Holi

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On the onset of spring the one and only festival when the whole atmosphere is soaked with different imbues and streets are sated with funny looking people with color patched on their faces. This is one of the rare Hindu festival when irrespective of caste and creed, people bask it to the fullest. With bright colors air is filled with unadulterated glee, music and of course go bit wild on the streets. Various mythological accounts are there to support the festival’s origin but the festival is undoubtedly celebrates to welcome the spring and entreat to god for a positive agricultural prospect

On the eve of the festival, people light up bonfire, which is also a attractive thing to witness. There are also legends and stories associated with the bonfire. During the festival day, from morning people come out on the streets and rub color (gulal or abeer) on each others’ faces. This festival is for everyone, from tiny brats to graying people. People play with balloons, throw it from different hideaways. Holy is also to taste variety of sweets and and receive and send love and blessings to love ones in the form of special gifts. This is licensed for people to do, which other times could be offensive. The festival is fun filled especially among youths when people dunk their peers in mud pool, getting intoxicated on bhaang (a hallucination herb) and filled the atmosphere with songs and dance. Guys tease with women with an excuse by saying “ Don’t mind, its Holi!”

The festival of Holi can be also witness in different sculptures on walls of old temples. In Hampi, once the capital of Vijayanagar, temples are embellished with joyous scene of prince and princess of medieval India. Also in the paintings of 16th century of Ahmednagar depicting spring song or music. It depicts king and queen sitting on a grand swing while maids are playing music and drenching them with color water. Mewar painting shows Maharana with his courtiers merry dancing and in the center is tank filled with colored water.

Religious Significance

Holi is associated with so many mythological stories and essentially an important festival in terms of legendary value. There are legends of Hiranyakashyap and Prahlad, frolics of Radha and Krishna- the prank when Krishna applied colors on Radha and lately applying color became a trend and a part of Holi festival. It also celebrated because of the mythological tale of ogress Pootana tired to kill infant Krishan and failed. In southern India, legends of Krishna and Kamadeva is popular and root of the celebration. Not only religious significance but also Holi has a strong cultural and social significance. It is a festival of victory of good over evil. Holi has a significant quotient to Indian lives. It is the day when people of all caste and creed enjoy the festival with full glee. The festival shows the Indian unity in diversity in true sense.


Holi In Indian States

Holi In Mathura Vrindavan - In the land of Krishna where Holi was originated, its obvious festival is celebrated nothing like any place. People from every corner of India even from abroad gather here to see the amazing festival. The whole town is like another entity, everywhere people enjoy the festival of color.

Holi In West Bengal - Holi in West Bengal is celebrated as Basant Utsav (spring festival). Also in Bengal it is known as ‘Dol Jatra’ or Swing Festival’. In the streets idols of Krishna and Radha on a nicely decorated palanquin is taken out. The devotees turns to swing them while women sing around them and sing devotional songs and men spraying color on them. In Santineketan, a place in Birbhum district, Holi is particularly very popular where people from all over Kolkata and also from outside the country to visit the place. Students are dancing, singing, chanting of hymns around the serene environment of Santineketan.

Holi In Maharashtra - They call it Shimga or Rangpanchami. This festival is much popular among fisher folk. Singing, dancing, merry making to release all the repressed feelings, needs and desire. Great excitement is visible when people are rushing to break the pot. It is a very popular event when a pot of butter and milk strung up high on the streets and group of men forms pyramids to break the pot. Holi In Gujarat - Holi in Gujarat is especially renowned for its youthful appearance. The festival is full of excitement and people like in Maharashtra also engage in breaking the pot of milk and butter.

Holi In Tamil Nadu – The people of Tail Nadu celebrate the festival with songs and color. The people here celebrate it around the legends of Kamadeva (Hindu equivalent of cupid). Songs are sung that tell the story of goddess rati and her lamentation.


Holi is a great festival of joy but beware of color used in the festival. There are many places in India like Pune where people started using natural colors. Not to forget to taste of thandai( spicy cold drink mixed with Bahhng leaves for intoxication).

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