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Holi may be called the festival of colors, but it is not limited to colors only. There are many parts of the country where Holi is known by different names. The traditions here are also quite different from North India. The festival of Holi here is celebrated with colors and a special kind of dance and music. At some places Holi is celebrated as a festival of farming and at other places mythological tableaux bring history alive.

Most people know Holi of North India. Be it Lathmaar of Barsana or Rango Utsav of Awadh. Know, apart from North India, by how many names Holi is known in different parts of the country and how different are the traditions there.

Basant Utsav and Dol Jatra in Bengal

Moving east to Shantiniketan, here Holi transforms into 'Basant Utsav', a celebration of spring inspired by the ideals of Rabindranath Tagore. Here students dressed in yellow sing Rabindra Sangeet and perform classical dances under trees decorated with flowers. Apart from the noise and joy, decency and restraint are visible here. Dry colors are applied gently.

Dol festival is celebrated in Bengal as a symbol of love and devotion for Radha-Krishna.

Not only this, in Bengal Holi is also called Dol Utsav, Dol Jatra and Dol Purnima. It is celebrated as a symbol of love and devotion of Radha-Krishna. Along with colours, kirtan and cultural programs have special significance.

Shanti Niketan festival

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Yaoshang of Manipur

There is a tradition of celebrating Yaoshang in Manipur in the North-East. It is a six-day festival and includes local customs along with Holi. The festival begins with sports competitions, traditional dances and the ritual of burning thatched hut. Children go door-to-door to collect donations for community programs, making the festival a lesson in collective responsibility rather than wastefulness.

Yaoshang.

Shigmotsav in Goa

In Goa, Holi is celebrated as Shigmo or Shigmotsav. It is said to be a lively folk festival related to farming. Instead of pageantry, this festival involves grand processions, performances accompanied by drums and mythological tableaux that enliven the village streets. Shigmo celebrates the arrival of spring and the triumph of goodness. Tourists coming here also enjoy it.

Shigmotsav.

Hola Mohalla in Punjab

Holi is celebrated with Hola Mohalla in Anandpur Sahib, Punjab. This festival takes place on the next day of Holi. Hola means attack or military exercise and Mohalla means procession or group. In this way, Hola Mohalla is not just a religious festival but a symbol of courage and unity in the Sikh tradition.

Hola Mohalla is a symbol of courage and unity in Sikh tradition.

It was started in 1701 by the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Its objective was to prepare the Sikhs for bravery, discipline and war skills. In the festivals here, emphasis is laid on warfare skills.

Hola Mohalla is grand Holi celebrated by Guru Gobind Singh Ji' Khalsa in defiance of Islamic Mughal fatwa to not celebrate Holi. Grand Holi as Hola is ordained by Guru Gobind Singh Ji himself. pic.twitter.com/G8GEqDrF6d

— Arshdeep Singh Saini (@the_lama_singh) March 3, 2026

Nihang Sikhs perform horse riding and weapons, making this festival a symbol of discipline, courage and spiritual pride. In this way, Holi is celebrated with colors and different customs across the country. This festival gives the message of unity in diversity and also shows the diversity of India.