The Holi code: Much more than just splashing colours in Rajasthan

While most people associate Holi with

Holika

Dahan and playing with colours, the

festival

of

colours

represents so much more.

It applauds the age-old teaching of the triumphs of good over evil, celebrates the onset of spring and advocates the concept of 'bygones be bygones'. It also encourages new beginnings and positivity. This probably is the reason that the festival is so popular in vibrant Rajasthan, where each region celebrates it in its own way. As the celebrations were restricted in 2021 due to the pandemic, the enthusiasm for the festival is much higher this year. Here are some unique ways the festival is celebrated:

Gulal Gotas

The use of Gulal Gotas is particularly popular in Jaipur. A four-century old tradition, Gulal Gotas are small colour-filled containers made of lac and plant-based glue. It is believed the tradition of playing Holi with Gulal Gotas was started by the royal family of Jaipur years ago.

Gair on Holi

Gair is a local folk dance performed in different ways in different places. In Ajmer, men from 12 villages, dressed colourfully, dance with sticks in their hands in a large cirle. Rohitash Gujjar of Chandwardai said Gair is played in tribal areas of Dungarpur as well among communities such as Gujjars, Jats and Rawats.

In Jodhpur, Gair performances is meant only for the men. It includes songs with abuses and objectionable language. The women, on the other hand, are part of another folk dance 'Loor' performed during the month of Fagun.

Kapda Faad Holi

The 'kapda faad' Holi of Pushkar is quite popular, even among foreign tourists. Traditionally, a piece of the clothing worn by those playing, is torn a little. It is mainly enjoyed by playing with water. A special event is held for foreign tourists at Bhrama Ghat, in which locals are not allowed to participate.

Dolchi Holi

A tradition followed in Bikaner, men throw water on other men in a bucket-like vessel called dolchi, which is made of camel skin. It is believed that the tradition started due to a dispute between communities over food but now has turned into a celebration.

Role playing in

Jaisalmer

In Jaisalmer, two from the Pushkarna community are chosen every year to play the role of king and prince on the day of Dhulandi. The celebrations are held at Sonar Fort during which a special court is organised and a procession held. The community then goes on to play Holi with the members of the erstwhile Royal family.

Much like the Holi celebrations, the pre-Holi celebrations, which begin a fortnight before, are also participated in with much enthusiasm. Special Holi songs called 'Phag' are sung in which many of them talk about stories of Lord Krishna and Radha. Phag celebrations are held in Lord Krishna temples across the state, during which artistes, dressed in colourful attire, glorify His tales.

The most alluring part of Phag celebrations is playing Holi with flowers as it is believed that the use of colours might hurt the idol.


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