With Holi 2024 just around the corner, anticipation and excitement are palpable across India as people gear up to celebrate the vibrant festival of colours. Holi, observed on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Phalguna, typically falling in February or March, holds a significant place in Indian culture. This year, on Monday, March 25, the country will come alive with the hues of joy, love, and unity.
India, a land of diverse cultures and traditions, witnesses a kaleidoscope of celebrations during Holi. From the boisterous Lathmar Holi in Uttar Pradesh to the serene Manjal Kuli in Kerala, each region adds its unique touch to the festivities, making Holi a truly nationwide celebration of joy, love, and the triumph of good over evil.
1. Lathmar Holi in Uttar Pradesh
In northern India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Delhi, Holi takes on a fervent and lively form known as Lathmar Holi. People gather around bonfires, dance, sing, and joyously throw coloured powder at each other. This celebration symbolizes the victory of good over evil and welcomes the onset of spring, bidding adieu to the cold winter months.
2. Meduru Holi in Andhra Pradesh
Down south in Andhra Pradesh, Holi is celebrated as ‘Meduru Holi’, marked by vibrant processions where people drench each other in coloured powder amidst traditional music and dance. Devotional hymns to Lord Krishna echo through the streets, adding a spiritual dimension to the festivities.
3. Kumaoni Holi in Uttarakhand
The hilly terrain of Uttarakhand witnesses the unique Kumaoni Holi celebration, which revolves more around music than colours. This musical affair heralds the sowing season for the farming community, with the lighting of the ‘cheer’ pyre and the melodious tunes filling the air.
4. Rang Panchami in Maharashtra
In Maharashtra, Holi takes on the name ‘Rang Panchami’, where people revel in playing with coloured powders, dancing to the beat of dhols, and indulging in traditional delicacies. The streets come alive with music and joy as people sing and play musical instruments, adding to the festive fervour.
5. Manjal Kuli in Kerala
The coastal state of Kerala celebrates Holi as ‘Manjal Kuli’, a tranquil affair marked by temple visits, folk songs, and watercolours made from turmeric. The Konkani and Kudumbi communities come together to celebrate amidst the peaceful ambiance of their traditions.
6. Royal Holi in Udaipur
Udaipur, known for its regal charm, hosts a majestic celebration of Holi, aptly named Royal Holi. The Mewar royal family continues the age-old traditions with grandeur, including bonfires, effigy burnings, and a magnificent horse procession accompanied by the royal band, captivating spectators with its splendour.
7. Basant Utsav and Dol Jatra in Bengal
In West Bengal, Holi is celebrated as Basant Utsav, heralding the arrival of spring with vibrant festivities. The streets of Shantiniketan come alive with cultural performances and the traditional Dol Jatra, where idols of Radha and Krishna are paraded amidst showers of water and colours, spreading joy and camaraderie.
As Holi 2024 approaches, India braces itself for a myriad of colourful celebrations, each region adding its unique flavours to this grand festival of unity, love, and happiness. From north to south, east to west, Holi truly unites the diverse tapestry of India in a vibrant celebration of life and togetherness.