Holi Celebrations in Different States of India

The Holi festival brings joy and new hopes in the minds of people which is shown in the colors used to play Holi because spring has arrived. The Holi festival is also symbolic because it shows that good will always win over evil through the legend of Holika and Bhakt Prahlada associated with the festival.

A joyful group of friends celebrating Holi, throwing vibrant clouds of yellow, pink, and blue colors into the air. Their faces are covered in bright powders as they laugh and raise their hands in excitement, capturing the festive spirit of the festival of colors.

Whether it is the Northern states of India or the Southern regions of the nation, the enthusiasm in people during the Holi festival is hard to miss and adds a new meaning to Holi celebration.

Here is the complete breakdown of the different types of Holi and the way of celebrating Holi in different states of India.

Holi in Different Parts of India

Andhra Pradesh – Meduru Holi

Meduru Holi in India is observed in Andhra Pradesh where people take part in different processions. All through they throw colored powder in the air and at each other while singing and dancing together to display their joy and show their love and respect to Lord Krishna.

Assam – Phakuwa or Doul

In Assam, the festival is named Phakuwa or Doul. In this part of India, Holi is played for two days. Huts made of clay are burnt on the first day. This signifies Holika Dahan. On the second day, people engage in playing with colors.

Bihar – Phaguwa

In Bihar, the Holi festival is called Phaguwa. People here follow the traditional custom of Holi in India lighting the bonfire on the first day to mark Holika Dahan and playing with colors on the second. People here also believe that this is the day to end all past conflicts with others and start afresh. During the two-day celebration, people also make a variety of delicacies such as Malpua, Dahi Vade, and Kachori, and consume Bhang.

A close-up of a plate filled with vibrant Holi color powders in shades of purple, yellow, and blue, with a festive celebration happening in the blurred background. People joyfully throw colorful powders into the air, creating a lively and energetic atmosphere of the Holi festival.

Goa – Shigmo

In Goa, Holi is typically celebrated by people to show their joy due to the arrival of spring. Large celebrations are held where people take part in traditional dance and song performances, along with playing with colors. The special thing about Shigmo is that fishing boats are painted with beautiful mythical and religious designs. In Goa, Dhakto Shigmo or small Shigmo is celebrated by the labourers, fishermen, farmers and other people living in rural regions and all others engage in Vhadlo Shigmo or big Shigmo.

Gujarat – Dhuleti

Celebrated for two days, the Gujarati people perform Holika Dahan and offer corn and raw coconut in the fire on the first day and engage in Dhuleti or playing with colors with others on the second day. Fun programs and music festivals are arranged in the Dwarkadheesh temple in Dwarka as well. In Ahmedabad especially, an earthen pot with buttermilk is hung high and boys try to break it by reaching a human pyramid. The girls throw water to stop them.

A close-up shot of a group of Gujarati people joyfully celebrating Holi, throwing vibrant colors into the air. Their faces and clothes are covered in bright powders as they laugh and cheer, capturing the energy and festive spirit of the festival of colors.

Holi of Haryana – Dhulandi

Lord Krishna loved Radha and they were married. Holi in India also marks the sweet relation between sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law especially in Haryana through Dhulandi. It involves healthy and funny pranks while other family members engage in the traditional Holi celebration.

A joyful group of children celebrating Holi by playing with water guns, spraying streams of water while covered in bright colors. The main child in focus, wearing a yellow shirt, laughs with excitement as he aims his pink and yellow water gun. The background captures more children enjoying the festival, creating a lively and cheerful atmosphere.

Kerala – Manjal Kuli

Kerala celebrates Holi in India as Manjal Kuli or Ukuli. It is observed mainly by the Konkani and Kudumbi communities. People engage in playing with natural colors with each other. The primary color used here is yellow and is usually made of Manjal Kuli, the local dialect of turmeric. This makes Manjal Kuli unique.

Maharashtra – Shimga or Rang Panchami

In Maharashtra, Holi is celebrated traditionally by burning Holika while people make unusual sounds with their hands and mouths. The next day they play with Gulal and water to celebrate Rang Panchami. Fishermen sing, dance, and cook delicious recipes to offer to God.

A joyful group of Indian children playing Holi, covered in vibrant pink, yellow, and green colors. The central child, with arms raised, has an ecstatic expression as colored powder fills the air, creating a festive and energetic scene.

Manipur – Yaosang

Manipur, in the Northeast, engages in Holi celebration for 6 days! Yaosang is unique for the traditional Manipuri dance Thabal Chongba performed while playing with colors.

Odisha – Dola

Dola in Odisha is celebrated by the people where, apart from playing with colors and exchanging sweets, devotees also apply Gulal to Lord Jagannath.

Punjab – Holla Mohalla

This is the major attraction of Holi in Punjab. In this event, people display their skills in horse riding and martial arts to honor Sikh warriors of the ‘Nihang’ sect particularly. Later on, people engage in dance, music, poetry recitation and playing with colors.

Tamil Nadu – Kaman Pandigai

Kaman Pandigai of Tamil Nadu is one of the unique types of Holi. People here engage in worshipping the revival of Lord Kaamdeva at the request of his wife Rati after being turned to ashes by angry Lord Shiva. People sing and dance to honor Rati and offer sandalwood to Kaamdev.

Udaipur – Royal Holi

Holi celebration is grand in Udaipur. Typically, the Mewar royal family lights the bonfire and grand processions of the royal band and decorated horses are taken out.

A cheerful group of people celebrating Holi in Udaipur, India, covered in bright colors. The central figure, a young man with a big smile, has his face smeared with yellow, blue, and orange powders, surrounded by a joyous crowd with a historic palace in the background.

Uttarakhand – Kumaoni Holi

This Holi in India is known by different names such as Kahila Holi, Khadi Holi and Baithaki Holi. Both men and women perform folk dances in traditional dresses and play with natural colors such as Charadi made from ash, water, and flower extracts. The celebration here mainly involves musical performances.

Uttar Pradesh – Lathmar Holi

This is one of the most unique types of Holi celebrations. Common in Barsana and Nandgaon region, Lathmar Holi involves women beating men with wooden or bamboo sticks and others sing songs and praise Lord Krishna and Radha.

Different parts of Uttar Pradesh typically have different ways of Holi celebration. For example, in some parts, only flowers are used and in Kanpur, Holi is celebrated for 7 days, where the last day witnesses the famous Holi Mela or Ganga Mela!

In Gorakhpur, people perform special pooja and engage in Holi Milan to promote brotherhood. They visit houses, sing songs, and apply Gulal on each other. In some regions, this day is celebrated as the New Year as it is the first day of Panchang.

West Bengal – Dol Jatra

Also called Basant Utsav, Dol Jatra or Dol Purnima in West Bengal is celebrated with colors, sweets and song and dance performances. In some areas, it is also observed as the ‘Swing Festival.’ This is a special Holi celebration where idols of Lord Krishna and Radha are placed in a decorated palanquin. People take turns swinging it while walking through the streets. Women sing and dance while men throw Abir and colored water at them.

In some areas, the head of the family worships Agnidev and Lord Krishna by observing a fast and then puts Abir on Lord Krishna. Bhog or Prasad is also offered to both to seek blessings for the family.

Conclusion

Typically, playing with colors is the main objective of the Holi festival, which is why it is also rightfully called “The festival of colors.” However, the diverse ways of playing Holi in different states of India give it different names. Typically, the unique ways of Holi celebration display the rich diversity in culture and tradition of India.