Holi is a festival celebrated to welcome spring. The advent of spring symbolizes rejuvenation, new beginnings and everything in life that is optimistic, sunny and brimming. Holi also has a share of mythical stories as the other Indian festivals. Also known as the festival of colors, the festival relates to the legend of Holika . The date of this festival varies as per the Hindu calendar every year. Earlier, this festival was only celebrated in India and Nepal. In recent times, it is celebrated all over Europe and North America where there is a huge Indian population.
Most Indian state has their own way of celebrating Holi. The celebration begins with Holika bonfire on the night before Holi. People gather, sing and dance around the bonfire and pray for the safety of their loved ones. The process of bonfire is the same all over. The next day of Holi begins early morning where people are free to play with colors. Participants play, chase and color each other with dry powder and colored water, with some carrying water guns and colored water-filled balloons for their water fight. This celebration is accompanied with songs and dance in a colorful and joyful atmosphere.
People visit family and friends to throw colors on each other; laugh and chit-chat and then share Holi delicacies i.e. food and drinks. Bhang is mixed into drinks and sweets and consumed by many to enjoy the day. Bhang is prepared by mixing the leaves and flowers of the female cannabis plant. It has been consumed as a beverage since ancient times during this festival. In the evening when the celebration ends, everyone sobers and returns to their chores.
When is Holi celebrated?
Holi is celebrated in Phagun, the 12th month of the Hindu calendar, which corresponds to February or March in the Gregorian calendar. This year, the festival will be celebrated on March 18, though the festivities tend to run longer in some places.
With a critical fall in COVID cases following two years of doing combating the Covid in India, a great many individuals are preparing to celebrate after last year's muffled merriments.
Where is Holi celebrated?
Holi is celebrated in most parts of India, with each region having its own traditions. The celebrations in northern India tend to be more 'colourful' and vivid, while those in the south focus mainly on religious and temple rituals.
However, even among the northern states, there is a difference in how long the celebrations last and what people do. Garg, for instance, has never participated in a Holika Dahan bonfire on the eve of Holi. “In Himachal, we don’t do bonfires,” he said.
Holi is an important festival observed across the whole India, a variety of activities are held during it. Generally speaking, the festive air of Holi in North India, especially in the Golden Triangle Tourist Circuit (Delhi, Jaipur, Agra) is more vivid, and jubilant than that in the southern part of India, which is quite solemn and more focused on religion and temple rituals. The celebration is seen in every nook and cranny of these cities, so there will be no worries missing out the event.
The Holi festival is widely celebrated across India with different customs and celebrations in each region. Then where is the best place for Holi India, Different strokes for different folks. It depends on what you want to experience.
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