Holi
holi hindi pronunciation hoːli popular significant hindu festival celebrated festival colour love spring celebrates eternal divine love deity radha krishna additionally day signifies triumph good evil commemorates victory vishnu narasimha hiranyakashipu holi originated predominantly celebrated indian subcontinent also spread region asia part western world indian diaspora holi also celebrates arrival spring india end winter blossoming love also invocation good spring harvest season last night day starting evening purnima full moon day falling hindu calendar month phalguna fall around middle march gregorian calendar holi hindi होली gujarati હોળી kannada ಹೋಳಿ marathi होळी nepali होली punjabi ਹੋਲੀ telugu హోళి also known dol jatra swing festival bôshonto utshôb bengali বসন্ত উৎসব spring festival bengal west bengal bangladesh phakua assamese ফাকুৱা dôl jātrā assamese দ’ল যাত্ৰা assam phāgu pūrṇimā nepali फागु पूर्णिमा hilly region nepal dola jātra odia ଦୋଳଯାତ୍ରା odisha fagua phagua bhojpuri 𑂤𑂏𑂳𑂄 eastern uttar pradesh western bihar northeastern jharkhand phagwah caribbean hindustani पगवा caribbean namely trinidad tobago guyana suriname jamaica phagua fiji hindi पगवा fiji main day celebration known holi rangwali holi dol purnima dhuleti dhulandi ukuli manjal kuli yaosang shigmo phagwah jajiri holi sacred ancient tradition hindu holiday many state india regional holiday country cultural celebration give hindu nonhindus alike opportunity fun banter people throwing coloured water powder also observed broadly indian subcontinent holi celebrated end winter last full moon day hindu lunisolar calendar month marking spring making date vary lunar cycle date fall typically march sometimes late february gregorian calendar festival many purpose prominently celebrates beginning spring th century literature identified festival celebrated agriculture commemorated good spring harvest fertile land hindu believe time enjoying spring abundant colour say farewell winter many hindu holi festivity mark occasion reset renew ruptured relationship end conflict rid accumulated emotional impurity past also religious purpose symbolically signified legend holika night holi bonfire lit ceremony known holika dahan burning holika little holi people gather near fire sing dance next day holi also known dhuli sanskrit dhulheti dhulandi dhulendi celebrated northern part india child youth spray coloured powder solution gulal laugh celebrate adult smear dry coloured powder abir others face visitor home first teased colour served holi delicacy gujia shakkarpaare matri dahibada dessert drink playing colour cleaning people bathe put clean clothes visit friend family like holika dahan kama dahanam celebrated part india festival colour part called rangapanchami occurs fifth day poornima full moon holi festival ancient hindu festival cultural ritual emerged gupta period festival colour find mentioned numerous scripture work like jaiminis purva mimamsa sutra kathakagrhyasutras even detailed description ancient text like narada purana bhavishya purana festival holikotsav also mentioned th century work ratnavali king harsha mentioned purana dasakumara charita daṇḍin poet kālidāsa th century reign chandragupta ii celebration holi also mentioned thcentury sanskrit drama ratnavali festival holi caught fascination european trader british colonial staff th century various old edition oxford english dictionary mention varying phonetically derived spelling houly hooly huli hohlee hoolee holi edition published braj region india hindu deity radha krishna grew festival celebrated rang panchmi commemoration divine love festivity officially usher spring holi celebrated festival love garga samhita puranic work sage garga first work literature mention romantic description radha krishna playing holi also popular symbolic legend behind festival youth krishna despaired whether fairskinned radha would like dark skin colour mother yashoda tired desperation asks approach radha ask colour face colour wanted radha radha krishna became couple ever since playful colouring radha krishna face commemorated holi beyond india legend help explain significance holi phagwah common caribbean community indian origin guyana suriname trinidad tobago also celebrated great fervour mauritius fiji south africa symbolic legend found th chapter bhagavata purana explaining holi celebrated festival triumph good evil honour hindu god vishnu devotee prahlada king hiranyakashipu father prahlada king demonic asura earned boon gave five special power could killed neither human animal neither indoors outdoors neither day night neither astra projectile weapon shastra handheld weapon neither land water air hiranyakashipu grew arrogant thought god demanded everyone worship hiranyakashipus son prahlada however remained devoted vishnu infuriated hiranyakashipu subjected prahlada cruel punishment none affected boy resolve thought right finally holika prahladas evil aunt tricked sitting pyre holika wearing cloak made immune injury fire prahlada fire spread cloak flew holika encased prahlada survived holika burned vishnu god appears avatar restore dharma hindu belief took form narasimha – half human half lion neither human animal dusk neither day night took hiranyakashyapu doorstep neither indoors outdoors placed lap neither land water air eviscerated killed king lion claw neither handheld weapon launched weapon holika bonfire holi signifies celebration symbolic victory good evil prahlada hiranyakashipu fire burned holika among hindu tradition shaivism shaktism legendary significance holi linked shiva yoga deep meditation goddess parvati wanting bring shiva back world seek help hindu god love called kamadeva vasant panchami love god shoot arrow shiva yogi open third eye burn kama ash upset kama wife rati kamadevi wife parvati rati performs meditative asceticism forty day upon shiva understands forgives compassion restores god love return god love celebrated th day vasant panchami festival holi kama legend significance holi many variant form particularly south india holi festival cultural significance among various hindu tradition indian subcontinent festive day end rid oneself past error end conflict meeting others day forget forgive people pay forgive debt well deal anew life holi also mark start spring occasion people enjoy changing season make new friend holi particular significance braj region includes location traditionally associated radha krishna mathura vrindavan nandgaon barsana gokula place popular tourist attraction holi outside india holi observed hindu nepal bangladesh pakistan well country large diaspora population india around world holi ritual custom vary local adaptation festival traditionally also observed nonhindus jains newars nepal mughal india holi celebrated exuberance people caste could throw colour emperor according sharma several painting mughal emperor celebrating holi grand celebration holi held lal qila festival also known eidegulaabi aabepashi mehfils held throughout walled city delhi aristocrat trader alike participating changed rule emperor aurangzeb banned public celebration holi using farman issue november however celebration later restarted death emperor aurangzeb bahadur shah zafar wrote song festival poet amir khusrau ibrahim raskhan nazeer akbarabadi mehjoor lakhnavi relished writing sikh traditionally celebrated festival least th century historic text referring hola guru gobind singh – last human guru sikh – modified holi threeday hola mohalla extension festival martial art extension started day holi festival anandpur sahib sikh soldier would train mock battle compete horsemanship athletics archery military exercise holi observed maharaja ranjit singh sikh empire extended across northern part india pakistan according report tribune india sikh court record state mound colour used ranjit singh official lahore ranjit singh would celebrate holi others bilawal garden decorative tent set sir henry fane commanderinchief british indian army joined holi celebration organised ranjit singh mural lahore fort sponsored ranjit singh showed hindu god krishna playing holi gopis death ranjit singh sikh son others continued play holi every year colour lavish festivity colonial british official joined celebration night holi called holika dahan chhoti holi whereby people gather around lit bonfire symbolising victory good evil well removal old arrival new various ritual performed around fire singing dancing ritual derived story holika attempted kill prahlada son hiranyakashipu flame bonfire although holika endowed boon remain immune fire burned ash prahlada remained unharmed next morning celebrated rangwali holi dhuleti people smear drench colour water gun waterfilled balloon often used play colour anyone place considered fair game colour group often carry drum musical instrument going place place singing dancing throughout day people visit family friend foe come together chat enjoy food drink partake holi delicacy holi also festival forgiveness new start ritually aim generate harmony society many city uttar pradesh also organise kavi sammelan evening group sing dance playing drum dholak stop fun play colour people offer gujiya mathri malpuas traditional delicacy cold drink including drink made marijuana also part holi festivity bihar eastern uttar pradesh jharkhand holi known phaguwa fagua bhojpuri language region well legend holika prevalent eve phalgun poornima people light bonfire put dried cow dung cake wood araad redi tree holika tree grain fresh harvest unwanted wood leaf bonfire time holika people assemble near pyre eldest member gathering purohit initiate lighting smear others colour mark greeting next day festival celebrated colour lot frolic traditionally people also clean house mark festival holi milan also observed bihar family member wellwishers visit others family apply colour abeer others face foot elderly usually take place evening holi day holi wet colour played morning afternoon due largescale internal migration issue faced people recently tradition slowly begun transform common holi milan entirely different day either actual day holi child youth take extreme delight festival though festival usually celebrated colour place people also enjoy celebrating holi water solution mud clay folk song sung high pitch people dance sound dholak twoheaded handdrum spirit holi intoxicating bhang made cannabis milk spice consumed variety mouthwatering delicacy pakoras thandai enhance mood festival kanpur holi last seven day last day fair called ganga mela holi mela celebrated fair started freedom fighter fought british rule gorakhpur district uttar pradesh special event called holi milan celebrated goa holi locally called ukkuli konkani celebrated around konkani temple called gosripuram temple part goan konkani spring festival known śigmo शिगमो koṅkaṇī śiśirotsava last month colour festival holi part longer extensive spring festival celebration holi festivity śigmo festivity include holika puja dahan dhulvad dhuli vandan haldune offering yellow saffron colour gulal deity gujarat gujarat holi twoday festival evening first day bonfire lit raw coconut corn offered fire second day festival colour dhuleti celebrated sprinkling coloured water applying colour dwarka coastal city gujarat celebrates holi dwarkadhish temple citywide music festivity holi mark agricultural season rabi crop place custom undivided hindu family woman beat brotherinlaw sari rolled rope mock rage try drench colour turn brotherinlaw brings sweet indian dessert evening jammu kashmir jammu kashmir holi celebration much line general definition holi celebration highspirited festival mark beginning harvesting summer crop throwing coloured water powder singing dancing karnataka traditionally rural karnataka child collect money wood week prior holi kamadahana night wood put together lit festival celebrated two day people northern part karnataka prepare special food day sirsi karnataka holi celebrated unique folk dance called bedara vesha performed night beginning five day actual festival day festival celebrated every alternate year town attracts large number tourist different part india maharashtra maharashtra holi purnima also celebrated shimga festivity last five seven day week festival youngster go around community collecting firewood money day shimga firewood heaped huge pile neighbourhood evening fire lit every household brings meal dessert honour fire god puran poli main delicacy child shout holi holi puranachi poli shimga celebrates elimination evil colour celebration take place day rang panchami five day shimga festival people supposed forget forgive rivalry start new healthy relation manipur manipuris celebrate holi day holiday merges festival yaosang traditionally festival commences burning thatched hut hay twig young child go house house collect money locally known nakadeng nakatheng gift first two day youth night perform group folk dance called thabal chongba full moon night lamta phalgun traditionally accompanied folk song rhythmic beat indigenous drum nowadays modern band fluorescent lamp krishna temple devotee sing devotional song perform dance celebrate aber gulal wearing traditional white yellow turban last day festival large procession taken main krishna temple near imphal several cultural activity held recent decade yaosang type indian sport become common many place valley people age come participate number sport somewhat altered holiday odisha people odisha celebrate dola pushpadola day holi icon jagannath replace icon krishna radha dola melana procession deity celebrated village bhoga offered deity dola yatra prevalent even much holi started idol jagannath balabhadra subhadra used taken dolamandapa podium jagannath temple people used offer natural colour known abira deity apply others feat punjab punjab eight day preceding holi known luhatak sekhon state people start throwing colour many day holi holi preceded holika dahan night fire lit historically lubana community punjab celebrated holi great pomp show lubanas buried pice betel nut heaped cowdung cake spot made large fire fire burnt proceeded hunt pice betelnut whosoever found considered lucky elsewhere punjab holi also associated making fool others bose writing cultural anthropology essay noted custom playing holifools prevalent punjab day holi people engage throwing colour local holi mark end winter punjabi saying phaggan phal laggan phagun month fructifying exemplifies seasonal aspect holi tree plant start blossoming day basant start bearing fruit holi holi punjab wall courtyard rural house enhanced drawing painting similar rangoli south india mandana rajasthan rural art part india art known chowkpoorana chowkpurana punjab given shape peasant woman state courtyard art drawn using piece cloth art includes drawing tree motif flower fern creeper plant peacock palanquin geometric pattern along vertical horizontal oblique line art add festive atmosphere folk theatrical performance known swang nautanki take place holi latter originating punjab according self holi fair held punjab may go many day bose state part punjab holi celebrated wrestling match telangana holi called kamuni punnamikama purnima jajiri telugu hindu celebrate holi relates legend kamadeva holi also known different name kamavilas kamuni panduga kamadahanam day festival telangana last two day great importance part india rural telangana day preceding holi child celebrate kamuda playing kolata stick along singing folk song called jajiri collect money rice corn wood reason holi well known jajiri paatalu kamudi aatalu mean festival jajiri song kamudi game th night ie holy eve wood put together set fire representing kama dahanam next morning ie th day celebrated holi colour traditionally extracted modugagogu flower palashbutea monosperma tripura tripura holi known pali mean colour tripuri language celebrated tripura western uttar pradesh barsana town near mathura braj region uttar pradesh celebrates lathmar holi sprawling compound radha rani temple thousand gather witness lath mar holi woman beat men stick sideline become hysterical sing holi song shout radhe radhe sri radhe krishna holi song braj mandal sung pure braj local language holi celebrated barsana unique sense woman chase men away stick male also sing provocative song bid invite attention woman woman go offensive use long stave called lathi beat men protect shield mathura braj region birthplace krishna vrindavan day celebrated special puja traditional custom worshipping radha krishna festival last sixteen day braj region neighbouring place like hathras aligarh agra holi celebrated less way mathura vrindavan barsana traditional celebration includes matki phod similar dahi handi maharashtra gujarat krishna janmashtami memory god krishna also called makhan chor literally butter thief historic tradition braj region well western region india earthen pot filled butter milk product hung high rope group boy men climb others shoulder form pyramid reach break girl woman sing song throw coloured water pyramid distract make job harder ritual sport continues hindu diaspora community uttarakhand kumaoni holi uttarakhand includes musical affair take different form baithki holi khari holi mahila holi baithki holi khari holi people sing song touch melody fun spiritualism song essentially based classical ragas baithki holi बैठकी होली also known nirvan ki holi begin premise temple holiyars होल्यार sing holi song people gather participate along playing classical music song sung particular sequence depending time day instance noon song based peelu bhimpalasi sarang ragas evening song based ragas kalyan shyamkalyan yaman khari holi खड़ी होली mostly celebrated rural area kumaon song khari holi sung people sporting traditional white churidar payajama kurta dance group tune ethnic musical instrument dhol hurka kumaon region holika pyre known cheer चीर ceremonially built ceremony known cheer bandhan चीर बंधन fifteen day dulhendi cheer bonfire green paiya tree branch middle cheer every village neighbourhood rigorously guarded rival mohallas try playfully steal others cheer colour used holi derived natural source dulhendi known charadi छरड़ी chharad छरड़ made flower extract ash water holi celebrated great gusto much way across north india west bengal west bengal tradition dol jatra meaning swing procession dolotsava meaning swing festival dol purnima swing full moon common among gaudiya vaishnavs like among vaishnavs braj region krishna centric sampradays india however several bengali vaishnava padavalis also use term holi bangla হোলী festival shantiniketan west bengal holi additionally also known basanta utsab festival celebrated worshipping icon radha krishna placing decorated swing dol purnima day early morning student mainly shantiniketan dress saffroncoloured pure white clothes wear garland fragrant flower sing dance accompaniment musical instrument ektara dubri veena devotee take turn swing woman dance around swing sing song activity people keep throwing coloured water dry colour abir around year ago sri chaitanya mahaprabhu went vrindavan presentday uttar pradesh witness festival birthplace lord sri krishna return bengal thought starting festival asked follower smear color abir lord krishna idol put abir also instructed give person treat local sweet called malpoa biography sri chaitanya say fond sweet holi also known phagu purnima along many hindu festival celebrated nepal national festival important major nepalwide festival along dashain tihar dipawali celebrated nepali month falgun terai region celebrates date indian holi rest country celebrates day earlier signifies legend hindu god krishna worship saraswati shrine vajrayogini temple celebrate festival hindu friend traditional concert held city nepal including kathmandu narayangarh pokhara itahari hetauda dharan broadcast television various celebrity guest people walk neighbourhood celebrate holi exchanging colour spraying coloured water one another popular activity throwing water balloon one another sometimes called lola meaning water balloon many people mix bhang made cannabis milk spice drink food also done shivaratri believed combination different colour festival take sorrow away make life colourful holi celebrated minority hindu population pakistan community event hindu reported pakistani medium various city karachi hazara rawalpindi sindh hyderabad multan lahore hindu tribe cholistan punjab province pakistan play game called khido day leading holi game khido considered sacred believed parhlad used play game childhood holi public holiday pakistan holi along diwali hindu easter christian adopted public holiday resolution pakistan parliament giving local government public institution right declare holi holiday grant leave minority community first time decision controversial pakistani welcoming decision others criticising concern declaring holi public holiday advertises hindu festival pakistani child year holi become important festival many region wherever indian diaspora either taken indentured labourer colonial era emigrated present large number africa north america europe latin america part asia fiji holi national holiday suriname called phagwa festival celebrated mark beginning spring hindu mythology suriname holi phagwa festival colour customary wear old white clothes day prepared get dirty join colour throwing excitement party phagwa celebrated lot colour splendour along singing traditional phagwah song chowtal new song pichakaree holika dahan celebrated night phagwah castor plant planted ceremonial manner along chanting mantra honour holi called holika day many temple indocaribbean community also pujas honour radha krishna saraswati vishnu lakshmi temple patron deity phagwah public holiday guyana people race religion participate celebration main celebration georgetown held mandir prashad nagar indofijians celebrate holi pagua called fiji hindi festival colour folksong dance folksong sung fiji holi season called phaag gaaian phagan also written phalgan last month hindu calendar holi celebrated full moon phagan holi mark advent spring ripening crop northern india season romance excitement folk song dance also occasion playing powder perfume colour many holi song fiji around theme loverelationship radha krishna holi mauritius come close heel shivaratri celebrates beginning spring commemorating good harvest fertile land hindu believe time enjoying spring abundant colour saying farewell winter considered one exhilarating religious holiday existence event participant hold bonfire throw coloured powder celebrate wildly holi celebrated many u state mainly asian american particularly indian ancestry usually hosted hindu temple cultural hall member hindu association volunteer assist hosting event along temple devotee place known celebrate holi new brunswick nj spanish fork utah houston tx dallas tx south el monte ca milpitas ca mountain house ca tracy ca lathrop ca chicago il potomac md tampa fl sterling va boston indonesia indian indonesian balinese hindu people celebrate holi festival colour main celebration medan bali sometimes indian immigrant country may also celebrate smallscale version holi spring season weather change believed cause viral fever cold playful throwing natural coloured powder called gulal medicinal significance colour traditionally made palash neem kumkum haldi bilva medicinal herb suggested āyurvedic doctor many colour obtained mixing primary colour artisan produce sell many colour natural source dry powder form week month preceding holi traditional natural plantbased source colour orange red flower palash tesu tree also called flame forest typical source bright red deep orange colour powdered fragrant red sandalwood dried hibiscus flower madder tree radish pomegranate alternate source shade red mixing lime turmeric powder creates alternate source orange powder boiling saffron kesar water green mehendi dried leaf gulmohur tree offer source green colour area leaf spring crop herb used source green pigment yellow haldi turmeric powder typical source yellow colour sometimes mixed chickpea gram flour get right shade bael fruit amaltas specie chrysanthemum specie marigold alternate source yellow blue indigo plant indian berry specie grape blue hibiscus jacaranda flower traditional source blue colour holi magenta purple beetroot traditional source magenta purple colour often directly boiled water prepare coloured water brown dried tea leaf offer source brown coloured water certain clay alternate source brown black specie grape fruit amla gooseberry vegetable carbon charcoal offer grey black colour study found malachite green synthetic bluishgreen dye used colour holi festival responsible severe eye irritation delhi eye washed upon exposure though study found pigment penetrate cornea malachite green concern need study another study report colour produced sold india contain metalbased industrial dye causing increase skin problem people day following holi colour produced india particularly small informal business without quality check sold freely market colour sold without labelling consumer lack information source colour content possible toxic effect recent year several nongovernmental organisation started campaigning safe practice related use colour producing marketing range safer colour derived natural source vegetable flower report galvanised number group promoting natural celebration holi development alternative delhi clean india campaign kalpavriksh environment action group pune society child development avacayam cooperative campaign launched campaign help child learn make colour holi safer natural ingredient meanwhile commercial company national botanical research institute begun market herbal dye though substantially expensive dangerous alternative however may noted many part rural india always resorted natural colour part festivity colour due availability urban area people wear nose mask sunglass avoid inhaling pigment prevent chemical exposure eye alleged environmental issue related celebration holi traditional holika bonfire believed contribute deforestation according local tabloid bonfire burn every year holi fire burning approximately kilogram lb wood use heavy metalbased pigment holi also reported cause temporary wastewater pollution water system recovering prefestival level within day holi celebrated social event part united state example sri sri radha krishna temple spanish fork utah nyc holi hai manhattan new york festival color holi nyc new york city new york number holiinspired social event also surfaced particularly europe united state often organised company forprofit charity event paid admission varying scheduling coincide actual holi festival included holiinspired music festival festival colour tour holi one feature timed throw holi powder k run franchise color run holi run color rad participant doused powder perkilometre checkpoint bih color festival holiinspired electronic music festival held annually brčko bosnia herzegovina recent year school across australia also adopted holi inspired fund raising activity leverage fundraising platform australian fundraising school fun run colour frenzy go raise australia conduct event new zealand school also followed trend holi powder colour run fundraiser run local company go raise nz concern event appropriate trivialise aspect holi commercial gain—downplaying completely ignoring cultural spiritual root celebration organiser event argued cost cover various key aspect event safe colour powder safety security entertainment diwali lathmar holi kha bnisan – assyrian new year midsummer – holiday held close summer solstice nowruz – iranian new year marking march equinox songkran thailand – traditional thai new year holiday famous ritualised public water fight