How holi is celebrated in different parts of India

This is a contribution post by Richa Newatia

We all know Holi is the colour of the festival, and it’s celebrated for the legend of Holika, and Prahlad for winning against Hiranyakashipu’s evil initiation. It is a symbol of the victory of good over evil in Hinduism.

As we know India is a country where different festivals are celebrated as well as the same festival is celebrated in different ways. Do you know how Holi is celebrated in different ways in different places? Here’s all you need to know about different forms of celebrating the festival of Holi:

Manjul Kali in Kerala

In Kerala, it is celebrated In Gosripuram Thiruma’s Konkani Temple. On the first day devotees visit the temple, on the second-day people throw colours at each other which contain turmeric and people dance. The festival continues for 4 days, as Holi is celebrated less in Kerala.

Lathmar Holi

Lathmar Holi is a festival celebrated in Barsana, and Nandgaon the God Radha Krishna town. This Holi is the origin of the divine couple Radha Krishna. Krishna wanted to spray holi colour on Radha and when he entered Barsana to play with Radha, her friend welcomed Krishna and his friend with a stick. Following the same tradition women play with sticks on men. Holi is celebrated for a week and ends on Rang Panchami.

Kamadahana in Tamil Nadu

The story says Sati died by suicide due to her father’s disagreement over her wanting to marry Lord Shiva, which made Lord Shiva sad, and he began meditating. Meanwhile, Parvati started meditating to receive Lord Shiva as her husband. God approached Kaamadeva and asked him to shoot his arrow at lord Shiva so Lord Shiva came to his original senses, and married Parvati. Kaama does the same act, and lord Shiva gets angry and opens his third eye that burns him to ashes. Lord Shiva sees Parvati and marries her and later Rati, wife of Kaamadeva approaches Lord Shiva. At her request Lord Shiva partly restored Kamadeva. Rati sings for Kaamadeva.  When Kamadeva starts breathing again it is celebrated as Holi in Tamil Nadu.

Holi is celebrated where songs are sung that tell stories of Rati and her lamentations.

In this way, holi is celebrated in different parts of India.

What kind of holi do you like to play and watch?

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Richa Newatia has completed her BBA in finance and is now pursuing MBA. She has been a content writer for 8 months. You can find more on her blog.