Also known as: Holika Dahan, Dhulandi, Rangwali Holi, Dol Jatra, Kamadahanam, Shigmo, Phagwah · Observed: Across India, especially North India and Braj
Significance of Holi
Holi is the festival of colours, celebrated at the end of winter on the full moon of Phalguna and the day after. It begins with Holika Dahan, a bonfire on the full moon night that symbolises the burning away of evil, and continues the next morning with Rangwali Holi, when people throw coloured powder and water on one another, sing, dance and share sweets. Social distinctions are set aside for the day, old quarrels are forgiven, and the joy of spring is shared by all.
Holi also has an agricultural meaning, as the winter crops ripen. In many villages, ears of new wheat and barley are roasted in the Holika fire and shared as prasad.
Legends of Holi
The Bhagavata Purana tells of the asura king Hiranyakashipu, who demanded that everyone worship him, while his young son Prahlada remained devoted to Vishnu. After many attempts to kill Prahlada failed, the king's sister Holika, who had a boon making her immune to fire, sat in a blazing pyre with Prahlada on her lap. By divine grace, Holika was burnt and Prahlada emerged unharmed. Vishnu later appeared as Narasimha to destroy Hiranyakashipu. The Holika bonfire recalls the victory of faith over arrogance.
In Braj, Holi is tied to Krishna. As a child, Krishna wondered why his skin was dark while Radha was fair; Yashoda playfully suggested he colour Radha's face, and the play of colours with Radha and the gopis became the heart of the festival. In South India, the full moon is linked to Kamadahanam, when Shiva burnt Kamadeva with his third eye, later restoring him at Rati's plea.
How Holi Is Celebrated
On the evening of the full moon, communities gather around a pyre of wood and cow-dung cakes, perform puja with roli, rice, flowers, raw cotton thread, coconut and new grain, circle the fire and light it at the auspicious time. The next morning is Dhulandi or Rangwali Holi, with gulal, water guns and music. Gujiya, malpua, puran poli, dahi vada and thandai are the festive foods.
Braj celebrates for weeks: Lathmar Holi at Barsana and Nandgaon, where women playfully strike men with sticks, Phoolon wali Holi with flowers at Vrindavan, and the Huranga at Dauji. In Bengal and Odisha, Dol Jatra or Dol Purnima swings images of Radha and Krishna and coincides with the birth anniversary of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu; Basanta Utsav at Santiniketan welcomes spring with song. In Punjab, Hola Mohalla at Anandpur Sahib follows with martial displays. Goa celebrates Shigmo, Maharashtra observes Rangapanchami five days later, and Manipur holds Yaoshang.
How the Date Is Determined
Holika Dahan is performed on Phalguna Purnima, the full moon that ends the month of Phalguna in the amanta calendar. The bonfire is lit during pradosha, after sunset, while Purnima prevails, and Bhadra, the Vishti karana that occupies the first half of the full moon tithi, is avoided; if Bhadra extends past pradosha, the fire is lit after Bhadra ends. Rangwali Holi is celebrated the next day, the first day of the dark fortnight, which in the purnimanta calendar of North India is already Chaitra Krishna Pratipada.
Rituals and customs
- Holika Dahan bonfire on the full moon evening
- Offering new grain, coconut and cotton thread to the fire
- Playing with gulal and coloured water the next morning
- Lathmar and flower Holi in Braj
- Dol Jatra swing festival in Bengal and Odisha
- Gujiya, malpua and thandai shared with neighbours