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Hooli is an ancient festival of India and was originally known as ‘Holika’. The festivals finds a detailed description in early religious works such as Jaimini’s Purvamimamsa-Sutras and Kathaka-Grhya-Sutras. Historians also believe that Hooli was celebrated by all Aryans but more so in the Eastern part of India.

It is said that Hooli existed several centuries before Christ. However, the meaning of the festival is believed to have changed over the years. Earlier it was a special rite performed by married women for the happiness and well-being of their families and the full moon (Raka) was worshiped.

Calculating the Day of Hooli

There are two ways of reckoning a lunar month- ‘purnimanta’ and ‘amanta’. In the former, the first day starts after the full moon; and in the latter, after the new moon. Though the amanta reckoning is more common now, the purnimanta was very much in vogue in the earlier days.

According to this purnimanta reckoning, Phalguna purnima was the last day of the year and the new year heralding the Vasantha-ritu (with spring starting from next day). Thus the full moon festival of Holika gradually became a festival of merrymaking, announcing the commencement of the spring season. This perhaps explains the other names of this festival – Vasantha-Mahotsava and Kama-Mahotsava.

Reference in Ancient Texts and Inscriptions

Besides having a detailed description in the Vedas and Puranas such as Narad Purana and Bhavishya Purana, the festival of Hooli finds a mention in Jaimini Mimansa. A stone incription belonging to 300 BC found at Ramgarh in the province of Vindhya has mention of Holikotsav on it. King Harsha, too has mentioned about holikotsav in his work Ratnavali that was written during the 7th century.

The famous Muslim tourist – Ulbaruni too has mentioned about holikotsav in his historical memories. Other Muslim writers of that period have mentioned, that holikotsav were not only celebrated by the Hindus but also by the Muslims.

Reference in Ancient Paintings and Murals

The festival of Hooli also finds a reference in the sculptures on walls of old temples. A 16th century panel sculpted in a temple at Hampi, capital of Vijayanagar, shows a joyous scene of Hooli. The painting depicts a Prince and his Princess standing amidst maids waiting with syringes or pichkaris to drench the Royal couple in coloured water.

A 16th century Ahmednagar painting is on the theme of Vasanta Ragini – spring song or music. It shows a royal couple sitting on a grand swing, while maidens are playing music and spraying colours with pichkaris.

There are a lot of other paintings and murals in the temples of medieval India which provide a pictoral description of Hooli. For instance, a Mewar painting (circa 1755) shows the Maharana with his courtiers. While the ruler is bestowing gifts on some people, a merry dance is on, and in the center is a tank filled with coloured water. Also, a Bundi miniature shows a king seated on a tusker and from a balcony above some damsels are showering gulal (coloured powders) on him.

Legends and Mythology

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In some parts of India, specially in Bengal and Odisha, Hooli Purnima is also celebrated as the birthday of Shri Chaithanya Mahaprabhu (A.D. 1486-1533). However, the literal meaning of the word ‘Hooli’ is ‘burning’. There are various legends to explain the meaning of this word, most prominent of all is the legend associated with demon king Hiranyakashyap.

Hiranyakashyap wanted everybody in his kingdom to worship only him but to his great disappointment, his son, Prahlad became an ardent devotee of Lord Naarayana. Hiaranyakashyap commanded his sister, Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap. Holika had a boon whereby she could enter fire without any damage on herself. However, she was not aware that the boon worked only when she enters the fire alone. As a result she paid a price for her sinister desires, while Prahlad was saved by the grace of the god for his extreme devotion. The festival, therefore, celebrates the victory of good over evil and also the triumph of devotion.

Legend of Lord Krishna is also associated with play with colours as the Lord started the tradition of play with colours by applying colour on his beloved Radha and other gopis. Gradually, the play gained popularity with the people and became a tradition.

There are also a few other legends associated with the festival – like the legend of Shiva and Kaamadeva and those of Ogress Dhundhi and Pootana. All depict triumph of good over evil – lending a philosophy to the festival.

The festival of colours observed in India where everyone rejoices equally is none other than Hooli. On this day, people forget their normal day to day life, and play with vibrant colours, adding life and happiness to their own as well as other’s lives. Hooli marks the advent of Spring after a harsh winter. It is celebrated on the full moon night of the month of Phalgun as per the Indian Calendars.

It is not only celebrated by playing with colours, but people also make awesome dishes, especially sweets. And ‘Bhaang’ is the famous drink for this occasion which after drinking, makes people enjoy the festival even more. The whole essence of Hooli marks the air with vibrancy and joy. The roads are filled with colour and so are the people. It is one of the festivals, that is celebrated with the sole purpose of having fun.

History Behind Hooli:

It is said that Lord Krishna when he was young went to his mother and asked, why was he dusky while his lover Radha remained fair skinned. His mother, Yasodha Maa, in return asked him to go to Radha and apply colour on her so that there wouldn’t be any more colour contrast between them. This was followed and from then, the festival of applying colours on each other began as Hooli.

Holi begins by observing Holika Dahan. The story behind Holika Dahan is another interesting one.

According to the Puranas, the king of demons, Hiranyakashyap (the king of the demons) saw that his son Prahlad became a devotee of Lord Vishnu. This angered him a lot. As a means of punishment for his son, he asked Holika, his sister to sit on fire with his son in her lap. Supposedly, Holika was blessed that she wouldn’t be harmed by fire. But the events that occurred were quite the opposite. Holika was burnt to ashes while Prahlad emerged out unharmed. So, while remembering this day, Holika Dahan is observed. The best muhurant for Holika Dahan would be during the Pradosh time of Poornima.

It is commonly observed nowadays by burning of an effigy that marks the destruction of evil and preservation of goodness.

After that, people celebrate Hooli by applying colours on others, sometimes gulal is used, and sometimes gulal mixed with water are either poured down from a bucket or sprayed using a water gun.

Hooli is celebrated for wishing a good and prosperous life ahead. Like any Hindu festival, it has great significance in the way of life. Marking the beginning of spring after winter is like a promise for a better fruitful year ahead.

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In spite of being such a colourful and gay festival, there are various aspects of Hooli which makes it so significant for our lives. Though they might not be so apparent but a closer look and a little thought will reveal the significance of Hooli in more ways than meets the eyes. Ranging from socio-cultural, religious to biological there is every reason why we must heartily enjoy the festival and cherish the reasons for its celebrations.

So when, its time for Hooli, please don’t hold yourself back and enjoy the festival to the hilt by participating with full enthusiasm in every small tradition related to the festival.

Mythological Significance

Hooli gets us close to our religion and our mythology as it is essentially the celebration of various legends associated with the festival.

Foremost is the legend of Prahlad and Hiranyakshyap. The legend says there once lived a devil and powerful king, Hiranyakshyap who considered himself a god and wanted everybody to worship him. To his great ire, his son, Prahlad began to worship, Lord Vishnu. To get rid of his son, Hiranyakshyap asked his sister, Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap, as she had a boon to enter fire unscathed. Legend has it that Prahlad was saved for his extreme devotion for the lord while Holika paid a price for her sinister desire. The tradition of burning Holika or the ‘Holika dahan’ comes mainly from this legend.

Hooli also celebrates the legend of Radha and Krishna which describes the extreme delight, Krishna took in applying colour on Radha and other gopis. This prank of Krishna later, became a trend and a part of the Hooli festivities.

Mythology also states that Hooli is the celebration of death of Ogress Pootana who tried to kill infant, Krishna by feeding poisonous milk to it.

Another legend of Hooli which is extremely popular in Southern India is that of Lord Shiva and Kaamadeva. According to the legend, people in south celebrate the sacrifice of Lord of Passion Kaamadeva who risked his life to revoke Lord Shiva from meditation and save the world.

Also, popular is the legend of Ogress Dhundhi who used to trouble children in the kingdom of Raghu and was ultimately chased away by the pranks of the children on the day of Hooli. Showing their belief in the legend, children till date play pranks and hurl abuses at the time of Holika Dahan.

Cultural Significance

Celebration of the various legends associated with Hooli reassure the people of the power of the truth as the moral of all these legends is the ultimate victory of good over evil. The legend of Hiranyakashyap and Prahlad also points to the fact that extreme devotion to god pays as god always takes his true devotee in his shelter.

All these legends help the people to follow a good conduct in their lives and believe in the virtue of being truthful. This is extremely important in the modern day society when so many people resort to evil practices for small gains and torture one who is honest. Hooli helps the people to believe in the virtue of being truthful and honest and also to fight away the evil.

Besides, hooli is celebrated at a time of the year when the fields are in full bloom and people are expecting a good harvest. This gives a people a good reason to rejoice, make merry and submerge themselves in the spirit of Hooli.

Social Significance

Hooli helps to bring the society together and strengthen the secular fabric of our country. For, the festival is celebrated by non-Hindus also as everybody like to be a part of such a colourful and joyous festival.
Also, the tradition of the Hooli is that even the enemies turn friends on Hooli and forget any feeling of hardship that may be present. Besides, on this day people do not differentiate between the rich and poor and everybody celebrate the festival together with a spirit of bonhomie and brotherhood.
In the evening people visit friends and relatives and exchange gifts, sweets and greetings. This helps in revatalising relationships and strengthening emotional bonds between people.

Biological Significance

It is interesting to note that the festival of Hooli is significant for our lives and body in many other ways than providing joy and fun.

We also need to thank our forefathers who started the trend of celebrating Hooli at such a scientifically accurate time. And, also for incorporating so much fun in the festival.

As Hooli comes at a time of the year when people have a tendency to feel sleepy and lazy. This is natural for the body to experiences some tardiness due to the change from the cold to the heat in the atmosphere. To counteract this tardiness of the body, people sing loudly or even speak loudly. Their movements are brisk and their music is loud. All of this helps to rejuvenate the system of the human body.

Besides, the colours when sprayed on the body have a great impact on it. Biologists believe the liquid dye or Abeer penetrates the body and enters into the pores. It has the effect of strengthening the ions in the body and adds health and beauty to it.

There is yet another scientific reason for celebrating the Hooli, this however pertains to the tradition of Holika Dahan. The mutation period of winter and spring, induces the growth of bacteria in the atmosphere as well as in the body. When Holika is burnt, temperature rises to about 145 degrees Fahrenhiet. Following the tradition when people perform Parikrima (circumambulation or going around) around the fire, the heat from the fire kills the bacteria in the body thus, cleansing it.

The way Hooli is celebrated in south, the festival also promotes good health. For, the day after the burning of Holika people put ash (Vibhuti) on their forehead and they would mix Chandan (sandalpaste) with the young leaves and flowers of the Mango tree and consume it to promote good health.

Some also believe that play with colours help to promote good health as colours are said to have great impact on our body and our health. Western-Physicians and doctors believe that for a healthy body, colours too have an important place besides the other vital elements. Deficiency of a particular colour in our body causes ailment, which can be cured only after supplementing the body with that particular colour.

People also clean-up their houses on Hooli which helps in clearing up the dust and mess in the house and get rid of mosquitoes and others pests. A clean house generally makes the residents feel good and generate positive energies.

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6. Hooli Puja Process

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7. Rituals of Hooli

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Thandai is embedded with the tradition of Hooli. A refreshing and healthful drink thandai is savoured in the midst of the play of colours when people become a little exhausted throwing each other in the pool of coloured waters. A glass of Thandai offers instant energy and sets the mood for playing with colour. Besides, when laced with the intoxicating bhang it can make one sing, dance and go wild. Infact, bhang thandai is used as a mood setter for the festival of Hooli.

Hub of Thandai

The tradition of thandai is particularly prevalent in North India. Banaras (now Varanasi) is called the hub for thandai. This is so as Banarasis are said to have a passion for milk-based drinks and of all the drinks thandai is said to be their specialty.

Making of Thandai

Thandai is a cooling drink usually made of purified water, sugar, seeds of watermelon and muskmelon, almonds, lotus stem seeds, cashew nut, cardamom, saunf, rose-flower, white pepper, saffron and the very intoxicating bhang.

After Effects

A spoon of bhang in the thandai makes a world of a difference. Bhang is mixed with milk, ice and cream and added to the thandai to produce a kick. While some become deliriously happy others turn as depressed as hell. Caution is needed when taking a bhang thandai as overdose might not be prove to be good.

Drinking thandai in Hooli also gels with the weather as in North temperature runs high at that time and thandai is a coolant. Although home-made thandais always tastes better, in Banaras and elsewhere in India, it is now possible to buy commercial concentrates and make instant thandais.

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Hooli Thandai 2 ways

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Associated with Lord Shiva, bhang has now become synonymous with hooli. To the extent that bhang drinks have now become an official Hooli drink.

Culled from the leaves and buds of cannabis – the very intoxicating bhang helps to escalate the spirit of hooli – a festival which does not recognise any restrictions. Lip smacking thandai, pakoras and vadas, all having bhang as a very essential ingredient, are savoured by all on the day.

Bhang Preparations in Banaras

The tradition of consuming bhang on hooli is particularly rampant in North India where hooli itself is celebrated with a gusto unseen anywhere else.

But, the hub of bhang is Varanasi or Banaras, the land of Shiva worship, where bhang is prepared on its famous ghats.

Anywhere on the ghats one can find large number of men engaged in the process of preparing bhang. Using mortar and a pestle, the buds and leaves of Cannabis are squashed and ground into a green paste. To this mixture milk, ghee, and spices are added. The bhang base is now ready to be made into a nutritious, refreshing drink – Thandai, a healthy alternative to alcohol. Bhang is also mixed with ghee and sugar to make a tasty green halva, and into peppery, chewy little balls called ‘golees’.

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A Brief History of Bhang

Bhang was first used as an intoxicant in India around 1000 BC and soon became an integral part of Hindu culture. In the ancient text Artharvaveda, Bhang is described as a beneficial herb that “releases anxiety”. Bhang preparations were sacred to Gods, particularly Shiva. One of Shiva’s epithets was “Lord of Bhang” as he is said to have discovered the transcendental properties of the mixture.

In imitation of Shiva, many sadhus use Bhang to boost meditation and achieve transcendental states. Besides, Bhang or cannabis is also believed to be popular amongst Sufis as an aid to spiritual ecstasy since a long time.

Bond with the Bhang

Ancient as it is, bhang has become a inseparable part of Indian tradition. So much so that it has become symbolic for a lot of things. They might be, or rather they are, pure superstitious believes. But if one understands the inherent sentimental and emotional nature of Indians, one can very easily feel the emotional bond people have with bhang.

Associated with Lord Shiva, hemp plant is regarded holy by the Hindus. There is even a belief that to meet someone carrying bhang is an omen of success. And, if longing for hemp plant foretells happiness, to see it in dreams ensures prosperity for a person in future. Also, walking underfoot a holy bhang leaf spells doom for a person.

People also strongly believe in the medicinal properties of the hemp plant. If taken in proper quantity bhang cures fever, dysentery and sunstroke. It helps to clear phlegm, quicken digestion, sharpen appetite, cure speak imperfection and lispering. Besides, it freshens the intellect and gives alertness to the body and gaiety to the mind.

What is bhang?

Cannabis Rank: Genus

Genus of three closely related species, often hybridised.

Cannabis is dioecious, i.e. individual plants are either male or female. The female plant is the more potent, especially when unpollinated (hence sinsemilla = without seed).

The plant has an ancient relationship with humankind, and has long been cultivated as a source of medicine (the buds), fiber (the stalks), and food (the seeds). It has been found in neolithic Chinese archaeological sites, and is mentioned in the earliest Chinese pharmacopoeias. In India it is associated with Shiva and has played an important role in religious life as a sacred inebriant.

Botanical Suffix: Linnaeus
Habitat: Native to Central Asia, now found worldwide.
Isolated Chemicals: THC Concentration varies greatly by strain.

Hooli Mela infuse vibrancy and enthusiasm amongst people in India and abroad. Large number of tourists are attracted towards these grand affair of Hooli celebration. Hooli fairs are more popular in villages than they are in cities. People from far off villages specially move down to the village holding the Hooli Fair a week before the festival. Hooli Mela serves as a full entertainment package for young children and elders. One can visualise the craze and love to celebrate the colourful festival with these Hooli fairs.

Excitement for Hooli Mela

Excitement for Hooli Mela is palpable amongst the visitors. Their broad smile, garish clothes and enthusiasm says it all. Hooli Mela hold much importance for people who live far from their families. Hooli Mela showcase the best of Indian culture and Hooli celebrations, that’s why most of the people living far off take out time to be attend Hooli fair.

Grand Hooli Melas are usually organised in villages which has a special cultural and traditional touch to it. People from India and other countries come to celebrate the colourful festival of Hooli by visiting special Hooli Melas.

But apart from serving as the source of entertainment Hooli Mela play a significant role of bringing people together. During these fairs people come closer and renew relationships. Hooli fairs help children to understand their religion and the festival in the most joyous manner. In several Hooli Fairs, competitions for children are also organised to attract the kids and bring out their latent talent.

Hooli Mela – Splash of Colours and Fun

Hooli Mela is becoming an ideal option for people who want to spend Hooli in a different and more colourful way. People enthusiastically visit these fairs to enjoy the Hooli Festival. Colour is the main theme of the Hooli fair. Every where one can see fragrant colours either kept in thalis or gunny bags. Even shopkeepers are seen with painted faces and hands to create the perfect aura of Hooli Festival. People also smear each others’ faces with a little bit of gulal and abeer.

Different stalls lined up at the fair are also based on some or the other Hooli theme. A separate section for Hooli dance and songs is created where artists from various places come and entertain people. Magic and puppet shows based on various themes drew maximum attention of the visitors especially kids. Large food sections including variety of special Hooli sweets and other dishes is too difficult for the visitors to resist. People love to taste the traditional Hooli sweets like gujiya and malpuas. Besides, stalls of traditional clothes, Hooli toys for kids and jewelry, there are special shops selling beautiful earthen pots indicating the advent of summer. Shops like those of handcrafted items attract a large number of foreign visitors. Main attraction of the Hooli Mela are the traditional drinks of Bhaang and Thandai. People present in the Hooli fair love to taste the traditional drink and enjoy the excitement of Hooli.

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An excellent collection of popular

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Hooli Bhajans are available on this page that are enough to complete the festive feeling of Hooli. Pass these bhajans to all hooli lovers and make the festival more colourful and nostalgic. Send this wonderful collection of Hooli Bhajans to your friend and family to add to the celebration.

Nandi kese khele anokhi hooli sham ke
Hooli khelan aayo sham
Ya ne esso chatak
Raseya ko nari banayo re
Hari khelan faag
Mohe chhedo na

Hooli Bhajans

Nandi kese khele anokhi hooli sham ke

Nandi kese khele anokhi hooli sham ke
Ya hari me kho gayi re mere payal pav ke
Avhi nayi gadahi mene bahutak dam ke
Nandi kese khele ………………
Dhum sahi na jaye sakhi re aado sham ke
Harmat laag jaye esse hooli kaya kaam ke
Nandi kese khele ………………
Rese bahut hai buri sakhi re, gokul gavo ke
Rag dale chap lagaye, apne naam ke
Nandi kese khele ………………
Yah hari hai ajar amar, govardan dham ke
Mitre mandle khush rahi, sab har naye saal ke
Nandi kese khele ………………

Hooli khelan aayo sham
Hooli khelan aayo sham aaj is rag me bhori re
Kore kore kalash mage, va me keshar ghore re
Rag berage karo aaj kare te goro re
Hooli khelan aayo sham …………..
Pas padose bulaye yahi, aagan me ghoro re
Pitambar levo chin aaye, pahirav dev chori re
Hooli khelan aayo sham …………..
Hare bais ke basureya yaki tode marode re
Tare de de ya nachavo, apne aaro re
Hooli khelan aayo sham ……………
Chand sakhi ke yahi vinte, kare nihore re
Haha khaye pare jab peya, tab yeh chodo re
Hooli khelan aayo sham ……………

Ya ne esso chatak
Mere chunri me lag gaye daag re, ya ne esso chatak rag daalo
Aoran to hooli naye khelo, ya ki mohe se lag gayi laag re
Ya ne esso chatak ……………..
Mohu to ketni varaj sundri, ye to mohe se khele faag re
Mere chunriya esse kori, par raseya ne esse bhore
Ab kese chutego ya ko daag re, ya ne esso chatak ……………..

Raseya ko nari banayo re
Raseya ko nari banayo re, raseya ko nari banayo re
Gaal gulal dugan me anjan, vedeh bhal lagayo re
Kati lehga gal mahi kanchuki, chunri shish aothavo re
Narayan kartari bajaye ke, pashu mati nekat nachavo re
Raseya ko nari banayo re …………………………….

Hari khelan faag
Hari khelan faag, machi hooli
Madh utre ritu fagun aayo, ghar ghar sham karat feri
Fhek gulal haat pichkari, kesar pit surag wali
Bharma khele mahadev khele, surpati khele var jori
Surdas chavi dekh magan bhaye, hari ke charan lage dori
Hari khelan faag ……………….

Mohe chhedo na
Mohe chhedo na, O mohe chhedo na nand ke lala
Ki main hi brij bala, Nahi main radha teri

Kahe pakad li meri kalai, Teri duhai o krishna kanahi
Kahe pakad li meri kalai, Teri duhai krishna kanahi
Harzai too bansi wala, Ki main hoon brij bala
Nahi main radha teri, Mohe chhedo na nand ke lala……….

Radha se hogi teri chhichholi, Aankh micholi tum humjoli
Hooli main yoon mujhe kyon rang dala, Ki main hoon brij bala
Nahi main radha teri, Mohe chhedo na nand ke lala………

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Here are a few tips and suggestion to make your hooli safe and joyous.

• Play safe. Don’t get to boisterous and do not let others to be rude on you.
• The best option would be to play with natural home made colours. Your skin and hair will feel tampered with the use of skin friendly natural products.
• If natural colours are not possible, then ensure a better quality of colours. Buy colours from a reputed shop or vendor.
• Use more of red or pink colours which looks good and can easily taken off. Gaudy purple, green, yellow, orange have more harmful chemicals in them and should be avoided.
• Make sure that your face is well creamed before and after the play.
• Apply thick coating of paint on your nails- both in fingers and toes so that they remain protected.
• Oil your hair well, so that colour doesn’t stick on your hair and can be washed off easily later.
• Cover your hair. Make use of hat or caps to protect your hair from being coloured with hard-to-rinse dyes.
• Make sure that powder or any other product does not get inside your eyes. Eyes are extremely vulnerable on Hooli because of their strategic place in body and also because of the use of harmful chemicals in colours these days. Please ensure that your eyes remain protected at all times. Use a sunglass to protect your eyes from a misfire of colour filled darts or water jets.
• Use dental caps to save your teeth from any unwanted stains.
• Put on your worst clothes so that you won’t have to take on the hassles of an immediate washing.
• Rags like tattered denims and bright shades like black, blue, green, purple are highly recommended.
• Try to save yourself off from all possible attacks on the face. In case your such attempts fail, keep your eyes and lips tightly shut if you are attacked on your face.
• If possible avoid going outside your home, atleast for the peak hours of celebration. The premises of your home ensure that you are safe from pouncing hooligans, even friends who can be a little rough on the day.
• When traveling keep the car windows thoroughly shut, even if you don’t have an AC car. Do not bump into the frensied group of mob if you take to streets. Better you cross the road to the sidewalk across. Or, simply stay at a safe distance.
• Do not use permanent dyes. If someone has applied it on you, do not rub the face with soap immediately in order to get rid off it, especially when it is wet. Instead, use good quality cleansing milk for removal. It’s better than using soap, which will dry up your skin.
• Rotten eggs when thrown on your head, flying missiles from locality buildings…are still not too bad, will be smelly yet is a good conditioner for your hair. But tar, shit, Mobil, stones and all the rubbish that you can be hit with is not. Avoid being a prey to hooligans.
• Remember you also have police on your side and if any untoward revelers misbehave, you can make your complaint. Mark out the locality, building and if possible the person.
• Take a bath much later after the entire Hooli celebration is over. Taking frequent baths, washing the face again and again, will ruin your skin. You will also lose hair, for too much soap/shampoo has a drying effect.
• If you are prone to skin allergies, avoid playing with gulal altogether. Going to a dermatologist (skin specialist) serves no purpose, after the damage is done.
• Avoid running on jumping on wet floors, so that you don’t slip and injure yourself. Bones are specially vulnerable on this day.
• Avoid over indulgence in bhang, drinks or food… so that you don’t repent later.
• Do not drive if you are high on alcohol or bhang.
• Keep handy pain killers, anti-oxidants, anti-allergic tablets if all the above tips have been disregarded.

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Popularity of Hooli can be gauged from the number of names Hooli has in different states. Also of great interest is the story behind each of these names.

As one moves across from one state to another, one can surely discover the myriad shades of human emotions behind the story that goes with each of these names of hooli.

These stories will make you feel proud of the rich cultural diversity of India. Besides, what is to be appreciated is the underlying strong bond of unity that binds this uniquely culturally diverse country.

Even the Gods that are worshiped on Hooli differ in different corners of the country. The way the festival is celebrated also differs but the spirit is same – the one of love and brotherhood. Inspite of their uniqueness in different states, the festival is considered to be the one which enhances the secular fabric of India.

Let us now unravel the traditions of Hooli by learning the story behind the different names of Hooli:

• Lathmaar Hooli
• Dulandi Hooli
• Rangpanchami
• Basant Utsav
• Dol Purnima
• Hola Mohalla
• Shimgo
• Kaman Pandigai
• Phagu Purnima

In what is known as the hub of hooli in India – Barsana, Hooli is known as Lathmaar Hooli. Sounds violence?? There is more violece than the name signals off. The stick is in the hands of the women on this day and the men need to work a lot to save themselves from the immensely charged up womenfolk.

The birth place of Lord Krishna’s beloved Radha, Barsana celebrates Hooli with extreme enthusiasm as Krishna was famous for playing pranks on Radha and gopis. In fact, it was Krishna who started the tradition of colours by first applying colour on Radha’s face.

Womenfolk, of Barsana it seems, after thousands of centuries want to take a sweet revenge of that prank of Krishna. Even men have not left their mischief and are still eager to apply colour on the women of Barsana.

Following the tradition, men of Nandgaon, the birthplace of Krishna, come to play Hooli with the girls of Barsana, but instead of colours they are greeted with sticks.

Completely aware of what welcome awaits them in Barsana, men come fully padded and try their best to escape from the spirited women. Men are not supposed to retaliate on the day. The unlucky ones are forcefully led away and get a good thrashing from the women. Further, they are made to wear a female attire and dance in public. All in the spirit of Hooli.

The next day, it is the turn of men of Barsana. They reciprocate by invading Nandgaon and drench the womenfolk of Nandgaon in colours of kesudo, naturally occurring orange-red dye and palash. This day, women of Nadagow beat the invaders from Barsana. It is a colourful site.

Dulandi Hooli

Hooli is one of the major festival of the vast country, called India. No wonder, a number of traditions, customs and festivals have cropped up around this very important festival.

As the culture and language changes from one state to the other, nature, significance and the way these festivals related to Hooli are celebrated also varies a lot. While in the state of Rajasthan women take the lead, men in Punjab have grabbed the festival as an opportunity to display their bravery and dare-devil skills. On the other hand, quiet and peace loving people of West Bengal celebrate the occasion in a dignified and charming fashion.

Gangaur is an extremely important festival of Rajasthan. It commences on the day following Hooli and continues for 18 days. The festival is celebrated by womenfolk with great enthusiasm and devotion for Gauri, the consort of Lord Shiva. While married women worship Gauri, the embodiment of perfection and conjugal love for the success of their married life, unmarried women worship the Goddess for being blessed with good husband. Gangaur Festival also celebrates monsoon, harvest and marital fidelity.

Rituals of Gangaur Festival

The first important ritual of the colourful festival of Gangaur is the collection of ashes from the Hooli fire and burying of wheat and barley seeds in it. These seeds are the religiously watered every day until the germination takes place. The ritual is performed with songs of Isar and Gauri (Shiva and Parvati) and the varying of pots of water on the head.

A week after Hooli, women make clay images of Gauri and Isar. The ritual is made colourful and joyous with the traditional folk songs sung in praise of Gauri.

On the evening of the seventh day after Hooli, unmarried girls take out a parade with ghudlia and singing songs related to it. Ghudlia is an earthen pot with holes around and a lamp inside. On their way, the girls are gifted small presents like sweets, jaggery, ghee, oil and a little cash. The ritual continues for ten days, upto the conclusion of the Gangaur Festival. On the last day girls break their pots and throw the remains into a well or a tank and enjoy a fest with their little collections.

However, Gangaur Festival celebrations reaches its peak during the last three days of the festival. At this time women take special care to decorate themselves and also the clay images that they had prepared. At an auspicious hour in the afternoon, a procession is taken out to a garden, tank or a well with the images of Isar and Gauri, placed on the heads of married women.

Gangaur aptly reflects the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan and is celebrated with great pomp and show in Bikaner, Jodhpur, Marathwara and Jaisalmer. Gangaur Festival is also observed at some places in Gujarat.

Dolyatra

The festival of Dolyatra is celebrated with pomp and dignity in the state of West Bengal. It is essentially a festival of colours, just as Hooli is but the way it is celebrated makes it different from Hooli as witnessed in rest of India.

What makes, Dolyatra so special in West Bengal is the fact that it is the last festival of Bengali Year. The festival is being celebrated since ancient times. It celebrates the legend of Radha and Krishna which says that Lord Krishna expressed his love to her beloved Radha on the day of Dolyatra.

Celebrations

Before starting with celebrations, people worship Radha and Krishna on this day. In some places special pujas and bhajans are also organsed. Once the ceremony gets over people indulge in play with colours.

Colour powder is popularly known as ‘phag’ in Bengal. Shops remain closed on the day and people get all the time to drown themselves in the spirit of the festival. Following the tradition young people start the festival by applying phag on the pictures of the deceased in the family and then on the feet of the elders as a mark of respect. The elders bless them by applying colour on the faces. After this, phag is applied on anybody and everybody.

‘Dol Jatra’, ‘Dol Purnima’ or the ‘Swing Festival’ as Dol Yatra is then celebrated in a dignified manner by placing the idols of Krishna and Radha on a picturesquely decorated palanquin which is then taken round the main streets of the city. The devotees take turns to swing them while women dance around the swing and sing devotional songs. All this while men keep spraying coloured water and colour powder, ‘abeer’ at them.

Basant Utsav

Hooli by the name of Basant Utsav is celebrated with fervour in the state of West Bengal. The tradition of Vasantotsav, meaning Spring Festival was started by poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore at Shantiniketan, the University he founded.

What is appreciated is the grace and diginified manner in which Vasant Utsav is celebrated in West Bengal as compared to boisterous Hooli witnessed in most parts of India. Boys and girls joyfully welcome Spring, the season of hope not just with colours but with songs, dance, chanting of hymns in the serene ambiance of Shantiniketan. Anybody who got a chance to witness this elegant way of celebrating Hooli in Bengal remembers it with fond memory for the rest of his life.

Hola Mohalla

Hooli gets this joyful name in the state of Punjab. The festival is celebrated in an entirely different manner, it’s meaning and significance also shifts a little here.

Hola Mohalla is actually an annual fair that is organised in a large scale at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab on the day following the festival of Hooli. Practise of holding a fair of this kind was initiated by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh guru. Purpose of the fair was to physically strengthen the Sikh community by holding military exercises and mock battles.

The festival is celebrated for three consecutive days, in which members of Sikh community display their physical strength by performing dare-devil acts like bareback horse-riding, standing erect on two speeding horses, Gatka (mock encounters), tent pegging etc. This is followed by music and poetry competition to lighten the charged up atmosphere.

A number of durbars are also held where Sri Guru Granth Sahib is present and kirtan and religious lectures take place. This helps strengthening the soul of community. On the last day a long procession, led by Panj Pyaras, starts from Takth Keshgarh Sahib, one of the five Sikh religious seats, and passes through various important gurdwaras like Qila Anandgarh, Lohgarh Sahib, Mata Jitoji and terminates at the Takth.

For people visiting Anandpur Sahib, langars (voluntary community kitchens) are organised by the local people as a part of sewa (community service). Raw materials like wheat flour, rice, vegetables, milk and sugar is provided by the villagers living nearby. Women volunteer to cook and others take part in cleaning the utensils. Traditional cuisine is served to the pilgrims who eat while sitting in rows on the ground.

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