9 Different Holi Traditions That Exist Around the Country

Holi is just around the corner and the aura has already been filled with colorful frenzy. Do you feel it? Did you notice that almost every shop in the market right now is busy selling gulal and pichkaaris? Kids everywhere are throwing water balloons and chances are that you have got hit already. Right? No worries. Most of us are in the same boat. But what? Weren’t you a naughty kid yourself. So it’s the payback time now.

But is Holi really limited to just gulal, water balloons and pichkaari? Naaaaaah. When India is such a diverse country, then how can its festivals stay behind. Traverse the nation from the top to the bottom and you will find numerous ways of celebration existing. From the “Lathmar Holi of Barsana” to the “Kapda Faad Holi of Bihar”, there are various ways in which Holi is celebrated in India and each of them is unique in itself.

But what unites all of them together into one single festival is the craze, the music, and the dance. And how can we miss our colors. So let’s have a look at all of these craziest celebrations.

1. Lathmar Holi, Barsana

I am sure this was the first thing which came to your mind on reading the topic. Celebrated throughout the region of Barsana including Mathura, Nandgaon, and Vrindavan, this tradition features ladies beating men with lathis (sticks) while the men protect themselves with a dhaal (shield). Many news channels cover this celebration live.

2. Basant Utsav and Dol Jatra, West Bengal

Celebrated in West Bengal, Basant Utsav is marked by women dressing up in yellow clothes, welcoming spring. The beautiful celebration, majorly in Shantiniketan, is full of Tagore’s poetry recitals, songs, and music. Dol Jatra is celebrated on the next day when a musical and colorful procession of Lord Krishna’s idol is taken out through the streets.

3. Shigmo, Goa

Goa celebrates Holi in a beautiful and simple way. People dress up in colorful clothes and take out processions playing drums, music, and dancing on the streets along with effigies.

4. Royal Holi, Udaipur

The royal family of Udaipur celebrates Holi on a grand scale. The main attractions in the revelry of Mewar Royal Family are horses and the royal bands.

5. Dola, Odisha

Holi as celebrated as Dola in Odisha where they worship Lord Jagannath on the day of the festival who is also known as Dolagovinda.

6. Kapda Faad Holi, Bihar

Holi is known as Phagwa in Bihar. But the main feature of their celebration is “Kapda Faad Holi”, where men get together and tear apart clothes of one another. Strange!!!

7. Yaosang, Manipur

Holi celebration in Manipur is not a just 1-day affair. People celebrate Holi for 6 days and perform Thabal Chongba, the traditional dance. The main attraction is when a hut made up of hay and twigs is set on fire.

8. Khadi Holi, Uttarakhand

Also known as Mahila Holi and Baithika Holi, Khadi Holi is the unique Holi celebration in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. Local people dress up in traditional attires, sing traditional songs and dance on the beats of Dhol.

9. Hola Mohalla, Punjab

Punjab’s celebration of Holi, Hola Mohalla is celebrated on the next day of Holi when Sikh people, mainly the Nihang Sikhs perform martial arts and other bravery acts. It is also known as “Warrior Holi”.

So now when you know about all the different kinds of Holi celebrations throughout the country, it’s time for you to explore them. So get your family ready, pack your bags and get going at once. Have a fantastic time.