Holi, the festival of colors has a rich tradition and significance across India. It’s one of the rare festivals that is enjoyed by people irrespective of caste and creed. Celebrated in every parts of India, Holi is popular in various forms which are unique in their respect; although the basic theme remains the same.

Before exploring the entire India how Holi is celebrated, let’s have a throwback – how Holi came into existence and in which forms.

Mythology & Religion play an important part if you want to trace back Holi.

Holika Dahan – King Hiranyakashipu, king of Asuras, earned a boon that gave him five special powers: he could be killed by neither a human being nor an animal, neither at day nor at night, neither indoors nor outdoors, nor by any Shastra (handheld weapons), neither by astra (projectile weapons) and neither on land nor in water or air. Thinking himself as a God, Hiranyakashipu became arrogant and demanded that everyone worship only him.

Hiranyakashipu’s own son, Prahlada, however, disagreed and remained devoted to Vishnu. An infuriated Hiranyakashipu subjected Prahlada to cruel punishments, though those didn’t affect Prahlada.  At last, Holika, Prahlada’s evil aunt, managed him into sitting on a pyre with her. Holika wore a cloak to be safe from fire, while Prahlada was not. When the fire roared, eventually the cloak flew from Holika and encased Prahlada surprisingly, who survived while Holika burned fully.

Thus, the Holika bonfire and Holi signifies the celebration of the symbolic victory of good over evil, of Prahlada over Hiranyakashipu, and of the fire that burned Holika, traditionally known as “Holika Dahan”.

Eternal Radha Krishna – The legend of Radha and Krishna is closely linked with this tradition of colors on Holi. Krishna had a dark complexion and was jealous of his beloved Radha’s extremely fair skin. He applied color on Radha’s face in a mischievous mood. Following this ancient legend, lovers till date long to color their beloved as an expression of love. Krishna followers do observe this day throughout the world with special devotion.

The “Shiva” Effect – Goddess Parvati wanting to bring back Shiva into the world from his deep Yoga & Meditation, seeks help from Kamadeva, God of Love on Vasant Panchami. Kamadeva shoots arrows at Shiva, the yogi opens his third eye and burns Kama to ashes. This upsets both Kamadeva’s wife Rati and his own wife Parvati. She performed her own meditative asceticism for 40 days when Shiva understood finally and forgave out of compassion ultimately resulting in restoration of the god of love.

Hola –  It was Guru Gobind Singh who introduced a 3 Day Hola Mohalla. The extension started a day after the Holi in Anandpur Sahib at Ropar, Punjab where Sikh soldiers would train in mock battles, compete in horsemanship, athletics, archery and military exercises.

Throughout India, Holi is celebrated in style. With different rituals in form along with traditional varieties, Holi is immensely popular in almost all the states. Out of all, there are some unique features that has made those festivals different from others. Here are those:

Dol Yatra in West Bengal:

The festival is being celebrated since ancient times. It celebrates Lord Krishna expressed his love to her beloved Radha on the day of Dolyatra. ‘Dol Jatra’, ‘Dol Purnima’ is celebrated in a dignified manner by placing the idols of Krishna and Radha on a picturesquely decorated palanquin. The devotees used to dance and sing devotional songs. Men and women keep throwing abir or gulal towards each other.

Dol Purnima is important to Bengalis as this is also the birthday of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1485–1533), popularized modern sankirtana by preaching Baishnaba dharma. Chaitanya Followers do believe him as the modern manifestation of Krishna.

Phaguwa in Bihar:

In Bihar Holi is known as Phaguwa in the local dialect, Bhojpuri. Holika Dahan is an integral part of the celebrations here as well. On the following day, Holi is celebrated with wet and dry colors and traditional music and folk songs throughout the day.

Dola in Odisha:

Dola is celebrated in the northern state of Odisha. Holi in Odisha evolves around Lord Jagannath, also known as Dolagovinda. Along with the traditional smearing of wet and dry colors, there are processions of Lord Jagannath seen throughout the many different cities and towns.

Phakuwa in Assam:

Phakuwa is celebrated all over Assam. Locally called Dol Jatra, associated with Satras of Barpeta, Holi is celebrated over 2 days. On the first day, the burning of clay huts is seen in Barpeta and lower Assam which signifies the legends of Holika. On the second day of it, Holi is celebrated with color powders.

Yaosang in Manipur:

Holi in Manipur is celebrated over 6 long days and is locally known as Yaosang. The uniqueness is the blending of North Eastern and Hindi traditions. While there is a celebration of Holi with colors both dry and wet, the highlight of Holi here is the Thabal Chongba, a traditional Manipuri folk dance that is performed during the celebrations.

Lathmar Holi in Uttar Pradesh:

Out of all Holi activities, Lathmar Holi as it is known in local Bhojpuri is different from the rest. Women here are armed with lathis, canes meant to hit the men and boys playfully during the festivities. Men come prepared with a dhal, or a shield to protect themselves. By an chance, if any men is caught by women, they are made to dress in female attire and dance on the streets keeping the high spirit. Largely celebrated all across Uttar Pradesh but prominently in Barsana near Mathura, Lathmar Holi finds its origins in Hindu Mythology. It is heard that Lord Krishna tried to tease Radha to play Holi in her village Barsana. Local women chased him away with lathis which resulted in this ritual.

Widow’s Holi in Mathura is another way of celebration. Thousands of widows in Mathura’s 400-year-old Gopinath temple celebrated Holi with hues of gulal and rose petals. Breaking age-old taboos, the widows from local ashrams, who are often abandoned by their families, gather at the temple with colors to play Holi.

Kahila Holi or Khadi Holi or Baithaki Holi in Uttarakhand:

In Uttarakhand, Holi is actually known by a number of different names. Baithaki Holi, Mahila Holi, Khadi Holi are all common names for the festival here. Festivities here include revelers donning traditional attire and singing & dancing to folk tunes going around the city. This gathering of people is known as a Toli and locals greet each other by smearing color on each other’s faces and dancing and singing all along. Unlike other parts of India, song and dance are an essential part of the Holi celebrations in Uttarakhand.

Hola Mohalla in Punjab:

Holi in Punjab is actually known as Holla Mohalla. It is a celebration commemorating the bravery of Sikh Warriors. The celebrations are characteristic of Nihang Sikhs, a particular sect. This includes an extensive display of traditional martial arts which is later followed by music and dancing.

In other parts of Punjab, the eight days preceding Holi are known as luhatak. Sekhon (2000) states that people start throwing colors many days before Holi. Historically, the Lubana community of Punjab celebrated Holi with great pomp and show. The Lubanas buried a piece and betel nut. They heaped up cow-dung cakes over the spot and made a large fire. When the fire had burnt out, they proceeded to hunt for the piece and betel-nut. Whosoever found these, was considered very lucky.

Royal Holi in Rajasthan:

People of Rajasthan too follow the traditional practice of Holika Dahan, albeit a bit differently. The celebrations here are known to be truly grand and are organized by the royal Mewar family of Udaipur. A fancy procession comes out including several decorated horses and the royal band. Traditional fire is lit later and an effigy of Holika is set on fire.

Udaypur, known as the ‘pink city’, celebrates the occasion of Holi with characteristic pomp and flair. The merry-making that is part of the tradition here includes what is known as the Elephant Festival, making the festivities truly unique. After all, what could be more unusual than parades, beauty contests, and tug of wars, with elephants as the main participants.

Ukuli or Manjal Kuli in Kerala:

Kerala, God’s own Country has its own unique version of Holi in the form of Manjal Kuli, also known as Ukuli. The Kudumbi and Konkani communities of Kerala are known to celebrate in this traditional manner and Gosripuram Thiruma Temple is famous for hosting such festival along with others.

Shimga or Rang Panchami in Maharashtra:

Holi is colloquially known as Rang Panchami or Shimga in Maharashtra. The celebrations include Holika Dahan followed by celebration of Holi with wet and dry colors and water.

Shigmo in Goa:

Celebration & Goa is synonymous in several aspects. Holi celebration in Goa is known as Shigmo. It is a massive celebration of spring. Traditional folk songs and street dances are performed by the local farmers. And like every celebration in Goa, tourists take part with equal flavour in the Shigmo festivities as well. Several traditional Shigmo Parades conducted in various parts of the state which are a sight for the sore eyes.

Every other states have their own way of celebration and Holi is an integral part of their lifestyle. This was only an effort to highlight the special ones happening for several years across India.