Holi 2025: India's Distinct Holi Traditions, From Lathmar To Shigmo
Happy Holi 2025: Lathmar Holi in Uttar Pradesh, Rang Panchami in Maharashtra, Hola Mohalla in Punjab, Basanta Utsav in West Bengal, and Shigmo in Goa are some of the distinctive customs associated with Holi.
Ankush Pandey
Holi 2025: Colors, music, sweets, and endless fun—yes, we are discussing one of India's liveliest celebrations. According to Drik Panchang, the "Festival of Colors" will be observed on March 14 this year. In addition to enjoying traditional foods and sweets, people get together with their loved ones to throw colors during this festival.
Even though this is how most people celebrate, different Indian customs and traditions add even more significance to this festival. Let's examine how various regions of India celebrate Holi:
Lathmar To Shigmo: Here Are The Unique Holi Traditions Across India
Lathmar Holi
Uttar Pradesh has a unique custom known as Lathmar Holi. The story takes place in Barsana, which is Radha's birthplace. Women from Barsana playfully chase and hit men with sticks from Nandgaon, Krishna's village, during this celebration.
The purpose of this entertaining event is to replicate the lighthearted banter between Radha and Krishna. The festival is vibrant and full of life, which makes for a happy atmosphere.
Phoolon Ki Holi
Phoolon Ki Holi is another distinctive Uttar Pradesh custom that is observed in Vrindavan, the place where Lord Krishna was born. People toss fragrant flower petals in place of the typical colored powders.
Popular locations to witness this joyous custom are the Banke Bihari Temple and the ISKCON Temple.
Rang Panchami
Maharashtra celebrates Rang Panchami on the fifth day following the full moon. People get together with their loved ones during this time to dance to traditional rhythms and sing folk songs. They also paint one another and take pleasure in the festival's atmosphere.
Hola Mohalla
Hola Mohalla is a time when the Sikh community gathers to celebrate and show off their unity and strength in Punjab. The founder of this custom was Guru Gobind Singh. It includes colorful processions, martial arts demonstrations, and simulated combat. People come together to celebrate bravery and pride, demonstrating the Sikh culture's resilience and bravery.
Basanta Utsav
Celebrated in Shantiniketan, West Bengal, Basanta Utsav offers a distinctive interpretation of Holi. Dance, music, and poetry abound at the festival, which draws inspiration from Rabindranath Tagore. After dressing in yellow and orange, the students gather to sing Tagore's songs, do traditional dances, and then paint each other. With an emphasis on literature and culture, it is a creative and serene way to celebrate Holi.
Shigmo
To celebrate the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil, Goa celebrates Shigmo, a spring festival. It is one of Goa's largest festivals, and it is celebrated with dancing, music, and color-throwing. As traditional music is played on instruments like the dhol, taasha, and kale, the streets are crowded with grand parades.
