Originating way back to the times of Radha and Krishna, the
festival of color has found its way through the lanes of India to the streets
all over the world. While most of us know how Holi came into being and the
legendary story behind it, we are sure you will be surprised to see how Holi is
celebrated in the present day in India and all over the world.
Mathura and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh experience a month-long affair -, performers from all across the country enact the life of Lord Krishna. A 5-day celebration at Shri Bankebihari Temple in Vrindavan is the prime highlight of the city.Phoolon-ki-holi (flower holi) is played with tons of colorful and fresh flower petals.
In Barsana, Uttar Pradesh: Men in groups raid Barsana in order to stamp their superiority over a Radha temple. However, the ladies who enact gopis, greet the men with timber sticks or lathis. While men who are well padded, try not to get caught, women make sure that they hit the raiders with sticks, or at least capture them so that their plan to seize the temple is foiled. Popularly known as lath-maar holi.
Jaipur, celebrates the festival with a unique beauty contest of elephants and tug-of-war between them!
In Puruliya, West Bengal: The Shantiniketan Vasant festival started by Nobel laureate Rabrindranath Tagore is put together by the university students with cultural programs.
Imphal, Manipur witnesses a six-day celebration. Locals prepare a thatched hay-hut with twigs and sticks and then burn it. The next day, the boys make groups and play holi with the girls. The girls smartly extract money from the boys for playing colors with them! On the last day of festival, devotees take out cultural procession towards the main Krishna temple to the wast of Imphal.
Passing outside the streets of India, lets walk into Berlin, Germany - every year they celebrate Holi complete with Indian D.J’s, acrobatics and dance.
People throw colored powder in the air. France, U.K., Mexico, U.S.A and many other countries are not far behind to have embraced Holi.
Team Planet Aurangabad wishes you a Safe and
Happy Holi. Enjoy and have fun !
