More on Regional Holi Celebrations in India

In continuation to the last post, here are some more of the regional Holi celebrations across India.

Lathmaar Holi
The birthplace of Krishna and the place where Holi originated has a very interesting version to Holi celebrations. It is basically a play of genders between the men and womenfolk of Barsana and Nandgaon. Men are supposed to throw colours on women and to get a good beating in return.

Hola Mohalla
Hola Mohalla is actually an annual fair that is organised in a large scale at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab on the day following the festival of Holi. A number of durbars are also held where Sri Guru Granth Sahib is present and kirtan and religious lectures take place.

Shimgo
In the Konkan region of our country (Goa and parts of coastal Maharashtra), Holi is known as Shimgo. People play with Holi colours, send Holi gifts and prepare the dish of rich, spicy chicken or mutton curry called shagoti with sweets. Colourful dance drama processions are also carried out in Panjim, the Goan capital.

Phagu Purnima or Phagwa
Another name of Holi is Phagu Purnima. Phagu is a sacred red powder and purnima is the full moon day, on which this festival ends. In some parts of UP and in Bihar, people celebrate this spring festival as Phagwa and Holika Dahan is known as Samvatsar Dahan.

Traditions of Holi 2010

Holi is a festival that speaks of trust, love and goodwill. This is probably the reason that all its traditions are also representative of this feeling of brotherhood and the victory of good over evil.

Holi Milans or Baithaks
Many days or sometimes weeks before the actual Holi-day, people sit together and sing Holi songs in Holi milans. Hori are the special type of Holi folk songs which are also sung in these musicals.

Holi Bonfires
Holika Dahan or the lighting of bonfire takes place on the eve of Holi. The day is also popularly called Chhoti Holi or Small Holi.

Songs and Dance
This festival of colours is played in most parts of the country. Apart from the usual tradition of playing with coloured powder and water, Holi also involves fun filled processions of folk songs and dances.

Exchanging Gifts
There is a popular tradition of greeting each other with Holi gifts like Holi colours and traditional Indian sweets like Gujiya, Gazak, Mathri, Malpuas and Dry fruits on Holi.

Bhang ki Thandai and Sweets
Making and drinking bhang ki thandai (an Indian milk shake) is another very popular custom of Holi. Bhang is made from female cannabis or hemp plant, it can be understood to be a homemade drug. People also mix bhang in sweets and other preparations being offered to guests.

Holi Colours
Abeer and Gulal are the names for Holi colours. These are the traditional and naturally made Holi colours. People also play with coloured water using pichkaris and other squirt guns on Badi Holi or Dhulendi.

This year all of us will be celebrating Holi on 1st March 2010.