Bengal

Here, as in rest of eastern India, Holi is Dol Yatra or Poornima meaning swing procession. Early in the day Lord Krishna and Radha are placed in a little cradle swings, bedecked with flowers and coloured powder. People sing songs and take turns to rock the swing. Songs derive from the frolics of the divine duo. This festival was initiated by King Indradyumna in Vrindavan. It spreads for over three to five days. At the end the swing is rocked 21 times.

Rabindranath Tagore was so taken up with this ritual that he initiated the Basanta Utsav at Shantiniketan. On this day, the students of the university attired in yellow dresses perform various cultural programmes to welcome spring. Choreographed dances, songs and plays are staged. Followed by playing with abeer.

Punjab

The Sikh community celebrates this day as Hola Mohalla. A day when the various martial traditions of the community such as wrestling are exhibited. A peculiar bombne or 'shouting your hearts out' is also celebrated. The Hindus of Punjab do not light bonfires but simply celebrate it as a festival of colours. On the day, traditional sweets such as gujjia and halwa, puris, a preparation of raw jackfruit and malpua are prepared.

Rajasthan

This colourful state plays Holi much the same was as Mathura. On the day, clouds of pink, turquoise and green gulal fill the air. Traditional beats of dhol rent the air. In a rare moment of candour, the royals of Rajasthan mingle with the commoners. Rajputs often display their martial traditions. Rajput men ride their steeds through the white and pink clouds of colour, throwing gulal on each other.

Sindh

On the eve of Holi, the ceremony Holikadahan, takes place. Sindhi women light bonfires and roast a special kind of bread, muli, mithi roti. This is an offering to the goddess and wrapped with thread. The roti is cooked but the thread covering is not burnt. When cooked it is consumed by the women. The next day, called Dhulandi in Sindhi is celebrated like all Hindus. This roti is believed to make women immune to various diseases and disasters.

Himachal Pradesh

This festival is celebrated in much the same way as rest of North India. Thousands gather at the holy shrine of Ponta Sahib in Sirmour district on the banks of Yamuna.

Goa

Holi, the festival of spring is called Shigmo in Goa. Celebrated mostly by the masses in the close religious association of religious rites, the festival is accompanied with by fanfare of drumbeats and epic enactment of mythology. Vivid and vibrant colours of gulal and neel are abundantly used. Today, Shigmotav is highlighted with performances of troupes in the form of parades and cultural dramas. At dusk, huge effigies are taken in processions and prizes given away.

Orissa

Like in Bengal, it is Dol Poornima for the Oriyas. Customs vary but the spirit is the same. In rural Orissa, a day before idols of Radha and Krishna are brought out of temples in palki and taken around the locality. In the evening by milkmen (gaur) carry the palki on the shoulders as Krishna belonged to their clan. Various games such as dandi khela are played. A jhoolan mandap is erected in the temple courtyard where the two stay the night. The following morning abeer is applied to them. Special dishes such as pithas, laddoos made of puffed rice and sesame seeds are prepared. Often bada chana is fried. After this people play with colours. Towards evening, the idols are dipped in the local pond and taken back to the temple.

Maharashtra

Maharashtrians do not celebrate Holi like the North Indians. Play with colours is reserved for Rangpanchami, which comes five days after Phalgun poornima. On this day, they make bonfire and effigy of goddess Holika is burnt. Special delicacies such as puran poli are prepared. People drink sugarcane juice and feed children with watermelons that are in season. Andhra Pradesh

South Indians per say, don't celebrate Holi with as much fanfare as North Indians. However, in Andhra Pradesh as well as the other Dravidian states, the feeling of communal harmony is high. People participate in merry making. In the evening, youngsters play with dry colours and seek elders' blessings.

The Banjara tribes of Andhra Pradesh celebrate Holi in their own way. Graceful dances are performed by the colourful Banjara gypsies.

Tamil Nadu

The Tamilians celebrate Holi around the legend of Kama Deva. On this day, songs are sung that tell the pathetic tale of Rati and her lamentations. Holi here is known by three different names - Kamavilas, Kaman Pandigai and Kama-dahana.