Holi 2023: Here’s how the festival of colors is celebrated in different states of India

Holi, the festival of colours, is celebrated every year in the month of Phalgun (according to the Hindu calendar), which usually falls at the end of February or the beginning of March. It marks the end of winter and the arrival of summer in India. The Hindu festival will be celebrated on March 8 (Wednesday) this year. However, the festivities begin on the previous night, i.e. Tuesday, with Holika Dahan.

On this joyous occasion, people (regardless of their age) play with colours, water and flowers. They smear gulal or powdered colour at each other. The younger members of the family seek blessings from the older members with gulal. People visit their friends and relatives. Mouth-watering delicacies such as gujiya and thandai are served.

As India is a land of many cultures, different states celebrate Holi in different ways. Here is a list that will inform you how different parts of the country celebrate the festival of colours:

1.Rang Panchami (in Maharashtra): People start the festival by burning a pyre of firewood, symbolising the victory of good over evil. They play with colours and water on the next day.
Shigmo (in Goa): People come out on the streets and dance together on the tunes of folk music and play with colour.

2.Manjal Kuli (in Kerala): Celebrated by the Kudumbi and Konkani communities, the celebration is peaceful as people visit the temples and celebrate with folk songs and water colours. Turmeric is used in the making of these colours.

3.Royal Holi (in Udaipur, Rajasthan): This is organised by the royal family of Mewar where processions take place with bands and royal horses. A model of Holika is set on fire in a traditional bonfire.

4.Kumaoni Holi (in Uttarakhand): People of the Kumaon region celebrate this festival with more music and less colour.

5.Holla Mohalla (in Punjab): A three-day-long festival is held at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab. Celebrations include mock battles, music and poetry competitions.

6.Lathmar Holi (in Uttar Pradesh): Barsana, Mathura and Vrindavan are known to celebrate this kind of Holi. As the name suggests, women playfully hit men with lathis (sticks) while the men try to defend themselves with dhal (shield).

FAQs:

Q1- When will Holi be celebrated in 2023?
March 8.

Q2- In which Hindu month is Holi celebrated?
Phalgun.