Holi is the ever popular festival of color celebrated widely in India and Nepal. It also signifies the end of winter season and onset of the spring.
It is also associated with the victory of good over evil and takes place on the full moon day of the month of Falgun. This festival is celebrated over a span of two days with the first day known as Chhoti Holi with a following Rangwali Holi.
Holi is celebrated on a widespread scale over all the states of India where it’s known by different names respectively. Each of the regional names also has some significance and legends behind them which makes it all the more interesting.
The Gods and Goddesses that are worshipped on the days of Holi also differ in the various different states of the country.
But in spite of such distinctions, Holi is a festival that unites the whole population of the country in bonds of love and brotherhood.
Different Regional Names Of Holi
- Lathmar Holi – Barsana Village, Uttar Pradesh:
The Barsana Region of India comprises of Mathura, Vrindavan, Nandgaon and Barsana which boasts of being the originating point of this festival of color. Here, as per the unique traditions, women chase the men with ‘lathis’ in a playful mood.
- Dulandi Holi – Haryana:
On this day, the ‘Bhabhis’ i.e. the wives of the brothers are considered to be the most important women of the house while the ‘Devars’ i.e. their husbands younger brothers have to stay on the lookout for them. On this auspicious day, the Bhabhi’s get permission from the society to beat up their Devars in return of all the pranks that have been played on them.
- Rang Panchami – Maharashtra And Madhya Pradesh:
This fun celebration takes place on the 5th day after Holika Dahan and symbolizes the victory over Raja Tama. On this day, ‘Gulaals’ or powdered forms of color are splashed up into the air or smeared on each other’s faces.
- Basant Utsav And Dol Purnima – West Bengal:
Basant Utsav is an occasion to welcome the spring or ‘Basant’ season and is greatly celebrated in Shantiniketan. All men and women dress up in saffron colored and dance and sing on this day. On Dol Jatra or Dol Purnima however, the celebrations are a bit different. On this day, the idols of Radha and Krishna are worshipped and taken out on street processions. Also, people have fun by splashing each other with colors and water.
- Hola Mohalla – Punjab:
Also called by the name Warrior Holi, this festival is particularly observed by the ‘Nihang’ sect of Sikhs. This occasion generally occurs on the day prior to Holi and consists of celebratory activities like martial arts performances and singing of warrior songs.
- Shigmo – Goa:
This is an extravagant and splendid spring celebration that annually takes place in Goa. This event is a major tourist attraction and includes traditional folk dance performances. There are processions and parades which has farmers taking part in folk and street dances.
- Kaman Pandigai – Tamil Nadu:
On this day, people of Tamil Nadu worship Kaamadeva for his ultimate sacrificial death on the day of Holi. This festival and its traditions have its roots in an age old legend. Songs of sorrow and pain are sung on this day as well as sandalwood is popularly offered to Kaamadeva.
- Phagu Purnima – Bihar:
This festival is popularly known as ‘Phaguwa’ according to the local Bhojpuri dialect. It’s a tradition to light up the Holika Pyre before the Holi celebrations commence. The celebrations include spraying each other with water and smearing with powdered colors while dancing and singing to popular Holi tunes. Intake of the popular Holi beverage “bhang” is also a custom on this day.