Happy Holi...all Junoonians.

Holi is one of the major festival of India and is the most vibrant of all. The joys of Holi knows no bound. The festival is celebrated across the four corners of India or rather across the globe. The festival is filled with so much fun and frolic that the very mention of the word 'Holi' draws smile and enthusiasm amongst the people. Holi also celebrates the arrival of Spring, a season of joy and hope.

Legend of Holi Festival
Holi is one of the oldest festivals of India. There are many interesting stories associated with the festival's origin as one moves across the different states from North to South and East to West. Paintings and scriptures depict the roots of the festival. Mythology plays a very important part in narrating the festival of Holi. The most popular stories of Holi origin relates to 'Holika Dahan' and Legend of Radha-Krishan.

Story of Holika
Integrally entwined with Holi, is the tradition of 'Holika Dahan', which is actually lighting of bonfires. The ritual is symbolic of victory of good over evil and has its root in the legend of demon king Hiranyakashyap who wished to end his blessed son, Prahlad's life with the help of his sister, Holika who burnt in the fir and no harm occurred to Prahlad. Since then the day is celebrated in victory of good over bad.

Story of Radha and Krishan
The legend of Radha and Krishna is closely linked with this tradition of colors on Holi. Young Krishna, who had a dark complexion was jealous of his beloved Radha's extremely fair skin. In a mischievous mood, he applied color on Radha's face. Following this ancient legend, lovers till date long to color their beloved as an expression of love.

Holi Celebrations in India
Holi is famous as Basant Utsav in rural India. It is one of the major festivals in India and is celebrated with extreme enthusiasm and joy. Gulal, abeer and pichkaris are synonymous with the festival. Elaborate plans are made to color the loved ones. Everybody wants to be the first one to color the other. In the ensuing battle of colors, everybody is drowned not just in colors of gulal but also in love and mirth. People love to drench others and themselves in colored water. Gujiyas and other sweets are offered to everyone who comes across to color.

Temples are beautifully decorated at the time of Holi. Idol of Radha is placed on swings and devotees turn the swings singing devotional Holi songs. Now-a-days small plays are organized reflecting the spirit of the festival.

What is remarkably same across the country is the spirit of Holi. Fun, frolic, boisterousness to the extent of buffoonery marks this festival of colors. What more can be expected- when the people get a social sanction to get intoxicated on the bhang, open not just their hearts' out but also their lungs. And viola, nobody is expected to take offense too, as the norm of the day is, 'Bura na mano Holi hai' .


Holi in Andhra Pradesh
Though the celebrations of Holi in South India are not as grand as compared to that in North India. Yet, what is particularly noticeable in Andhra Pradesh as in other Dravidian states is the heightened feeling of communal harmony... more

Holi in Bengal
Their is a particular elan in the way Holi is celebrated in the state of Bengal. The panache is added by the presence of the rich Bengal culture and the existence of Shantiniketan... more

Holi in Bhil Tribes of North West India
The Bhils in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have their own special way to mark the festival. It is interesting to note that these tribes have retailed many of their pre-Hindu customs... more

Holi in Barsana
Holi of Barsana -a village, 42 kms away from Mathura, UP and the birthplace of Radha is of particular interest. Here, men from Nandgaon-the land of Krishna come to play Holi with the girls of Barsana... more

Holi in Bihar
The Holi is celebrated with the same fervour and charm in this state as in rest of north India. Here too, the legend of Holika is prevalent. On the eve of Phalgun Poornima, Biharis light bonfires... more

Holi in Delhi
Delhi being the capital and the heart of India, celebrates Holi with extreme enthusiasm - even to the extent of boisterousness.
Being a metro city, an amalgamation of cultures and traditions can be witnessed here... more

Holi in Goa
The energetic people of Goa do not lag behind the rest of the country when it comes to Holi celebrations. The festival of spring is called Shigmo in Goa. The festival is celebrated mostly by the masses following all religious traditions... more

Holi in Gujarat
The vibrant Gujarat reverberates with the chants of the folk song-'Govinda ala re, zara matki sambhal Brijbala..'. People, specially the youth of the state are high on the spirit of the festival... more

Holi in Haryana
Holi assumes an entirely new colour in this state and gets its new name, 'Dulandi Holi'... more

Holi in Himachal Pradesh
This festival is celebrated in much the same way as rest of North India. They light bonfires-fires called Holika which is symbolic of victory of good over evil... more

Holi in Madhya Pradesh
Revelry is no less in this state and same level of enthusiasm can be witness amongst the citizens of this state as in the rest of North... more

Holi in Maharashtra
Maharashtrians have their own grand style of celebrating Holi. Besides other things, not to be missed is their mouthwatering delicacy - Puranpoli... more

Holi in Manipur
It is interesting to note how Holi is celebrated in this part of the country. Here, the festivities continue for six days starting on the full moon day of Phalguna... more

Holi in Mathura-Vrindavan
People from all corners of India, rather, world gather here every year to feel the essence of Holi in the land of Krishna... more

Holi in Orissa
The tradition followed in Orissa is quite similar to that of Bengal with only minor region specific changes... more

Holi in Punjab
Known for their love for life, Sikhs celebrate Holi in their own style and elan. Here, they call it 'Hola Mohalla'.... more

Holi in Rajasthan
This colourful state plays Holi much the same way as Mathura. The night before the full moon, crowds of people gather together and light huge bonfires to burn the residual dried leaves and twigs of the winter... more

Holi in Uttar Pradesh
Celebrations in UP are not just restricted to Mathura and Vrindavan. Rather, every nook and corner of the state gets wrapped in the multitude hues of the Holi... more

Holi in Tamil Nadu
The Tamilians celebrate Holi around the legend of Kama Deva. On this day, songs are sung that tell the pathetic tale of Rati and her lamentations... more