The celebrations on Holi are not bound to the
boundaries of North India. The festival is celebrated with great vigor
in western parts of the country as well. The people of Maharashtra
observe it in their unique and grand manner. To begin with, Holi is
known as Rangapanchmi here. Unlike people in the north, the festival is
celebrated here five days after Phalgun Poornima. On this day, natives
play with colors and drench themselves in the spirit of festivity.
Bonfires, known as Holika, are burnt to symbolize the victory of good
over evil.
Moreover, people rejoice by treating themselves with mouth watering
sweets and delicacies. Puran Poli is the famous sweet dish, prepared on
the occasion of Holi. Besides, people also drink sugarcane juice and
feed children with watermelons. Holi is also popular amongst the fisher
folk of the region. They celebrate the festival by singing, dancing and
merry-making. Not to forget, the main attraction of the festival is the
pot breaking sport. The sport has roots in the ancient era of lord
Krishna.
It is celebrated to commemorate the innocence of Krishna as a child,
who used to steal butter from the nearby houses in his village. The
revelry of the festival reaches at its peak, when it comes to breaking
the pot. Trained groups of youngsters form huge pyramids to break the
pot, hung high on the streets. Restricting their access is the constant
splashing of water on them, by the women folk. This way Holi has its own
charm in this part of the country.
