The festival of Holi is celebrated on the day after the full moon in early March every year. As the brief spring warms the landscape, northern India cuts loose for a day of hijinx and general hilarity. It can be said that �Holi� festival is called a bright festival as a wide range of bright colors is used during it. The people believe that the bright colors represent energy, life, and joy.
Originally a festival to celebrate good harvests and fertility of the land, this exuberant festival is also associated with the immortal love of Krishna and Radha, and hence, Holi is spread over 16 days in Vrindavan as well as Mathura - the two cities with which Lord Krishna shared a deep affiliation. Apart from the usual fun with coloured powder and water, Holi is marked by vibrant processions which are accompanied by folk songs, dances and a general sense of abandoned vitality.
The festival begins on the night of the full moon. Bonfires are lit on street corners to cleanse the air of evil spirits and bad vibes, and to symbolize the destruction of the wicked Holika, the demoness, after whom the festival was named, according to a few. This ritual is called the "Holika Dahan", or the burning of Holika. The following morning, the streets fill with people running, shouting, giggling and splashing. Marijuana-based bhang and thandai add to the uninhibited atmosphere. Promptly at noon, the craziness comes to an end and everyone heads to either the river or the bathtub, then inside to relax the day away and partake of candies. In the afternoon an exhausted and contented silence falls over India. Although Holi is observed all over the north, it's celebrated with special joy and zest at Mathura, Vrindavan, Nandgaon, and Barsnar. These towns once housed the divine Krishna.
Each area celebrates Holi differently; the Bhil tribesmen of western Madhya Pradesh, who've retained many of their pre-Hindu customs, celebrate holi in a unique way. In rural Maharashtra State, where the festival is known as Rangapanchami it is celebrated with dancing and singing. In the towns of Rajasthan especially Jaisalmer, the music's great, and clouds of pink, green, and turquoise powder fill the air. The grounds of Jaisalmer's Mandir Palace are turned into chaos, with dances, folk songs, and colored-powder confusion.
Holla Mohalla is celebrated a day after Holi in Punjab especially by the Nihang Sikhs. This festival is characterized by cultural events. The Nihangs exhibit their martial expertise by organizing mock battles, sword fighting and archery on this day. This festival continues for three days.
An interesting ritual marks the festival of Holi in Haryana. Here the Sister in laws beat their brother in laws (devars) in mock anger with her sari rolled up in the form of a rope. In the evening the devars come with sweets for their sister in laws to earn their goodwill. This ritual is known as Dulandi Holi.
In Bengal this festival is known by the name of Dol Jatra, or Dol Purnima. On this day the idol of Mahaprabhu Chaitanya, placed in a pictursuqely decorated palanquin is taken round the main streets of the city. The head of the Bengali family observes fast and prays to Lord Krishna and Agnidev. After all the traditional rituals are over, he smears Krishna's idol with gulal or "aabir" (powder-color) and offers "bhog" to both Krishna and Agnidev.
In Manipur, Holi is extrem is a six-day festival here, commencing on the full moon day of Phalguna. The traditional and centuries-old Yaosang festival of Manipur amalgamated with Holi in the18th century with the introduction of Vaishnavism. The entire theme of the festival is woven into the worship of Krishna and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, also known as Lord Gauranga. Thabal Chongba, a popular Manipuri folk dance, is associated with this festival. The literal meaning of Thabal is 'moonlight' and Chongba means 'dance.' In earlier times, this dance was performed in the moonlight accompanied by folk songs. The only musical instrument used was a dholak or drum.