Celebration Of Rangpanchami and Holi

By tradition, we play colours on both Rang Panchami and Holi. Actually, Holi is to be celebrated on the day following Holika Dahan. Earlier, people played with the ashes of the previous night, but now-a-day it is played with colours. In Maharashtra as well as some northern parts of the country, Rang Panchami is celebrated on the 5th day from the Dahan with Gulal, but modern times have introduced a plethora of vibrant hues too.

It is believed that when the holy fire is lit, all negative qualities including Tamasic and Rajasic traits are eliminated. These negative aspects are believed to cause hindrance in one’s path to attain Moksha, liberation from the cycle rebirth. So, after they are extinguished, one is left with only the ashes of Sattvic Guna, which are positive in nature. This Guna helps in the path to salvation. Hence the next day is celebrated with the ash of Holika Dahan which is called Holi. Holi is also known by the names Dhulendi, Dhurdi, Dhurkhel, Dhulwad, Dhulivandan, and Chait Badi.

Rang Panchami falls in the Phalguni lunar month, on the Panchami Tithi of Krishna Paksha (as per the Amavasyant calendar) and Panchami Tithi, Chaitra lunar month, Krishna Paksha (as per the Purnimant calendar) 5 days after Holika Dahan. It is said that the Holi festival is celebrated for five days depending on the regional variations. It has various names such as Hori, Dolyatra in North, Shimga, Holi in Maharashtra, Kamdahan in South, Dolyatra in West Bengal. It is also called Vasantotsav or Vasantagamanotsav, to welcome the Vasant (spring) season.

Rang Panchami celebrates the existence of the Panch Tatva, or the five elements (Agni, Pruthvi, Vaayu, Jal, and Aakaash). These Tatvas are the source which helps activate the element of the Deities according to the spiritual emotion of the Jiva by throwing a red, fragrant powder (gulal) and splashing colored water on each other. This festival not only symbolizes season change but also gathering for happiness, equality, music and dance.

Every region has different names and traditions but all the festivals are associated with colours, so wherever you are and whatever you call it, just celebrate the happiness from the bottom of the heart.
This year the celebrations will be on:

Holika Dahan on 17th March 2022 Thursday. Poornima is starting at 01:30 pm
Holi /Dhuliwandan on 18th March 2022 Friday. Poornima is ending at 12:48 pm so Holi will start after this.
Rang Panchami on 22nd March 2022 Tuesday. Panchami Tithi starting 06:25 am