There are a total of 29 states in India that have diverse cultures, languages, ethnicities, and religions which have co-existed for centuries. One festival that the whole of the country celebrates is Holi.
Named after the evil Holika who intended to poison Sri Krishna but failed and was burnt alive, the festival has many names and significance.
Below are some of the major celebrations in different regions of the nation.
Phakuwa or Phaguwa
The people of Assam celebrate Holi as Phakuwa and Doul, for two days. They burn clay huts to symbolize the pyre of demoness Holika and play with colors on the following day. Phaguwa is celebrated similarly in parts of Bihar and Jharkhand.
Ukkuli
Holi is Ukkuli for the Konkani people of Goa and they celebrate it as a part of the spring festival, Shigmo, which takes place over an entire month. Cultural programs are also part of the celebrations.
Dhuleti
This is a reenactment of the famous ritual of breaking Dahi Handi in Janmashtami. In Ahmedabad, people climb on each other’s shoulders to break a pot of buttermilk that is hung high above the ground.
Lathmar Holi
Lathmaar can be broken into Lathi and Mar meaning beating with sticks. In this ritual, women of Uttar Pradesh use sticks to playfully hit men. This is based on the myth of how, Krishna, who was chased away by the women-folk of Barsana, Radha’s village, after he tried to play Holi with her.
Bedara Vesha
This one is from Karnataka where folk dances are performed for the five days leading up to Holi every alternate year.
Holla Mohalla
Did you know that even the Sikhs celebrate Holi? Named Holla Mohalla, the festival takes place in Punjab over three days, to train Nihang Sikhs in martial skills which are followed by Holi. It was initiated by the 10th Sikh religious leader, Guru Gobind Singh.
Dol Jatra
West Bengal and Odisha celebrate Holi as part of the spring festival, Basanta Utsav. A procession known as Dol Jatra takes place, in which people place idols of Radha and Krishna together on palanquins and tour all over the places. It’s like the Lord visits everyone’s homes in person.
Yaosang
In the state of Manipur, natives pray to their god, Pakhangba, and then burn huts and let children collect donations. This is followed by a five-day sports event named Yaosang.
Wishing you all a safe and colorful Holi.