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.
Showing posts with label holi gifts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holi gifts. Show all posts
Monday, February 22, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Regional Holi Celebrations in India
Holi is one of the most widely celebrated of all Hindu festivals.The scope of this festival is such that it has acquired many regional flavours throughout the length and breadth of the country. Some of these are,
Dulandi Holi
Holi has this name in the state of Haryana. The festival here highlights the relationship between bhabhi - the brothers wife and devar - husband's younger brother. Besides, there is also a tradition of breaking the pot of buttermilk hung high in the street by forming a human pyramid.
Rangpanchami
People of Maharashtra commonly know this festival of colours by the name of Rangpanchami as the play of colours is reserved for the fifth day here. The festival is particularly popular amongst fisher folk.
Basant Utsav
Vasant/Basant Utsav is celebrated in West Bengal in a very graceful manner. The tradition of Vasantotsav was started by poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore at Shantiniketan (the university).
Dol Purnima
Holi is also known by the name of Dol Purnima, Dol Jatra or the Swing Festival in West Bengal. It involves colourful processions of the idols of Radha and Krishna and people singing and dancing to devotional songs.
Kaman Pandigai
Kaman Pandigai, Kamavilas and Kama-Dahanam are the name of the Holi celebrations in Tamil Nadu. The basis of Kaman Pandigai is the legendary story of Shiva, Kaamadeva (God of Love), Rati(Kaamadeva's wife) and Parvati (wife of Shiva). Songs are sung on Holi and people offer sandalwood to Kaamadeva, exchange Holi gifts and sweets on this day.
Dulandi Holi
Holi has this name in the state of Haryana. The festival here highlights the relationship between bhabhi - the brothers wife and devar - husband's younger brother. Besides, there is also a tradition of breaking the pot of buttermilk hung high in the street by forming a human pyramid.
Rangpanchami
People of Maharashtra commonly know this festival of colours by the name of Rangpanchami as the play of colours is reserved for the fifth day here. The festival is particularly popular amongst fisher folk.
Basant Utsav
Vasant/Basant Utsav is celebrated in West Bengal in a very graceful manner. The tradition of Vasantotsav was started by poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore at Shantiniketan (the university).
Dol Purnima
Holi is also known by the name of Dol Purnima, Dol Jatra or the Swing Festival in West Bengal. It involves colourful processions of the idols of Radha and Krishna and people singing and dancing to devotional songs.
Kaman Pandigai
Kaman Pandigai, Kamavilas and Kama-Dahanam are the name of the Holi celebrations in Tamil Nadu. The basis of Kaman Pandigai is the legendary story of Shiva, Kaamadeva (God of Love), Rati(Kaamadeva's wife) and Parvati (wife of Shiva). Songs are sung on Holi and people offer sandalwood to Kaamadeva, exchange Holi gifts and sweets on this day.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Holi – The Springtime Festival of India
Also known as Vasant Utsav or Spring Festival, Holi marks the onset of Spring in India. This year all of us will be celebrating Holi on 1st March 2010. Based on the regional influences there are many names with which we know this festival of colours. Some of these are Dhulendi, Rangpanchami, Basant Utsav, Dol Purnima, Hola Mohalla, Lathmaar Holi, Shimgo, Kaman Pandigai and Phagu Purnima.
Singing and dancing on the beat of dholaks is one of the integral parts of any holi celebration. People drink bhang ki thandai and exchange popular Indian sweets and dry fruits as holi gifts. Sweets and mithai include gujiya, puran poli, dahi badas, papads, kanji, mathri, malpuas.
It is also customary to greet each other with 'bura na mano holi hai' before acting completely naughty and pouring colours on each other. Enmity is forgotten on this festival and people make it a point to visit and greet everyone alike.
Contrary to popular knowledge holi festivities last many days.
Holi Milan or Baithaks
Many days prior to Holi, people take an active part in Holi Milans. These are musical soirees or gatherings wherein folk songs related to the festival are sung. The epic love story of Radha Krishna features prominently in these songs. The special type of songs, which we all know as 'Hori' are sung as well.
Chhoti Holi or Holika Dahan
On the eve of holi celebrations begin with the custom of Holika Dahan or the lighting of bonfires. The word Holika Dahan in Hindi language means burning down of Holika. It signifies the victory of good over evil. The day is also popularly called 'Chhoti Holi'. The word Holi has also originated from the word Holika.
Badi Holi
Holi celebrations reach a peak on this day. People wear light coloured clothes and play with holi colours on Dhulendi. It is customary to wet each other thoroughly with water and water colours using a pichkari on Holi.
Singing and dancing on the beat of dholaks is one of the integral parts of any holi celebration. People drink bhang ki thandai and exchange popular Indian sweets and dry fruits as holi gifts. Sweets and mithai include gujiya, puran poli, dahi badas, papads, kanji, mathri, malpuas.
It is also customary to greet each other with 'bura na mano holi hai' before acting completely naughty and pouring colours on each other. Enmity is forgotten on this festival and people make it a point to visit and greet everyone alike.
Contrary to popular knowledge holi festivities last many days.
Holi Milan or Baithaks
Many days prior to Holi, people take an active part in Holi Milans. These are musical soirees or gatherings wherein folk songs related to the festival are sung. The epic love story of Radha Krishna features prominently in these songs. The special type of songs, which we all know as 'Hori' are sung as well.
Chhoti Holi or Holika Dahan
On the eve of holi celebrations begin with the custom of Holika Dahan or the lighting of bonfires. The word Holika Dahan in Hindi language means burning down of Holika. It signifies the victory of good over evil. The day is also popularly called 'Chhoti Holi'. The word Holi has also originated from the word Holika.
Badi Holi
Holi celebrations reach a peak on this day. People wear light coloured clothes and play with holi colours on Dhulendi. It is customary to wet each other thoroughly with water and water colours using a pichkari on Holi.
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