Holi, the festival of colours, is celebrated with great zeal in different and unique ways all over the country. Last two years, the celebrations had to be toned down due to the pandemic. But in 2022, Holi enthusiasts want to make up for a lost time by enjoying the occasion thoroughly.
In Braj, Nandgaon, Vrindavan and Barsana, the celebration begins a month ahead of Holi and continues for a few days afterwards. Though the popular Lathmar Holi, Ladoo Mar Holi and Phoolo Ki Holi have already been played on Ekadashi and days before, one can experience the dynamic and colourful Holi at Vrindavan on the day itself.
To soak in the traditional Holi festivities, Himachal Pradesh is another option. In the Kinnaur district, the Holi celebration in the quaint village of Sangla is very famous. The festival, known as the Faugli festival, is celebrated to worship the local deities. There is a riot of colours, and people dance to traditional folk music, perform skits and have special wine called phasur.
Punjab celebrates the festival with lots of thrill. Local peoples call it ‘Hola Mohalla’, which is celebrated a day after Holi. Travellers also have an opportunity to experience their special martial arts, including chakkar spinning, horsemanship, swordsmanship, tent pegging, and other war-like sports. Halwas, puris, gujias, raw jackfruit and malpuas are an essential part of the festival. Kirtans and poetry competitions are also held.
In the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, Palampur organises a four-day Holi fest every year. It’s a state-level fair that lasts up to a week. The festival starts at Kali Mata Mandir. Various dance performances are organised. The town also arranges Shobha Yatra which requires walking around the town with festivities, followed by a wrestling competition. There is a unique dog show, for which people train their pets around the year. The celebration is incomplete without piping hot jalebis and pakoras.
Hampi in Karnataka, too, attracts a lot of millennial and foreign travellers for Holi. Locals welcome the spring season with drums and dances. Holi is celebrated on the banks of the Tungabhadra river.
The Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain turns into a foray of colours on Holi. Thandai and purukiyas are local delicacies from the place one shouldn’t miss. Lakhs of devotees visit the temple for the festivities.
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