Holi- A popular festival that encompasses all irrespective of one’s religion, caste, creed or gender. Holi also known is the festival of colours is one of the one of the most popular festivals of India. Celebrated throughout the country most notably so in parts of Northern India, the festival generally associated with the arrival of spring is known by several different names depending upon the regions where it is celebrated. Thus, it known as Phagwah in Assam, Dolajātra in Odisha and Bengal and also as Basantotsav or spring festival is several other parts of the country
A colourful fun filled and boisterous festival, the uniqueness of Holi lies in the fact that for a festival which has a religious connotation, it’s a festival which is celebrated by people of all caste, creed or religion irrespective of their age. On this day, one will find kids, young and old donning new clothes (preferably white) and smearing each other – friends, neighbours, relatives and even an unknown passerby with colours. For the kids, Holi is extra special, for on this day they can get away with almost everything- they could smear or dunk that cranky old neighbour with water and colours and still get away. Not only this, they can also gorge on sweets like gujiya, mathri and papri made especially for this occasion without any one stopping them. Even for adults, Holi is a time of’ revelry where they can catch up with friends, a day when getting intoxicated with bhang is acceptable. However, don’t take the intoxicating part for granted for if you break some law or other then you are liable get caught, so be on guard! Now then, if you want to experience this colourful festival first hand in country of its origin, then make it a point to be in India or any part of India by 27th March by making sure that your air tickets and holiday apartments are all booked for this occasion.
Origins of the festival
As a festival, Holi is celebrated over a period of two days known as ‘Choti Holi’ (small holi) or as Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi (the main Holi). Often celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phagun (February/March), Holi usually marks the beginning of the spring season and of new harvest, hence the celebration with colours and bonfires known as Holika Dahan (or burning of Holika). The issue of bonfires brings forth the religious aspect of the festival. Holika was the demon sister of the arrogant demon king Hiranyakashipu who had forbade the worship of the Gods. Everybody followed the order except for the king’s own son Prahlada, who was a staunch devotee of the God Vishnu. Enraged, he asked his sister to kill his son by taking him on a pyre and burning him. Holika, who was blessed with the boon that she can’t be harmed by fire tired to, only to get burned in return with Prahlad remaining unscathed. Hiranyakashipu himself was later killed by Narshima, the half lion, half man incarnation of Vishnu. The burning of Holika thus marks the triumph of good over evil and also brings forth the power of devotion and hence the burning of bonfires on Holi.
Another story traces the beginning of Holi to Krishna, the cow herd who as a mischievous lad used to throw coloured water over the milkmaids (gopis) and also of the undying love that Radha had love for Lord Krishna. Though there are many stories that talk of the beginning of Holi, it is usually these two which are mostly accepted by most people especially of the north. Infact, the festival of Holi is celebrated with so much gusto in some parts the north, that people from India and abroad actually go to these destinations to enjoy it to the hilt. So, if you too are planning to do the same then make it a point to book a holiday home or a vacation rental in those destinations so as to enjoy the festival fully
Destinations to visit for the festival
Though Holi as a festival is celebrated all over the world, there are still some parts of the country where it is celebrated with far more fun fare and gusto. These destinations are:
Few places in India are associated with Krishna, so you can be very well imagine the celebrations. The Holi celebrations of Mathura & Vrindavan are famous the world over and one only needs to be there to see and experience it. And if you want to see men get beaten with sticks by women to the sound of music then head off to Barsana where a special type of Holi called ‘Lath Mar Holi’ is played in the compound of the Radha Rani temple a day before Holi. It is said Radha and her friends who belonged to Barsana took offence to some teasing by Krishna and his friends and went about chasing them with a stick and hence the ritual. A fun filled ritual, the festivities conclude with the drinking of the bhang and playing with colours.
Braj Region Covers Areas Like These
• Agra
• Mathura
• Vrindavan
• Nandagaon
• Barsana
The Braj region is close to Delhi, Gurgoan and Jaipur so if you are staying is some service apartment located in these cities you can easily hire a car or take a bus or rail to reach these places and participate in the activities.
Goa
If you thought that all the festivities ended with the Carnival of Goa, then think again. Goans love to party and enjoy themselves and Holi gives them just the opportunity to do so, except that here Holi is known as Śigmo and is celebrated to the accompaniment to music, dance and of course colours. We don’t need to tell you why you should rent a service apartment in Goa except that once Sigmo ends, Easter will be around the corner and you can celebrate that too when in Goa.
Kerala and Bangalore
Unlike in the north, where Holi is associated with Krishna, in South India, the festival is associated with Kamadeva- the Hindu equivalent of Cupid. It is said that Lord Shiva destroyed Kamadeva when the later struck with his arrow to bring him back to the worldly affairs by falling in love with Goddess Parvati. Enraged that his mediation was broken, Shiva burned him to ashes with his third eye only to resurrect him as a mental image following the request of Rati, Kama’s wife. This probably explains why we can experience and feel love but not see it. So, if you want to know how Holi is celebrated in the south, then be there to discover it firsthand.
The Festivities Never End In INDIA
• Indian Premier League 2013
• Tulip Festival in Kashmir
• Bihu festival of Assam
No matter, what month it is, festivities never end in India. If one gets over, there is a next one around the corner, if not in this part of the country then maybe in the other part. Once Holi ends, the gala sporting event - IPL 2013 is all set to begin. Make sure to extend your short term stay in the holiday flat should you want to see the sporting frenzy of this cricket mad nation. But, if sport is not your cup your tea , we are sure that the Tulip Festival in Kashmir and Bihu festival of Assam will give you ample reason to stay put in India for a longer time.
IPL 2013 : The Upcoming Event in April is Indian Premier League (IPL) is a professional league for Twenty20 cricket championship in India. It was initiated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)
Tulip Festival : The Next Upcoming Fest in India is in Kashmir, India. It has the Asia's largest tulip garden well known as the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, it will start from the April 05 To 15 April 2013.
