The festivities of Holi are not restricted to the northern parts of India. In fact, this Queen of Indian festivals is celebrated with much enthusiasm in the western states as well. In Maharashtra, specific to kokan region(Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg) locals have a unique and grand way of observing this joyous occasion of Shimga. Unlike the Northern states, the people of Kokan in Maharashtra celebrate Shimga festival five days after Phalgun Poornima. On this day, the natives drench each other with brilliant colours and immerse themselves in the spirit of carefree merrymaking.
Here are some of the aspects of a Konkani Holi that make it special and spectacular.

1. Holika Dahan or the Holi Bonfire

The preparations for the festival kick off a week prior to the event, when youngsters of the community start collecting firewood for the Holi bonfire. On the eve of Shimga, the entire neighbourhood gathers at one place and a massive bonfire is lit. People exchange warm greetings and wish each other a happy Holi. This activity is termed as Holika Dahan in the native tongue and the flames of the fire symbolise the victory of good over evil.

2. Welcoming the Season of Spring

The dates of the festival of Holi coincide with the culmination of spring. People clad in elaborate costumes play with colours and perform folk dance and music to welcome the season of Basanta, which is the month associated with fertility and prosperity. A peculiar high-pitched sound is produced by striking the mouth with the hands, so as to offer a resounding ovation to spring. The fisher-folk of the region also partake in the festivities by singing and dancing.

3. The Delectable Cuisine of Holi

The celebrations of Holi are incomplete without indulging in mouth-watering sweets and delicacies. In Maharashtra, Puran Poli is the famous dish that is prepared in every household on the occasion of Holi. It is a delicious flatbread with a sweet stuffing of jaggery and lentils that melts in the mouth. People also treat themselves to tumblers of freshly extracted sugarcane juice and slices of watermelon, which are particularly enjoyed by the children.

4. The Lively Processions

Kokani people celebrate Shimga festival in such a way that GOD arrives at our own house. Locals believe that Shimga represents the arrival of God and therefore carry idols of the deities to their houses in Palkhis or palanquins. Villagers decorate their houses with paintings and also make various floral designs or rangoli on the entrance of their homes.
The villagers here celebrate Holi with God in a Palkhi and bring it everyone’s house so that they together can pray for the wellbeing of the families.  A colourful procession of people of all castes and creeds dances alongside the Palkhis with staunch devotion. They seek blessings from the Gods and pray for the well-being of their families. This ritual is one of the dying traditions of Maharashtra that is being kept alive by the small towns of the Ratnagiri district, such as Kodavali.

5. A Kaleidoscope of Colours

The fifth day of Shimga is called Rang Panchami and is reserved for playing with colours. People of all ages come together to smear each other with natural colours made from herbal ingredients like Neem, Kumkum, and Haldi. These herbs have valuable medicinal properties and cure several ailments like viral fever and cold. In this manner, Konkani Holi ensures that the environment is not polluted by colours produced using harsh chemicals.

Due to the fast paced lives and urbanisation, Shimga is one of the festivals of Maharashtra that is vanishing from the cities. However, small villages like Kodavali in ratnagiri are keeping the candle of Konkani culture burning and are the best places to witness the unique Holi celebrations in India. Maharashtra rural tourism offers a chance to revel in the mesmerizing atmosphere of this festival. Visiting a farmstay or agritourism center in Konkan is a great way to experience the authentic celebrations of Holi and the native culture of this region

We at TourdeFarm handpicked some of the Homestay & farmstay around Ratnagiri, why are you waiting for let’s visit kokan to celebrate Shimga festival in traditional way …