Holi, the boisterous Festival of Colours, is one of India’s liveliest holidays. It coincides this year on March 14, according to Drik Panchang. People join together for this festival to splash colours, celebrate with sweet eats, and groove to music and dance. Even though Holi is generally known to be observed with colour play, regions within India observe one-of-a-kind traditions that imbue the celebration with added glory.
Unique Holi Traditions Across India
Lathmar Holi (Uttar Pradesh)
Celebrated in Barsana, the village where Radha was born, Lathmar Holi is a fun festival where women chase and beat men of Nandgaon (Krishna’s village) with sticks. It is a recreation of the fun teasing between Radha and Krishna, and the atmosphere is filled with excitement.
Phoolon Ki Holi
(Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh)
In Vrindavan, flower petals are showered instead of coloured powders, making the celebration peaceful and scented. Banke Bihari Temple and ISKCON Temple are good spots to watch this lovely custom.
Rang Panchami (Maharashtra)
Observed on the fifth day following the full moon, individuals sing, dance, and put on colours, celebrating the festive mood with traditional folk songs.
Hola Mohalla (Punjab)
Organized by Guru Gobind Singh, Hola Mohalla is a demonstration of martial arts, simulated battles, and large processions, exhibiting Sikh courage and solidarity.
Basanta Utsav (West Bengal)
Dedicated to Rabindranath Tagore, this cultural festival of Shantiniketan includes dance, poetry, and music. People play Holi in a creative and non-violent way, dressed in yellow and orange.
Shigmo (Goa)
A spring festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil, Shigmo is a time of grand parades, folk songs, and traditional dances, one of Goa’s largest cultural events.
The specific traditions of each region give a special flavor to Holi, which becomes a festival of happiness, harmony, and cultural pride.
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