Regional Celebrations of Holi

Holi is diversely celebrated in different states across the country. Here are nine different traditions of Holi subjected to different states.

1. Lathmaar Holi: The Holi of Sticks in Barsana in Uttar Pradesh signals violence indicated in the name Lathmaar. On this day, the women folk greet men with sticks to work and toil for their women, and urge men to dance around in feminine clothes, all in the spirit of Holi.
2. Dulandi Holi: Holi in Haryana is known as Dulandi Holi, when Bhabi (brother’s wife) make their brothers-in-law pay for the pranks they had played on them for the entire year.
3. Rangpanchami: In Maharashtra, Holi is popularly known as Rangpanchami. The locals also call this festival as Shimga, or Shimgo. They play with colors on the fifth day, as is in the name, when people indulge in dance, music and everything merry.
4. Basant Utsav: The people of West Bengal celebrate Holi as Basant Utsav with colors, dance, music and chant hymns in serenity to celebrate the arrival of spring.
5. Dol Purnima: In West Bengal, Holi is also observed as Dol Purnima when students wear garlands over saffron colored clothes and the people sing, dance and pray to Krishna and Radha in dignified disposition.
6. Hola Mohalla: Hola Mohalla is a three day festival celebrated in Punjab as an annual fair, where the Sikhs showcase and prove their physical strength by performing daring acts.
7. Shimgo: In Goa, people celebrate Holi as Shimgo, a festival where people play with colors and prepare Shimgo special dishes, and later indulge in cultural performances.
8. Kaman Pandigai: In Tamil Nadu, people observe Holi as Kaman Pondigal, remembering the sacrifice of Lord Kama Deva on this occasion.
9. Phagu Purnima: Celebrated in Kathmandu, Phagu Purnima is celebrated in the traditional way. Phagu means sacred red powder and Purnima means Full Moon day.