You may have heard of Holi, the festival of colors, in India, but there are a lot of unique Holi celebrations across India that you may not know about. One of the most popular festivals around the world, the festival of colors sees many forms in India. Every region celebrates the festival in its own unusual way. Read on to find out more about the different Holi celebrations that take place in India.

What is the festival of Holi?

Holi, the festival of colors, is one of the most important and popular festivals of India. Celebrated on the last full moon day of the lunar month of Phalguna, the festival symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, and the beginning of the spring season. During this festival, people gather together and drench each other in colors and water. The color fight goes on throughout the day.

The eve of Holi is celebrated as Holika Dahan in many places, where a large bonfire is lit and people gather around the bonfire to seek blessings. However, what we know largely as the festival of colors is celebrated in many different ways throughout the country. From beautiful celebrations to downright bizarre rituals, there are many ways to celebrate the festival of Holi in India.

The origin of Holi

The rituals and traditions for Holi differ throughout India, but all have their roots in Indian mythology. However, there are two main legends that are associated with the festival of Holi.

One is the story of Hiranyakashipu and Prahlad. The demon king Hiranyakashipu wanted everyone to worship him, but his son Prahlad refused, and instead worshiped Lord Vishnu. Angered by this, Hiranyakashipu asked his sister Holika to kill him. Holika couldn’t be burned by fire. So she sat on a burning pyre with Prahlad in her lap, knowing that it would kill him. But in a miraculous twist, Holika perished in the fire, while Prahlad was unharmed. This story symbolizes the victory of good over evil. This is why, the eve of Holi is celebrated as Holika Dahan by lighting a bonfire.

One more legend is the love story of Lord Krishna and Radha. In this story, Lord Krishna was in love with Radha, but he was embarrassed by his dark complexion, since Radha was very fair. His mother then asked him to smear some color on Radha’s face so that there would not be a lot of difference between their complexions. Lord Krishna did so, and Radha fell in love with him. This is the origin of the festival of colors, where people throw water and colors on each other.

Here are the most unique and unusual Holi celebrations in India.

1. Lathmar Holi, Uttar Pradesh

Holi is celebrated in quite a quirky way in the town of Barsana near Mathura. Women from Barsana and Nandgaon, armed with lathis (wooden sticks), chase away and hit men, while the men try to dodge the attacks with shields. This is a fun ritual and nobody is actually harmed during this event.

The tradition dates back to the love story of Lord Krishna and Radha. According to legends, Lord Krishna, along with his friends, visited his beloved Radha’s village, Barsana, on this day. He playfully teased her and applied color on her face. The women of the village took offense and chased him and his friends away with sticks.

Lathmar Holi

2. Hola Mohalla, Punjab

Punjab celebrates Warrior Holi, known as Hola Mohalla. While most of India celebrates the festival with colors, Hola Mohalla is a martial festival held one day after Holi. It showcases the valiant spirit of the Sikh community with martial arts, swordsmanship, and mock battles. There are also devotional songs, music, and poetry. The event hosts a langar as well, where everyone is welcome.

The Hola Mohalla marks the beginning of the Sikh New Year and is a tribute to the bravery and brotherhood of Sikh warriors.

See also: Best places to celebrate Holi in India

Hola Mohalla (Picture credits: Hindustan Times)

3. Kumaoni Holi, Uttarakhand

Kumaoni Holi, also known as Baithak Holi and Nirvana ki Holi, is a unique celebration of Holi in Uttarakhand. Dressed in traditional white outfits, people come together and sing classical folk songs, accompanied by musical instruments like harmonium and tabla. More than the festival of colors, Holi here is a musical fiesta. It signifies the beginning of the sowing season for farmers, and goes on for more than a month!

4. Dola Purnima, Odisha and Assam

Dola Purnima, or Dola Jatra, falls on the day of Holi and is celebrated in Odisha and Assam. The festival is marked by vibrant colors, grand processions known as Dola Yatra, and food items like Feni, Pethas, Thandai, and Ghola Dahi. Idols of Lord Krishna are carried in palanquins from door to door, and every house offers something to Lord Krishna and joins the procession.

People play with abir, a colored powder made with organic dried items, and engage in fun activities and games. In the Puri Jagannath Temple, the same ritual is performed with Lord Jagannath, who is worshiped as Dolagovind.

Dola Purnima (Picture credits: Local Samosa)

5. Basant Utsav, West Bengal

The region of Shantiniketan in West Bengal celebrates Holi with Basanta Utsav, or the Spring Festival. This cultural event is celebrated by the teachers and students of Visva Bharati University, founded by Rabindranath Tagore. The most prominent color of the festival is yellow. Everyone wears yellow, orange, and white traditional outfits.

The students display musical performances with classical musical instruments. They use a special color for Holi, abeer, made from dried vegetables. There is also a procession called Dol Yatra by the devotees of Lord Krishna that takes place through the streets of West Bengal.

Basant Utsav

6. Yaosang, Manipur

In Northeast India, Holi is celebrated in Manipur as Yaosang. The five-day festival is celebrated by the Meitei tribe to signify the arrival of spring, new beginnings, and the victory of good over evil.

The vibrant celebration begins with the worship of Lord Krishna, followed by burning a mock straw hut, Yaoshang Meithaba. Young kids visit every household, where they are given festive money. People dress in colorful traditional attire and perform Manipuri folk dances. There are fun games and activities as well, and includes colors, music, and Thabal Chongba procession.

7. Ukuli or Manjal Kuli, Kerala

A unique celebration of Holi in Kerala is Ukuli or Manjal Kuli, which is based on the worship of Lord Shiva. It is celebrated mainly by the Kudumbi and Konkani communities. Unlike the colorful celebrations around India, Ukuli focuses on temple rituals.

Devotees of Lord Shiva gather at Shiva temples and bathe the deity and offer prayers. The temple complexes are adorned with beautiful decorations, and devotees smear holy ash on themselves. Instead of colors, people apply turmeric powder on each others’ faces.

8. Rang Panchami, West Coast and Madhya Pradesh

The states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka celebrate Rang Panchami, a part of the festival of colors. It is known as Shimga in Maharashtra, and Shigmo in Goa. The festival takes place on the fifth day of Holi, which marks the end of Holi in many temples of Mathura and Vrindavan. The festival is very popular among the fisherfolk of the west coast. There are colors, singing, dancing, and mouth-watering food like puranpoli.

Read more: How to experience Holi in India like a local

Rang Panchami

9. Phoolon Wali Holi, Uttar Pradesh

The birthplace and home of Lord Krishna, Mathura and Vrindavan celebrate Holi in a grand way. These sacred cities have a 40-day long festival which begins with Barsana’s Laddu Holi and Lathmar Holi. There is one more Holi that is celebrated in a beautiful way here. Known as Phoolon Wali Holi, meaning “Holi of Flowers”, the festival is played with fresh flower petals. Devotees shower petals of flowers like marigold and roses on each other, instead of colors. The main event takes place at the Banke Bihari Temple, where devotees of Lord Krishna gather to celebrate this festival.

Phoolon Wali Holi (Picture credits: Conde Nast Traveller India)

10. Royal Holi, Rajasthan

The royal state of Rajasthan celebrates Holi in an equally regal way. In Udaipur, the festival of colors takes place at the royal palace of the Mewar royal family. A large bonfire is lit and a magnificent procession takes place from the royal residence to Manek Chowk. The procession includes horses and elephants adorned with vibrant fabrics and jewelry, the royal band, as well as a lot of fireworks.

See also: Most Holi-obsessed countries in the world

11. Masan Holi, Varanasi

Masan Holi in Varanasi might be the weirdest Holi celebration anyone would ever encounter. Devotees of Lord Shiva gather at the Manikarnika Ghat, known to be one of the holiest cremation grounds. They then smear themselves with ashes from the funeral pyres at the ghat, and a pink powder, gulaal. They also dance and sing while chanting Lord Shiva’s name.

The festival is a celebration of death and the legend of Holika and Prahlad. It is believed that the ashes have purifying properties. Devotees smear these ashes to seek internal purification.

Masan Holi (Picture credits: News18)

So, are you excited to celebrate Holi in India? At India Someday, we plan customized trips to India for you based on your interests and requirements. Contact us and we will help you plan your perfect trip to India.