For all of us, the festival of colors delivers a unique and memorable experience. It could be at our sweet home or the place where we gather with our friends, the streets, or even at the work station. End of the day, the celebrations are just like great moments of gathering and having hilarious times.
Northern India is the region where Holi is celebrated in full swing. Nonetheless, the influence is spreading across the southern side. How? These days, due to the vast employment opportunities, people think of settling down here and showcasing their lifestyle.
As far as I’m concerned, diversified cultures paved the way for the birth of several celebrations in places where they were not well known. Eventually, Holi becomes prevalent, and folks take the initiative to take part in this festival and enjoy it.
There is a saying when we talk about festival; wherever the part of the world you are in, you have to somehow reach the destination for the sake of two things; Meeting your loved ones and to be a part of the festival. Now, let us now try to understand how the festival is celebrated on the southern side, whether it is gaining popularity, and whether the people accept it as a part of their lifestyle.
Kerala Style of Celebrating Holi
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In contrast with the areas where it is given high importance, Keralites have a special name for Holi, which is Manjul Kuli. This is taken part in Gosripuram Thiruma’s Konkani Temple, which is also known as Cochin Thirumala Devaswom Temple. It is located in a place called Mattancherry, which is a little closer to the Cochin International Airport at 41 kilometers.
On the first day of Holi, the devotees go to the temple and do darshan. But the real fun starts on the second day. The time people begin to fill the water pump and starts spraying on others colored water. Most interestingly, the water they use to fill the pump is mixed with turmeric. At the same time, people dance to traditional folk songs. Apart from this traditional way, even this festival is trending in educational institutions. For students, it’s about having fun and having mesmerizing times with their friends. Although the elders are quite reserved in terms of taking part, the younger ones take it very seriously.
Celebrations in South India and the Kamadahan Ritual
During the Holi celebration, southerners worship Kama, also known as Manmadha Vasanth, the deity of love. There is an intriguing tale behind the worship of this god; in the puranas, it is mentioned that, for the sake of prosperity and harmony, Kamadahan aimed an arrow of love at Shiva, who was in meditation, without even thinking of the consequences.
When Shiva lost his focus from the meditation, he opened his third eye and turned the god of love into ash. Subsequently, Lord Shiva realized that he has done the wrong thing and decided to give him in his own form. Thus, for the memory of this eventful sacrifice of Kamadahan, people celebrate the Kamadahan rite. Do you know how the set up is done? The dummy of the deity Kamadahan is performed by putting up the holy bonfire with wood and some sacred dravyas. Once the event is done – People even take the ash of it to their home as it may bring prosperity and peace. This is how the Holi is celebrated in the southern space.
In the end, wherever and however it is celebrated; it is a festival and should be treated with equal importance and respect in all the parts of the nation. Wish you all a memorable Holi and may this bring you joy and peace in all phases of life.
