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Holi, the festival of colours is celebrated across India and many parts of the world in March. While Holi can be experienced across almost whole of India, in different forms, Native Planet brings you a guide for the popular Holi festival events in India.
Holi is an ancient Hindu festival which celebrates the triumph of good over evil. According to legend, Lord Vishnu killed the demoness Hollika who tried to kill his devotee, Prahlada, the son of the demon king, Hiranyakashipu. The symbolic bonfire of burning Holika is today known as hollika dahan and the day after that is called Holi. The festival marks the end of winter and the advent of spring and harvesting season. Holi finds mention in ancient Indian texts like the Puranas and Dasakumara Charita by the poet Kalidasa during the 4th century.
Holi festivities take place in most parts of India with people smearing coloured powder and sprinkling coloured water over each other. Although, the festival can be observed across India, here are our recommendations about the popular holi festival events in india.
Lath mar Holi in Barsana
Indian men are on the receiving end at this Holi celebration in Barsana village, Uttar pradesh where women of Barsana village beat up the men of the neighbouring Nandgaon village.
Lath mar Holi in Barsana
According to legend, Lord Krishna visited this village to play and tease with his beloved Radha and her friends. However, the women of the village took offence at this and drove him away. Since then it is a custom for men from Nandgaon, Krishna's village, to visit Barsana, on Holi, and tease and play with the women. The women try to beat up the men with sticks and the men try to protect themselves using shields.
Badshah Ki Sawaari, Rajasthan
At Beawar, Rajasthan, a medieval practice instituted by the Mughal emperor Akbar, is re-enacted every Holi. Impressed with Raja Todarmal, one of the nine gems of his court, Akbar, made Todarmal emperor for a day. On this day, Raja Todarmal went around distributing sweets and money. This scene is re-enacted in the from of a procession today which draws thousands of people irrespective of their religous beliefs.
Pic Credit: greeno777
Kora mar Holi
Rajasthan's answer to Barsana, men who throw coloured water or powder on women are whipped. The women go to it with great gusto and the men enjoy it too.
Mathura
Lord Krishna was born in Mathura and he spent his childhood in Vrindaban. Holi celebrations get underway here 40 days before the main Holi is celebrated.
Vrindavan
The celebrations in the temple of Sri Krishna Janamasthan and Bake Bihari temple are famous.
Holi in Jaipur
If you are in Jaipur during Holi, be sure not to miss the Elephant festival. The sheer amount of jewelry and colours adorning the elephants that parade the streets on Holi is a sight to behold.
Holi outside India
Over the years, Holi has become increasingingly popular in South East Asian Countries and also European countries with an Indian population. Thus, it is being celebrated outside too.
Holi outside India
American Universities Like University of North Carolina and University of Utah witness large scale Holi celebrations across its student community
