Holi is an annual Hindu traditional festival celebrated in the commemoration of the victory of the good god over the demons. It’s a tribute to Lord Vishnu (the lord of preservation) for destroying evil spirit Holika. Later, the name of Holi was changed by the god Krishna and it termed as the ‘Festival of Colors’. Krishna is the reincarnation of Hindu Lord Vishnu and he liked to drench village girls in the water and colors. Hundreds of tourists visit India every year as Holi celebration has made it one of the best places for travel art and culture travel.
When and Where Holy is Celebrated?
Holi is an annual festival celebrated in the Hindu month of Phalguna (March). It’s a welcome to the spring season and merrymakers enjoy the colors of springs. In 2016, it was celebrated on 26 March which was attended by thousands of tourists who especially arranged private tour to witness the beauty of Hindu culture.
Usually, Holi is celebrated all over the India, but in some places you witness more passion and dedication for the religious event. Barsana, Mathura, Udaipur, and Mumbai are famous because of the festivity and depicting the real essence of Holi.
Holi Rituals and Customs
Holika Dhan is a religious and main custom of Holi in which large bonfires are lit as a mark of demoness Holika. Similarly, the devotees perform puja which is based on the local dance and songs. Traditionally, Hindu boys daily spend some time In collecting waste wood and other material to burn in the bonfire. After 10PM, public celebration starts and air fill with shouts, songs and general mayhem. On the other hand, Dolayatra is popular in Bengal, which is also known as swing festival. Women and young girls dance around the swings while men spray colors on the women.
Celebration of Colors
Apart of the Holika Dhan, a carnival of colors is another major ritual in which children, women and men come out in the streets and spray purple, green, orange, red and blue colors on each other. Usually, people make these colors in their homes and use oil and water in the manufacture. Moreover, color pigments and dyes are synthetically mixed with water, which are hard to remove from the body and clothes. Pitchkari is the long sprinkler used in Holi to sprinkle dyes from a distance.
Community Festival
The beauty of the festival is in meeting each other and distributing sweets and food in the relatives and neighbors’ homes. Women and men gather, arrange parties, dress up well and forget all kinds of manners and social norms. No formality is kept in the festivity and people don’t mind getting wet and dirty.
- Lathmar Holi
Lathmar Holi is specified to the Barsana in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It is limited to the region, but has much historical importance and fame.
Conclusion
Holi provides immense opportunities for fun and celebrations. The festivity reaches its peak at night. Those who really want to enjoy colors, music, wine and dance should travel once to India.