Quick read – In Uttarakhand, people celebrate Holi mostly with music.
Holi is not just a riot of colors; it’s also a vibrant tapestry of music. In Uttarakhand, the festive spirit takes root weeks in advance with music sessions known as “baithaki.” Here, people gather to sing in a seated posture, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere. Another style, “khadi,” involves singing accompanied by rhythmic movements, adding an energetic element to the celebrations.

Leading the musical charge are the “Holiyars,” skilled singers who come together to perform traditional Holi songs. These songs often draw inspiration from classical ragas (melodic structures) and weave tales of mythology, love, and devotion. The stories of Sita-Rama, Radha-Krishna, and other spiritual themes find expression in these captivating melodies.

The deep connection between Holi and classical music is further evident in the use of “thumris,” a specific form of classical singing, in many folk Holi songs. However, the musical landscape of Holi is beautifully diverse. Each region boasts its own unique folk song tradition:
Chetka: Popular in eastern Uttar Pradesh
Chaiti: Celebrated in Bihar
Phaag: Sung in the Bundelkhand region
Chautal: A distinct style from Varanasi

Interestingly, Holi songs in Varanasi often take a different turn, focusing on the divine couple Shiva and Gauri, with lyrics like “Gaura sand Bholat khele Hori” (meaning “Shiva plays Holi with Parvati”).

Picture Credit: Jagran

Quick read – In Braj region, women pretend to beat up men with sticks in a playful way during Lathmaar Holi!
Lathmaar Holi, a vibrant celebration brimming with color and music, is a unique tradition observed in the towns of Barsana and Nandgaon, near Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. Barsana is Radha’s village and Nandgaon is where Krishna grew up.

Krishna, playfully jealous of Radha’s radiant beauty, would travel with his friends to Barsana to playfully smear color on her face. Radha and her gopi friends would then playfully chase them back, wielding sticks in mock fury.

This playful episode is reenacted during Lathmaar Holi. The men of Nandgaon travel to Barsana, where the women playfully chase and “beat” them with sticks (lathis) and shields. The atmosphere is one of joyous revelry, with vibrant colors, music, and dance filling the air. The Radha Rani temple in Barsana, perhaps the only temple in India dedicated solely to Radha, forms the heart of the celebrations.

The playful battle continues! After the Lathmaar Holi in Barsana, the men of Barsana travel to Nandgaon, where the women there playfully chase and “beat” them in return, completing the cycle of this unique Holi tradition.

Picture Credit: Avishek Das, Flickr

Quick read – In Bengal, people celebrate Holi by swinging an idol of Krishna during a festival called Dol Yatra.
In Bengal, Assam, and Odisha, Holi holds a special significance for devotees of Krishna (Krishna bhakts). The festival coincides with the full moon day (Purnima) believed to be the birthday of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a revered 15th-century saint who popularized Vaishnavism.

Early in the morning, devotees come alive in a vibrant display of faith. Dressed in white and saffron, the traditional colors of Vaishnavism, they adorn themselves with flowers and garlands. The air fills with the joyous sounds of devotional songs sung to the accompaniment of instruments like the veena (a string instrument), dubri (a double-headed drum), and ektara (a single-stringed drone instrument).

The centerpiece of the celebration is a beautifully decorated palanquin carrying a deity of Krishna. This vibrant procession winds its way through the main streets of the village or town. As it progresses, participants shower passersby with gulal (colored powder) and fragrant abeer (a colored powder made from flower petals), spreading the spirit of Holi with every throw.
Source: Dolls of India

Picture Credit: Newstrack

Quick read – Various dances are popular way of celebrating Holi in Rajasthan.
The Holi festival in general and especially in Rajasthan is associated with a rich tradition of music & dance. The vibrant dances of Rajasthan’s Holi aren’t complete without their musical companions. Each region boasts specialized instruments that create a unique soundscape for the celebrations.

Gair: In the Mewar and Barmer regions, the energetic Gair dance finds its rhythm with the powerful beats of dhol, a large double-headed drum. Dholaks, smaller hand drums, may also be used to create intricate patterns alongside the dhol.

Shekhawati Delights: The Shekhawati region boasts two distinct dance forms – Gindar and Chang. Gindar performances are often accompanied by the dhol and the nagada, a large barrel-shaped drum that produces a deep, resonant sound. Chang dances, on the other hand, might feature the chang, a string instrument similar to the harp, along with percussion instruments like the dhol and dholak.

Beyond Mewar and Shekhawati: The dhol remains a constant across various regions. In Alwar and Bharatpur, the lively Bum dance is accompanied by the dhol and other percussion instruments. Similarly, the rhythmic Dang dance performed in Nathdwara finds its beat in the dhol’s powerful pulse.

Picture Credit: Gair Holi, Wanderon.com

Quick read – Holi is more than colours in Rajasthan and is enormously diverse.
Rajasthan likely holds the title for the most diverse Holi celebrations in India. Each former royal family of its many principalities developed their own unique traditions, contributing to this vibrant tapestry. However, the core spirit of Holi remains consistent across the region.

A month before Holi, a pole crafted from a special tree specific to the region is erected. Eight days before the festival commences, the “Holiashtak” period of abstinence and rituals begins. On the day preceding Holi, the pole is burned in a bonfire known as “Holika Dahan.” People observe the flames – a straight ascent signifies a prosperous year ahead, while any deviation is interpreted as a call for preparation. Roasted green gram and grains, reflecting the bounty of the harvest season, are offered at the bonfire as an offering called “Hola.”

The morning after, people collect the cooled ashes from the burned pole, believing they bring good luck in the coming year. This ritual is called Dhulendi or Dhulivandan, which literally translates to “playing with the ash.” After this, the joyous celebrations erupt.

In some places, the actual Holi day involves festivities solely with mud and water, while the vibrant colors come into play a few days later. The day following Holi witnesses a women’s procession called “Jamra.” Here, they bless infants born that year as part of the “dhoond” ceremony. Some regions also observe worship of Sheetala Mata for warding off disease and Maa Gouri by marriageable girls, known as “Gangaur.” Unfortunately, with modernization, some of these unique practices are slowly fading away.

Picture Credit: Pathat Mar Holi at Dungarpur, India.com

Quick read – Eloping was common during Holi celebrations in Malwa
Bhagoria Parv is a vibrant tribal celebration held in the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh, the ancient homeland of the Bhil people. Spanning seven days and culminating on Holi, the festival is a dazzling showcase of music, dance, food, and other aspects of their culture. The Bhil people return home from across the country for the festival. The week-long festivities culminate on Holi. Melas (fairs) come alive with music, dance, food, and vibrant displays of tribal culture.

The name Bhagoria has three origin stories.

1. Young people use this time to socialize and find potential partners, with some even eloping – a practice that contributes to the festival’s name, Bhagoria, meaning “the elopers.”

2. Some believe Bhagoria Parv celebrates the union of Shiva and Gauri, reflected in the matchmaking emphasis. Another theory suggests it originated as a celebration in honor of Bhava-Gauri (Beautiful Gauri), later corrupted to Bhagoria.

3. King Bhoja, the legendary Malwa ruler from around 1000 years ago, is said to have started Bhagoria Parv. Two of his tribal chieftains from the Bhagora principality are credited with initiating the festivities.

Picture Credit: Navbharat Times

Majuli is the largest river island in the world and is formed by Brahmaputra. In the 15th cent CE, Sankaradeva established Ek Sarana Hari Naam, a movement centred around taking sole refuge in Krishna. Assamese call him the glorious sun under whose warmth region blossomed like a thousand petals. A versatile genius, he rendered the Bhagvata into Assamese, wrote trendsetting plays, composed glorious kirtanas and established prayer houses called satras, where all communities could come together and sing his kirtanas. Majuli is the centre of Satra culture in Assam.

Called Phakuwah, Holi is a 3-5 day festival in Majuli. Like in Bengal & Odisha, dol yatra (Krishna’s procession in a palanquin) is held. Phakuwah celebrations at the Barpeta satra where Shankardeva is said to have lived, are also very grand.

Picture Credit: Gateway to Majuli, Blogspot

Quick read – If you visit Vrindavan during Holi, you’ll get showered with flower petals
At the revered Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan, the heart of Krishna bhakti (devotion), Holi is a fragrant affair. The idols of Radha-Krishna are adorned with beautiful, freshly bloomed garlands, and the temple is decorated tastefully with flowers. Locals here celebrate Phoolonwali Holi – Holi with flowers – using only petals and blooms to playfully color each other.

The Braj region of Uttar Pradesh, Krishna’s childhood playground and the setting for his divine love story of Ras Leela, is renowned for its unique Holi festivities, collectively called Phaag after the Phalgun month in the lunisolar calendar.

These celebrations showcase the vibrant spirit of Holi in Braj. During Latthmar Holi, women playfully chase men with sticks and shields, a tradition rooted in mythology. Gulaal Holi allows widows to celebrate with specific colors, a symbol of inclusivity. Dauji ka Hurranga sees women playfully mock-tear the clothes of men and use colored cloth pieces to playfully beat them. Phalen Holi features priests enacting the story of Holika and Prahlad, where good triumphs over evil, by symbolically touching the flames of a bonfire.

Picture Credit: Amar Ujala

Quick read – Vaishnavism is popular in Manipur and Holi is the most important festival
For the Meiteis of Manipur, Holi, celebrated over five days, is the most important festival. The first day honors the birth of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a revered 15th-century saint whose Vaishnavism philosophy is prominent in Bengal, Odisha, the Northeast region, and the Mathura region. His teachings have even been popularized worldwide by the Hare Krishna movement.

Devotees construct thatched huts, where they worship an image of Chaitanya. After the worship concludes, the image is taken away, and the hut is ceremonially burned in a ritual called Yaoshang mai thaba, which translates to “burning of the straw hut.” The burning symbolizes letting go of the past and negativity. Devotees carry the half-burnt bamboo pieces home, believed to ward off evil.

The remaining four days of Yaoshang are filled with vibrant celebrations. “Sankirtana,” devotional songs based on Krishna’s life, fill the air. The graceful “Thabal chongba” folk dance and the energetic “Dhon Dolak Cholam” dance performed by percussionists add to the festive spirit. Processions with people playfully throwing colored powder (Halanka, reflecting Krishna and the gopis’ playful relationship) and sporting activities mark these joyous days.

Picture Credit: Eclectic NorthEast, Twitter

Quick read – Basanta Utsav is a music festival which welcomes spring with songs, dances, and colors!
Devendranath Tagore, Rabindranath Tagore’s father, established Shantiniketan as a center of innovative learning in 1863. Rabindranath was associated with it from 1873. In 1907, his youngest son, Samindranath, started a music festival called Ritu Utsav at the university. In 1920, Rabindranath institutionalized the festival to be held on the day of Holi and renamed it Basanta Utsav, meaning “Spring Festival.”

Woven mats (sataranchi) were placed in the shade of the sprawling saal trees (saalbithi). Students, dressed in colorful costumes reflecting the spirit of Holi, would gather and sing Rabindra Sangeet to welcome the spring season (basanta). The celebration included music, dance dramas, delicious food, and processions. After the formal events, the joyous tradition of “rongkhela” (festival of colors) would begin, with participants playfully throwing colored powder at each other.

Starting as a local celebration, Basanta Utsav now draws lakhs of visitors from across the globe. While relatively modern compared to other Bengali festivals, it has become a major part of the rich cultural tapestry of Bengal.

Picture Credit: West Bengal Tourism

Quick read – Tantric Treats: In Nepal, people celebrate Holi with special rituals that have been around for hundreds of years!

Holi in Nepal boasts a vibrant history dating back to the 8th century CE. King Gunakamadeva, a descendant of the ancient Lichchavi lineage from Bihar, is credited with establishing Holi as a nationwide celebration. He’s also known for building Kathmandu and renovating famous tantric temples like Pashupatinath and Rakt Kali.

The heart of the festivities lies in Kathmandu at the Kumari Living Goddess temple. A towering “chir” pole, symbolizing eternity and crafted from a specific type of bamboo, is erected and decorated. Following days of rituals, the pole is brought down on Holi and paraded through surrounding towns before being ceremonially burned (“chir dahan”) outside Kathmandu. Ritual offerings of cooked rice and meat accompany this burning.

Legends speak of these rituals as a way to ward off the evil spirit Gurumappa. The celebratory use of colors and water signifies the triumph over evil. Even today, tales of Gurumappa are used by grandmothers to keep mischievous children in check. Nepal’s Holi celebrations thus acknowledge their unique tantric roots.

Picture Credit: Ratopati Nepal

Quick read – Konkanis escaped Portuguese persecution in Kerala and brought their Holi celebration.
Manjal Kuli is celebrated in around 20 temples established by the Konkani community. These communities arrived in Kerala in the 1500s, fleeing religious persecution following the Portuguese conquest of Goa. The ruler of Cochin welcomed them, and Kodungaloor temple holds special significance as their first point of refuge in Kerala.

Turmeric, considered auspicious in Hinduism, plays a central role in Kerala’s unique Holi celebration known as Manjal Kuli or Ukuli, which literally translates to “turmeric bath.” The festival is primarily observed by the Konkani-speaking communities of Kerala.

During Manjal Kuli, participants playfully throw turmeric powder on each other, replacing the vibrant colors typically associated with Holi in other parts of India. In Devi temples, a bonfire made of arecanut branches is lit, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. Some temples even feature symbolic mud crocodile figures to represent this triumph.

Picture Credit: Syamkrs Twitter