Holi of Uttar Pradesh is famous in the world for its different kind of Holi. Here Holi is not limited to just blowing gulal but it is a way of seeing the colors of folk culture which have been prevalent for centuries. Holi of the state is associated with the love of Krishna and Radha, devotion to Prahlad and sweetness of folk songs. From the streets of Braj to the courts of Awadh, every color of Holi has a deep spiritual and social meaning hidden in it, making it completely different from other parts of the country.
In this state, Holi celebrations start weeks in advance. At some places there is beating with sticks, at other places there is shower of flowers. In Holi of Uttar Pradesh, echoes of folk songs like ‘Phaag’ and ‘Hori’ are heard. During Holi here everyone just says ‘Holi Hai!’ Let’s get colored in each other’s colors with the cheering.
Many colors of Holi of UP
Holi of Mathura, Vrindavan and Barsana is most unique. Lathmar Holi is played in Barsana, where the men of Nandgaon come with the women of Barsana to play Holi and the women symbolically shower sticks on them. At the same time, Holi of flowers is played in Banke Bihari Temple of Vrindavan, which is a symbol of purity and love.
A strange form of Holi can be seen in Varanasi. Here, Holi is played with pyre ashes at the crematorium. It is believed that Lord Shiva plays Holi here with his followers. It represents the celebration of life and death together.
In places like Lucknow and Ayodhya, Holi is celebrated in a very peaceful and cultural manner. There is a tradition of singing ‘Phaag’ and it has been celebrated as a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity since the time of the Nawabs.
‘Huranga’ is organized in the Dauji temple of Braj, which is a more aggressive and joyous version of Lathmar Holi. Apart from this, traditionally in UP there has been a tradition of making natural colors from Tesu i.e. Palash flowers, which is also considered beneficial for health.
Holi in Prayagraj is quite different from the usual Holi and is full of more enthusiasm, especially in Loknath, Daraganj, Muthiganj and Chowk areas. Here, starting from Loknath till Chowk-Thetheri market, people play ‘cloth-tearing Holi’ by tearing clothes. The youth tear each other’s clothes and dance shirtless in the colors and water. Even after Holika Dahan, the color game continues for three to four days.
In Chowk and Loknath areas, people set up blockades and put tankers filled with colored water and pour water heavily on the crowd, which looks more like a street festival than a normal Holi ceremony.
Holi in UP is not only for entertainment but also a way to keep the traditions of the state alive. It has a combination of Tesu flowers, Phag folklore and sweetness of Gujiya. Due to many types of Holi being celebrated in the state, it is different from the Holi celebrated in other countries.
