India Celebrates 11 Different Forms Of Holi

Holi is the festival of colors. But while people are already excited for the long weekend, and have their drinking and dancing plans in place, there are various types of Holis that they are unaware about.

1. Lathmar Holi - Barsana village, Uttar Pradesh: According to myths, Holi started in the Barsana region of India including Vrindavan, Mathura, Nandgaon, and Barsana. Interestingly, this festival is celebrated not just with colors, but also with lathis. On this day, women chase away the men with lathis.

2. Khadi Holi - Kumaon region, Uttarakhand: Khadi holi is played in the Kumaon region which includes mainly towns in Uttrakhand. As a part of the celebration, the locals wear traditional clothes and sing khari songs. They also dance in groups. They move in tolis, and greet everybody they pass by. In this region, Holi is usually considered as a musical gathering in various versions like Baithika Holi, Khadi Holi, and Mahila Holi.

3. Hola Mohalla - Punjab: This is known as the warrior Holi and is celebrated in Punjab. This festival is observed by Nihang Sikhs. They exhibit martial arts and also sing their hearts out on this day, which is usually celebrated a day before Holi.

4. Basant Utsav and Dol Jatra- West Bengal: The Basant Utsav is a way in which people welcome the spring season. This day experiences a special celebration at Shantiniketan. Boys and girls dress up in saffron-colored clothes. They sing and dance to celebrate this festival. Whereas, Dol Jatra is a part of the main Holi festivities. On Dol Purnima, Radha and Krishna idols are taken to the streets in a procession.

5. Shigmo - Goa: This festival is a massive spring celebration in Goa. It is one of the major festivals of Hindus. Here, farmers do traditional folk and street dances. Even tourists at Goa celebrate this festival with a lot of excitement and fun.

6. Yaosang - Manipur: In Manipur, Holi or Yaosang is celebrated for six consecutive days. Starting on the day of the full moon, this day combines Hindu and indigenous traditions. The highlight of the festival is the Thabal chongba, a Manipuri folk dance which is performed during. To add to the traditions and maintain uniformity, the Hindus of Manipur play this festival with colors also.

7. Manjal Kuli - Kerala: Holi isn’t as popular down south as it is in North India. However, some communities in the southern part of the country also celebrate Holi, but with distinct traditions and names. In Kerala, Holi is known as Manjal Kuli and is celebrated in the Konkani temple of Gosripuram Thirumala.

8. Phaguwa - Bihar: As you all know, Bihar and Holi go hand in hand. The festival is also known as Phaguwa in the local Bhojpuri dialect. However, in Bihar, it’s important to light the Holika pyre before playing Holi.

9. Phakuwah - Assam: This is Assam’s name for Holi. It is similar to Bengal’s ‘Dol Jatra’. However, here the festival is celebrated for two days. On the 1st day, they burn clay huts which signify the legend of Holika dahan. On the 2nd day, the people of Assam celebrate it with colors just like everyone else!

10. Rang Panchami - Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh: In Maharashtra, this day is celebrated in the most fun way possible. On the 5th day, color celebrations take place after Holika dahan and are also known as Ranga Panchami.

11. Royal Holi - Udaipur, Rajasthan: On the eve of Holi, people of Udaipur light bonfires to mark the occasion and get rid of evil spirits in the Holika Dahan.

By: Preeti Narula

Content: https://www.indiatimes.com/culture/who-we-are/11-different-forms-of-holi-that-are-celebrated-around-india-252340.html