Fire, faith and festivities: Jaipur’s royal Holi legacy

Holi festivities took on a unique charm at the residence of Jaipur’s erstwhile royals. Padmanabh Singh, who is the head of the royal family of the erstwhile Jaipur estate led the puja and havan before the grand Holika Dahan. Sharing more about the festival of colours, he says, “The two-day festival holds deep cultural and historical significance for our family. What makes Holi special is its inseparable connection to the city’s festivities. We revel in the same mythologies of the festival, and use that as a foundation to bring people together in joy, unity, and tradition.”

In order to keep the family traditions intact and celebrate the festival in all its fervour, Padmanabh partakes in every ritual associated with it. Sharing an interesting fact, he says, “Our family has been deeply linked to historic Holi celebrations for centuries. During the first Holi in Jaipur, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II lit the Holika, and people from across the city would take fire from there to ignite Holika’s in their homes. This tradition continues to this day.”

Holika Dahan at the palace is a blend of regal opulence and deep rooted tradition. He says, “It’s another tradition on Holika Dahan, where I lead a procession through the City Palace, alongside my family conduct a puja. Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh played a key role in the first faag utsav celebrations at Govind Devji temple. On Dhulandi, we honour the legacy by celebrating just as many in the city do- with energy, enthusiasm and plenty of gulaal.” Ask him what fascinates him the most about the festival of colours? “The vibrancy,” he says, adding, “Not just from the colours, but more so, from the spirit of the city. Watching people immerse themselves in the festive spirits, hearing the chants, hearing the crowds rushing to collect fire from the Holika — It’s a time of pure exuberance. Witnessing that spirit grow and peak during Holi is truly special.”