
In the region of Uttarakhand, the Kumaon region, where people call “khadi Holi. As a part of the celebration, the locals wear traditional clothes, sing khari songs, and dance in groups. They move in tolis and greet the people they pass by. In this region, Holi is usually a musical gathering in different versions known as Baithika Holi, Khadi Holi, and Mahila Holi.
Manjal Kuli:
Down south, Holi isn’t as popular as it is in North India. However, some communities in the southern part of the country celebrate Holi, but with distinct traditions and names. In Kerala, Holi is called Manjal Kuli and is celebrated in the Konkani temple of Gosripuram Thirumala.
Yaosang:
In Manipur, Holi or Yaosang is celebrated for six days. It starts on the day of the full moon and combines Hindu and indigenous traditions. The highlight of the festival is the Thabal chongba, a Manipuri folk dance that is performed during. To add to the traditions and maintain uniformity, the Hindus of Manipur play this festival with colours too.
Phagwah
Phagwah is Assam’s name for Holi. It is similar to Bengal’s ‘Dol Jatra’. However, here the festival is celebrated over two days. On the 1st day, clay huts are burnt signifying the legend of Holika dahan. On the 2nd day, the locals celebrate it with colours just like everyone else!
Rangpanchami/ Shigmo/ Ukkuli
In Maharashtra, it is the time of Matki Phod (breaking the pot). Men climb on top of each other to form a human pyramid up to the height from which a pot of buttermilk is hung. The one who breaks the pot is named the Holi King of the Year. Shigmo festival is a massive spring celebration in Goa. It is one of the major festivals of Hindus. Here, traditional folk and street dances are done by farmers. Even tourists at Goa celebrate this festival with a lot of excitement.
The geographies:
If anyone thought Holi is just celebrated in India, they are in for a big surprise. Holi is celebrated in Nepal, Bangladesh, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, South Africa, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, Mauritius, and Fiji. In Nepal, one week before Holi, a Chir (bamboo pole) is erected at the Hanuman temple called Hanuman Dhoka in Kathmandu. On the eve of Holi, the pole is taken down and burnt to symbolize the burning away of the evil Holika. Each country has their own unique way of celebrating, but the overarching theme remains the same; colours and loads of fun.
