India is known for its colourful rituals ( Holi Celebration in India 2022 ), and the ‘Festival of Colors’ is one of the most vibrant of them all. Holi, the colourful celebration that welcomes the spring season, is celebrated by splattering coloured water and spray paint on one another. In India, there are many good places to celebrate Holi.
It commemorates the death of the demon Holika by Prahalathan, a devotee of Lord Vishnu, according to legend. The festival celebrations include cultural dance and music performances, puppet shows, and much more. Although Holi is observed throughout the country, it is only celebrated as an exclusive holiday in a few states.
Holi is one of Amazing India’s most beautiful celebrations (Holi Celebration in India 2022). Friends and family throw coloured water and colour powders on each other during this two-day event to make celebrations. During this celebration, there is joy, happiness, and you can see colourful people and people in coloured clothes (or even wet garments) on the streets. While many people in India are familiar with the festival’s colours and activities, just a few are aware of its significance and how it is observed in India.
Important information - Holi Celebration in India 2022 - Holi 2022 - Monday, 18 March 2022 - Holika Dahan Muhurta - Thursday, March 17, 2022, Time 09:06 PM to 10:16 PM - Purnima Tithi Begins - 01:29 PM on March 17, 2022 - Purnima Tithi Ends - 12:47 PM on Mar 18, 2022
What is Holi festival?
The ‘festival of colours’ is significant because it symbolizes the arrival of the harvest or spring season. This event is divided into two sections: Holika Dahan and Rang-wali Holi. Sanskrit literature and Hindu mythology both describe the colourful celebration. This energetic and exciting celebration dates back to roughly the fourth century AD. There is also an ancient mythological famous drama called ‘Ratnaval’ in which the scenes of Holi are precisely recounted.
History behind Holika Dahan
Holi originally comes from the mythological female demon ‘Holika.’ According to Vedic texts, this female demon died in a horrible death while attempting to murder her demon brother King Hiranyakashyap’s son. As a symbolic ceremony, people painted one other’s faces with her ashes that remained in the fire the next day to mark the victory over evil. Over time, this evolved into people colouring each other’s faces with various colours during the festival period.
Rituals of Holi Festival- Holi Celebration in India 2022
People mistakenly believe that Holi is only about colouring each other, however, there are other more traditions associated. Many people, associations, and even organisations participate in the ceremonies done during the festival of colours. Each of these traditions refers to an event that occurred in ancient times.
These are the most commonly performed rituals during the Holi festival.
1. Color powder is rubbed on each other– Holi Celebration in India 2022
Even among non-Hindus across the nation, this is one of the most popular ways to celebrate Holi. For various causes, this type of celebration has been included in many events and ceremonies all across the world. This ceremony is linked to the mythological account of Holika, the female demon, and her King brother Hinranyakashyap, who was burned alive.
They rubbed each other with their ashes in ancient times after the lady demon burned in the fire while setting a trap for King Hiranyakashyap’s son. Then Lord Vishnu set fire to him, and the people rubbed his ashes over each other. Today, the same procedure is conducted, but with brightly coloured powder.
2. Throwing colored water on people – Holi Celebration in India 2022
On Holi, there is indeed a different storey about throwing powder and even splashing girls in water. Lord Krishna, like many other young males of his generation, was notorious for his mischievous behaviour.
He is also said to have performed pranks on girls, including splashing them with water, according to mythology. This is now seen as a ceremony or habit, with people throwing coloured water on Holi morning. They have mini-water pumps and water balloons these days to pour water in a fun-filled Holi tradition.
3. The Human Pyramid and Matka Pot – Holi Celebration in India 2022
This is another Holi event that people anticipate with great excitement. This tradition is practised in the northern and western Indian states of Punjab and Maharashtra. The term ‘Matka’ refers to an earthen pot filled with buttermilk. This pot of buttermilk is hanging from a height, such as a building or a tree, by ropes.
During Holi, the males of that particular set of participants create the tallest pyramid possible in the hopes of breaking the pot. The women folks try everything they can to prevent them from accomplishing their goals. Women splash tiny buckets of water and do other things to make breaking the ‘Matka’ difficult.
4. Lathmar : Hitting the men with sticks – Holi Celebration in India 2022
This is ‘a man-beating’ ritual in which adjoining villages and communities participate. This has a mythological connection with the Gopis, Krishna, and Radha, and is now a tradition. Males annoy the females, who are then beaten up by ‘lathis’ in revenge.
As a result, it is known as ‘Lathmar,’ which means ‘beatings with sticks.’ This event is mostly observed in Northern India, particularly in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, which is known as the “Land of Young Krishna.” The towns of Barsana and Nandagaon eagerly anticipate this event, during which they re-enact this famous narrative to the accompaniment of loud music and celebration.
5. Holika Dahan: Burning the effigy of Holika
Holi is a two-day celebration, although the rituals and celebrations begin days before the main event. People all over the world gather wooden logs, stack them in a mound, and fire ablaze on Holi’s full moon evening.
This fire is symbolic of Holika’s burning, known as Holika Dahan, and preparations for this ceremony begin months in advance. People assemble around the burning pyre for this ceremony, and ladies dress in traditional attire and sing bhajans (praise songs) to Lord Vishnu.
How Long is Holi Celebrated?
Holi Celebration in India 2022 is for two days celebrated on March 18th and 19th but the celebrations start 2–3 days earlier.
Holi is celebrated in all of India’s states as well as many other nations with Hindu populations, particularly in Nepal. The colorful Holi Celebration in India 2022 takes place at Nepal’s Durbar Square, which is a popular tourist destination. Diverse regions of India are known for different ways of celebrating or performing Holi festivities.
1. Holi in Barsana
Barsana is a small village in Uttar Pradesh near Mathura. As a daily routine, this town remains sticks to the land’s culture and history. When it comes to festivals, the community transforms into a colourful wonderland. The Holi celebration is marked by an age-old custom in which ladies of the region beat up males with a short stick covered with brightly coloured cloth and paper.
Lathmar is the name of the festival. Lathmar Holi is played one week before the official Holi festival. The community celebrates Ladoo Holi two days before Holi, during which all of the homes in the area prepare sweets to share with others. People perform unique rituals at home and in temples on Holi Day before showering each other in coloured water and powder. Tourists are more than welcome to join in the festivities.
2. Mathura & Vrindavan Traditional Holi
We recommend visiting Mathura or Vrindavan if you want to experience a Holi holiday free of commercialism. Mathura is a historic city that is thought to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna. On Holi Day, people begin a long procession from the temple to the Holi Gate with music, dance, and joy. This is the start of the Holi festival, which lasts for a week.
Banke Bihari temple is where the ceremony will take place in Vrindavan. Thousands of people gather at the temple the day before Holi to celebrate God’s Holi.
Coloured water is sprayed on the god and the devotees by the priests. The worshippers all chant at the same time. It’s a fantastic place to observe cultural and ritual events.
The Holi celebrations begin at 9 a.m. on the day of the festival. Inside the temple, people sprinkle coloured powder at each other. Worshippers dress in bright colours or white to take advantage of the colours. You can get street food, gift shops, and much more right outside the temple.
3. Holi in Shantiniketan
Shantiniketan in West Bengal is the finest place to go if you want to enjoy a Holi festival filled with cultural events. Holi is known as Basanta Utsav in India.
During the festival, there will be a variety of cultural events. Folk dance, music festivals, puppet shows, and other events are held all over the city. During this day, the city’s temples perform unique ceremonies.
4. Holi in Purulia
Basanta Utsav is a spring festival held in Purulia, West Bengal. It is, however, considerably different from the one celebrated at Shantiniketan. Folk, Nauta, Chau, and Darbarijhumur dances are performed all over the place. Baul musicians perform concerts in Purulia at various locations. The festival is held at several locations throughout the city.
The iconic festival, on the other hand, takes place in Bandhar Deul, an ancient temple. Thousands of people gather at the temple early in the morning to enjoy music and colourful displays. People who come to the temple to celebrate Holi are fed Mohua, a native beverage. The evenings are dedicated to various types of dancing.
People enjoy folk performances at an open-air theatre that has been built. Poetry recitals are held in the shrine the day following Holi. Short folk performances are also held in various locations.
5. Holi in Anandpur Sahib
In Anandpur Sahib, Punjab, Holi is celebrated in the traditional way, with rituals, cultural events, and a variety of colours. Hola, a Sik festival, is held the day following Holi in Anandpur Sahib.
A big three-day carnival begins the day before Holi and concludes on Hola, the Sikh New Year. Fireworks, music, poetry, dance forms, martial art performances, and many other activities are available. Near the Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, a military-style procession is conducted.
6. Holi in Udaipur
Holi is celebrated in a grand manner in Udaipur. Holika Dahan is performed the evening before Holi. The royal family of Udaipur, seated on elephants or horses, participates in the celebration’s legendary parade. From the palace to Manek Chowk, the entire city organises a procession of dancing, music, and celebrations to accompany the royal family. If you want to have a princely experience, go to Mewar’s magnificent capital. Processions on decorated horses, court dancers, and traditional folk music performances are among the sights to witness.
The chowk region hosts a massive bonfire, which is followed by dance and music performances. A giant puppet of the monster Holika is burned in the fire at the conclusion of the day, recreating a mythological scene that leads to the Holi celebration. Buckets of coloured water are sprayed at anyone seen on the street on Holi day. Folk dances and music are popular among the public. Udaipur’s hotels and restaurants host live night dancing events with DJs. Udaipur is one of the most popular Holi destinations in India.
7. Holi in Delhi
If you enjoy partying, Delhi is the place to be, especially during the Big Holy Festival, which has loud music, parties, and stage performances.
8. Holi in Goa
Holi is celebrated on the beaches of Goa, which also hosts Shigmo, with gigantic playacting, mythical cut-outs, massive processions, and lots of fun.
9. Holi in Hampi
Visitors splatter each other with colours and there is loud music, drums, in one of the most ancient cities known as ‘temple town.’
Frequently Asked Questions About Holi celebrations In India
1. Where is the best place to celebrate in Holi in India?
Jaipur, Vrindavan, Delhi, Udaipur, Uttarakhand, Awadh, and Purulia are some of the best destinations to see some of the craziest Holi celebrations.
2. How is the Holi celebration in India?
Holi is one of India’s most well-known and largest festivities. The first day is known as ‘Choti Holi,’ while the second day is known as ‘Rangwali Holi.’ On the first day, a Holika bonfire is lit in the evening, during which people pray to God for the cleansing of their interior wickedness. People begin playing Holi with herbal colours and water on the second day, beginning in the morning. On the day of Holi in India, it is typical to see people chasing one other while throwing Holi colours or coloured water.
3. How can we make the Holi festival more eco friendly?
Make your own colours with organic colours like flowers and leaves, and don’t waste water.
Disclaimer:
Unless otherwise stated, RajasthaniRoyals takes no credit for the photographs published on our blog site. All visual content is copyrighted to the original creators. When possible, we try to connect back to original sources. Please email us if you own the rights to any of the photographs and do not want them to appear on RajasthaniRoyals. We will immediately delete them. We believe in giving full credit to the author, artist, or photographer who created the work.