New Delhi: Holi festival is one of the most famous festivals of Hindus. This is one of the most colourful and vibrant festival, which is celebrated across the country. This festival celebrates the victory of good over evil. Holi is celebrated in different parts of the country and people celebrate this festival with utmost joy and fervor.
Choti Holi will be celebrated on March 24, 2024 and this year Dhulandi is going to be celebrated on Purnima Tithi in the month of Falguna, on March 25, 2024.
Holi 2024: Significance
Holi is an auspicious Hindu festival which is celebrated across the country by all Hindus with great pomp and show. One of India's most awaited seasons, spring arrives with Holi. Holi is a celebration of the rebirth of life and the victory of good over evil and brightness over darkness when winter ends and the natural world starts to flourish again.
The celebration honours a number of Hindu mythological stories, Prahlad and Holika was one of the most famous story among all. Lord Vishnu's ardent devotee Prahlad and the sister of Hrianyakashyapu was Holika. Hiranyakashyapu wanted to hill his son Prahalad but Lord Vishnu saved Prahalad.
Holi celebration in different parts of India
Mathura and Vrindavan
Legendary Holi celebrations take place here and these locations are linked to the life of Lord Krishna. In temples, people assemble to act out episodes from Krishna's life while dousing each other in coloured powder and sprinkling water.
Delhi and Uttar Pradesh
People celebrate with tremendous fervour, using colours creatively and indulging in festival cuisine. On the eve of Holi, bonfires are lighted as a symbol of the demon Holika being burned.
Punjab
Holi is observed by Sikhs as Hola Mohalla, a martial arts celebration that features processions and simulated combat to display military might.
Gujarat
Traditional Gujarati sweets like gujiya and thandai are consumed along with music and dance during the Holi celebrations. Dhuleti is the name of the celebration, during which groups of young men attempt to reach a pot of buttermilk hung high in the streets by building human pyramids.
Maharashtra
Holi is widely celebrated in Mumbai and other parts of the state. People cover each other with colours, dance to the beat of dholaks, and take part in public processions.
West Bengal
In West Bengal, Holi is celebrated with the swinging of Radha and Krishna idols on ornamented swings known as "dols," in observance of Dol Purnima or Dol Jatra. In addition, they dance to traditional folk tunes and apply paint.
Bihar
Traditional songs and rituals are used by the people of Bihar to celebrate Holi. A unique food known as "malpua" is made, and people go to one other's homes to exchange colouring books.
Karnataka
Holi is observed as "Kamadahana" in several parts of the state. To represent the burning of the demon Kamadeva, people light bonfires. They play with colours and water the following day.
Tamil Nadu
Although not as popular as it is in other regions of India, some people there do celebrate Holi. People congregate in some places to eat festive cuisine and play with colours.
Madhya Pradesh
Holi is observed with customary zeal in towns like Indore and Bhopal. Colours are played with, folk tunes are sung and danced to, and festive treats are consumed.
