Rajasthan Holi festival

Rajasthan Holi festival The colourful state of Rajasthan plays Holi much the same way as Mathura. A 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. People throw coloured water and powders (gulal and kumkum) at each other and make merry. Singing, dancing and the traditional beats of dhol add to the gaiety of the occasion.

Celebrations by Royals
On this day even the royals of Rajasthan don a festive spirit and mingle with the commoners. Infact, royal courts all over North India have refined the festival into an art. Rajput warriors of the Rajasthani courts used to show off their equestrian skills during the festival.
Even today, Rajput men would ride their steeds through the white and pink clouds of colour, throwing colour powders on each other. Even the members of the royal families are not immune from being drenched by colour.

History of Holi
Holi was originally a festival to celebrate the start of Spring, good harvests and fertility of the land. The first mentions of it date back to a poem from the 4th century. Holi was described in a 7th century Sanskrit play called "Ratnavali," written by the Indian emperor Harsha. "Witness the beauty of the great cupid festival which excites curiosity as the townsfolk are dancing at the touch of brownish water thrown ... Everything is coloured yellowish red and rendered dusty by the heaps of scented powder blown all over," wrote Harsha.

Today it is better known as a symbolic commemoration of a legend from Hindu Mythology. The story is that there was once a king who resented his son, Prince Prahlada, worshipping Lord Vishnu. He tries to murder the prince on several occasions but fails each time. Finally, the king's sister Holika who is said to be immune to burning sits with the boy inside a fire. However, the prince emerges unhurt, while his aunt burns in the fire and dies.

Holi Dahan remembers this event, and huge bonfires are burnt on the eve of Holi as a symbolic representation of Holika's cremation. The festival is also associated with the eternal 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.

Braj Mahotsav
The festival is celebrated in the honor of Lord Krishna, and falls few days before Holi. The festival is celebrated for three days in the Braj region, which is situated in the Bharatpur district of Rajasthan. The area in and around the Braj is believed to be the region where Lord Krishna spent his childhood, playing pranks and showing many aspects of His transcendental activities. Local people don multi-colored, vibrant attires and celebrate by singing and dancing and emulating Raslila, depicting the divine love between Radha and Krishna.
The energy identified with festival can be seen manifesting the entire Bharatpur region in the form of songs and dance and locals splashing colors on each other. People can be seen everywhere in high spirits and festive mood and all set to welcome Holi.

Dhulandi Festival
Dhulandi is celebrated across India on the day after Holika Dahan (the traditional bonfire) to mark the onset of spring. Everyone, including the young and the old, can be seen indulging in gaiety and celebration and throwing and smearing colors on each other. The celebration can last till late in the evening. However, the festival acquires a special charm in the way it the celebrated in the capital city of Jaipur.
The department of tourism organizes an exclusive event in the lawns of Khasa Kothi Hotel for international guests where they can take part in and enjoy the culture, food and spirit of India, besides relishing the traditional Rajasthani folk songs as well as music.

Mali Holi
The Mali Holi is celebrated in a distinctive fashion and draws a lot of charm, excitement and curiosity. Following the age-old traditions, the men of the Mali community throw the colors on their women who then respond by hitting them with sticks or else by a long piece of cloth. The spectacle is worth seeing and generates a lot of enthusiasm. This special way of celebrating Holi, brings the people in the local community together in the spirit of unity and brotherhood.

Gair at Godaji
Celebrated few days after Holi, this occasion is marked with the gathering of men from 12 distinct villages in the Godaji Village, located near the Ajmer, to play Gair. Each village presents itself with their own drummers and troupes.
Surrounded by picturesque sights all over, the occasion is attended by thousands of audience and onlookers, who revel in the celebration with lots of excitement and passion. The eagerly awaited event is celebrated each year with great energy and verve and brings in a lot of joy and happiness to the local community.

Dolchi Holi at Bikaner
Dolchi Holi is again a slightly different form of Holi celebrated primarily by the Harsh and Vyas communities of Rajasthan. The celebration involves people throwing water on each other in a specially made vessel called Dolchi, manufactured from the camel skin. Celebrating Holi in such a way is a part of the tradition which has been sustained for 300 years.
However, the water is thrown only on the back of the individual and not front. Nevertheless, what is surprising is that colors are not used in this Holi and it is played by men of the communities only, while women and children look over. It is said that the tradition of this Holi was started when the two communities had a dispute over food. In order to bury the hatchet, the men of the communities started throwing water on each other, which subsequently got converted into a tradition.