Tag: Color Festival in India called Holi

Holi Festival: A Colourful Celebration in India

The colorful festival is observed across the Indian subcontinent and
places with large Hindu Diasporas like Suriname, Guyana, South Africa,
Trinidad, UK, USA, Mauritius, and Fiji. In West Bengal and Bangladesh
it is known as Dol-yatra. The most celebrated Holi is that of the Braj
region, in locations connected with Lord Krishna: Mathura, Vrindavan
and Barsana. Holi lasts here to up to sixteen days.
Legend says Demoness Holika, carried little Prahlad into the fire to
destroy him and got burnt – Choti Holi – a day before the main
festival celebrates this with a bonfire. On Holi day, also known as
Dhulandi or Dhulendi by people throw colored powder and water at each
other.
In Braj bhoomi Holi commemorates of the divine love of Shri Radha
Krishna. Krishna, legend says complained to his mother about his dark
and Shri Radhika’s fair complexion. Yashoda asked him to color Radha’s
face. The celebrations mark the end of winter and ushers in spring. It
is celebrated on the last full moon of Phalguna (February/March).
Rangapanchami, the fifth day of the full moon marks the end of
festivities.
An alternative story marks Holi as the destruction and recreation of
Kamdeva by Lord Shiva. Holika Dahan is referred to as Kama Dahanam in
Andhra Pradesh.
Reference of Holi is found in Narada Purana and Bhavisya Purana and
Harshavardhan’s Ratnavali.
Barsana’s ‘Lath mar holi’ is unique. It is Shri Radha’s village. The
Kumaoni holi(s)– Baithaki, Mahila Holi and Khari Holi are an unique
journey into melody, besides sharing other traditional aspects.
Holi is called Phagwa in Bhojpuri. In Bengal ‘Dol Yatra’ sees
traditional fanfare and in Orissa Lord Jagannath replaces idols of
Shri Radha Krishna.
Holi is a part of Goan or Konkani spring festival known as Śigmo. In
Gujarat some celebrations reflect the rituals of Barsana.
Holi merges with the centuries-old festival of Yaosang in Manipur. The
folk dance ‘thaabal chongba’ is performed to beats of drum on the full
moon night of Lamta (Phalgun).

“Khaa Key Gujia, Pee Kae Thandai,

Laaga k Thora Thora Sa Rang,

Baaja Ke Bholak Aur Mridang,

Khele Holi Hum Aap K Sang” ~ HOLI MUBARAK

The colorful festival is observed across the Indian subcontinent and places with large Hindu Diasporas like Suriname, Guyana, South Africa, Trinidad, UK, USA, Mauritius, and Fiji. In West Bengal and Bangladesh it is known as Dol-yatra. The most celebrated Holi is that of the Braj region, in locations connected with Lord Krishna: Mathura, Vrindavan and Barsana. Holi lasts here to up to sixteen days.

Legend says Demoness Holika, carried little Prahlad into the fire to destroy him and got burnt – Choti Holi – a day before the main festival celebrates this with a bonfire. On Holi day, also known as Dhulandi or Dhulendi by people throw colored powder and water at each other.

In Braj bhoomi Holi commemorates of the divine love of Shri RadhaKrishna. Krishna, legend says complained to his mother about his dark and Shri Radhika’s fair complexion. Yashoda asked him to color Radha’s face. The celebrations mark the end of winter and ushers in spring. It is celebrated on the last full moon of Phalguna (February/March). Rangapanchami, the fifth day of the full moon marks the end of festivities.

An alternative story marks Holi as the destruction and recreation of Kamdeva by Lord Shiva. Holika Dahan is referred to as Kama Dahanam in Andhra Pradesh.

Reference of Holi is found in Narada Purana and Bhavisya Purana and Harshavardhan’s Ratnavali.

Barsana’s ‘Lath mar holi’ is unique. It is Shri Radha’s village. The Kumaoni holi(s)– Baithaki, Mahila Holi and Khari Holi are an unique journey into melody, besides sharing other traditional aspects.

Holi is called Phagwa in Bhojpuri. In Bengal ‘Dol Yatra’ sees traditional fanfare and in Orissa Lord Jagannath replaces idols of Shri Radha Krishna.

Holi is a part of Goan or Konkani spring festival known as Śigmo. In Gujarat some celebrations reflect the rituals of Barsana.

Holi merges with the centuries-old festival of Yaosang in Manipur. The folk dance ‘thaabal chongba’ is performed to beats of drum on the full moon night of Lamta (Phalgun).

In 2011, Holi, the festival of colours in India will be celebrated on 20th March. Lets the colour shower the Joy of life….

“Holi Mae Sab Miljate Hai, Khusiyo Ke Rang Khil Jate Hai”  Early Bird Reservation and Booking Open for Family and your friends to celebrate colourful Holi at Toshali Sands, Puri http://bit.ly/eZcJOI and Toshali Royal View Resort, Shimla http://bit.ly/hugCf4 . You can also contact “Metu” your Travel Consultant at metu@toshali.in ..