Holi 2024: Dol Jatra to Dhulandi, Different Types of Holi Celebrated in India

Holi 2024: One of the most important festivals of India, Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm among the citizens of India, blurring all the regional barriers and reuniting with vibrant colours and various other celebrations. Popularly known as the Festival of Colours, Holi marks the arrival of spring, starting with the Holika Dahan, followed by various traditional rituals including singing and dancing, festive foods, and taking part in Holi events. While many of us know about the “Rangon ki Holi,” different parts of India have their own ways of celebrating the grand festival, with or without colours, and many other unique ways. Let’s check out some of the most famous Holi celebrations across India.

Phoolon Ki Holi

The very famous Vrindavan Phoolon ki Holi has attracted not only Indians but people from all over the world, who come to India to witness the grand celebrations in Vrindavan. People in Vrindavan do not play Holi with colours or water; instead, they use flowers that represent peace and harmony, as the festival is used to connect with the God of love and joy by showering him with flowers.

Rang Panchami

In Western India, especially Maharashtra, Holi is known as Rang Panchami or Shimga. Holika Dahan, a popular tradition that involves lighting a firewood pyre the night before the celebrations, is part of the festivities. The following morning, Rang Panchami day, people celebrate Holi with wet and dry colours and water, which lasts for a week.

Khadi Holi

In Uttarakhand, Holi has many different names including Baithaki Holi, Mahila Holi, and Khadi Holi. People wear traditional attire, sing folk songs while moving around in “Toli,” and greet each other by applying colour on each other’s faces.

Phaguwa Holi

In Bihar, Holi is known as Phaguwa in the local Bhojpuri dialect. Phaguwa begins with Holika Dahan, followed by Holi celebrations with wet and dry colours, and people listen to traditional music and folk songs all day.

Dol Jatra

In West Bengal, Holi is known as Basant Utsav or Dol Jatra. On this day, women wear mostly yellow, the colour associated with Basant. Aside from the colours, people here recite Rabindranath Tagore’s poetry, followed by traditional song and dance performances. Following Holi, Dol Jatra is a grand procession of Lord Krishna through the streets of Bengal, accompanied by singing and dancing.

Manjal Kuli

In Kerala, people play with colours on this day, so, what’s unique? The colour that is mainly used to play Holi in Kerala is turmeric or Manjal Kuli. Kerala’s Kudumbi and Konkani communities celebrate Holi in this traditional manner.

Lathmar Holi

Popularly known as ‘Barsana ki Holi’, Lathmar Holi is celebrated by men teasing their loved ones by smearing colour on them, and in return, they are beaten up with bamboo sticks.

Dhulandi Holi

Dhulandi Holi celebrates the sweet and sour bond between Bhabhi (sister-in-law) and Devar (brother-in-law). On this special day, Bhabhis have the opportunity to drag and colour their Devars.