Holi is a festival which is celebrated all over India with a love and fun. Though, it is known by different names in different parts of India. But it is celebrated with the same enthusiasm whether it is in North India or South India. 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.

In Maharashtra, people celebrate Holi in their unique and grand manner. Holi is known as Rangpanchami in Maharashtra. Unlike people in the north, the festival is celebrated five days after Phalgun Poornima. On this day, everyone enjoys and spread colors on others, their loved ones, their natives. And show the joy of beautiful colors which has a magic to bring everyone together. What so ever you call it, a Holi or a Rangpanchami but it is celebrated with love.

During Holi, everyone in Maharashtra rejoice the festival by making mouth-watering sweets and snacks. But you know what the main attraction of sweet is Puran poli, which is specially prepared on Holi. And people drink sugarcane juice and feed children with watermelon. Holi is also popular among the fisher folk of the region. And their style of celebrating Holi is very unique.  They celebrate on a large scale and enjoy it by singing, dancing and merry-making. This special dance provides them to express their feelings, needs and desires.

But the main enchantment of this festival is the pot breaking sport (dahi-handhi) that represents the era of Lord Krishna. It is celebrated to solemnize the innocence of Krishna as a child, who used to steal butter from gopi’s home by breaking a pot of butter that was hung on the roof. Krishna and his friends form huge pyramids to break the pot. Restricting their access is the constant splashing of water on them, by the women folk. During the festival of Holi, you can see every street filled with people, who participate in the pot breaking sport, with much enthusiasm.

Holi is a festival of joy and fun but it also has another means of celebrating this festival. Historical significance is afflicted with the celebration of Holi in Maharashtra. According to the history, the festival was celebrated with great bugle during the Maratha regime. It was on the festival that five-year-old Jijabhai, daughter of Lakhooji Jadhav, playfully splashed colored water and threw gulal on young Shahaji, son of Malajirao Bhowale. This gestured was considered auspicious and on the very same day, the engagement of the two children was announced. They tied the wedding knot soon. Later on, Shivaji, the founder of great Maratha Empire was born as the son of Jijabhai.

India is a very beautiful country where all kinds of rituals and festivals merge together to celebrate the joy of life and to celebrate an auspicious festival by sprinkling love on others.