Different types of Holi celebrations across India | Fusion - WeRIndia

Holi, the Festival of Colors, is one of India’s most vibrant and joyous celebrations, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil and the arrival of spring.

While the main day of Holi in 2025 falls on March 14, the full moon tithi will begin on March 13 in the morning and end on March 14 by noon.

However, the festivities often extend beyond these dates and are celebrated in diverse ways across various regions of India.

Beyond just colours, Holi is a time for forgiveness, re-connection, and embracing the season of renewal.

Here are different types of Holi traditions celebrated across India:

Lathmar Holi

Celebrated in Barsana and Mathura, Lathmar Holi is known for women playfully hitting men with sticks in response to their attempts to colour them, symbolizing the playful rivalry between Radha and Krishna.

Dola Holi

In Odisha, Holi is celebrated as Dola, a five-to-seven-day festival where idols of Lord Krishna are taken out in processions, accompanied by songs, dances, and sweets.

Phagunwa

In Bihar, the Bhojpuri style of Holi, known as Phagunwa, is celebrated after Vasant Panchmi. Villagers gather to sing folk songs and enjoy traditional foods like Malpua and Pakora.

Besant Utsav

West Bengal celebrates Holi as a spring festival with people wearing yellow clothes symbolizing abundance, and playing with Gulal to welcome the season.

Shigmo

Shigmo in Goa is a 14-day festival celebrated by farmers to mark the arrival of spring. It includes parades, folk dances, and traditional music.

Yasang

In Manipur, the six-day Yasang festival blends Hindu and local traditions, featuring prayers, folk dances, and vibrant colour play.

Bathki or Khadi Holi

In Uttarakhand, Holi is celebrated with traditional dress, folk songs, and street processions, known as “toils.”

Rang Panchami

In Maharashtra, Rang Panchami follows the Holika Dahan, with people playing with both dry and wet colours the next day.

Doll Jatra

Doll Jatra is another form of Holi in West Bengal, where women dress in yellow and participate in grand processions with Krishna idols.

Manjal Kulli or Ukuli

In Kerala, communities celebrate Holi with turmeric as the primary colour in a tradition called Manjal Kulli or Ukuli.

Pakwa

In Assam, Pakwa is a two-day festival where people celebrate with clay hut burning and colour play.

Hola Mohalla

Hola Mohalla in Punjab is a warrior-style Holi, celebrated by Nihang Sikhs with martial arts displays, singing, and dancing.

Each region adds its own unique touch to the celebrations, making Holi a truly pan-Indian festival of colours, joy, and togetherness.

Image by Mohit Prateek from Pixahive (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image Published on April 02, 2021

Image Reference: https://pixahive.com/photo/indian-festival-holi-illustration/