Rang Panchami is the joyous celebration that falls five days after Holi .
Namaste!
Welcome to the world of insightful blogs at www.onindianpath.com. Today, I am shedding light on the meaning, celebrations, cultural context and significance of Rang Panchami.
Introduction
Rang Panchami, also popularly known as Dev Holi and Shri Panchami, is a vibrant celebrations falls on fifth day of Phalgun month of Hindu Panchang. On this day people throw gulal in the air and splash colored water on each other, extending the festive spirit and allowing for additional joyful extravaganza.
Significance of Rang Panchami
According to ancient Hindu sacred texts, Rang Panchami is the day when Lord Krishna plays Holi of colors and flowers with Radha. It is also known as Dev Holi because all the Devas come to Earth to celebrate, reveling in the exuberance and liveliness of Gulal.
Apparently, the vibrancy and significance of the festival are intricately tied to the tales of Gopis and Lord Krishna. According to these ancient texts, Lord Krishna played Holi with the Gopis on this day.
Additionally, the succubus Putna was vanquished by baby Krishna on this auspicious day. In celebration of the victory of good over evil, natives of Nandgaon joyfully threw abhir and red gulal in the air.
Historical references tells us that Prahald took over the throne on this day, thus the kingdom celebrated the death of Hiranyakashipu with colours on Rang Panchami.
Further, there are many astrological remedies and pujas, performed on this day to eradicate bad effects of malice planets in horoscope.
Date and Time
In 2024, we will have Rang Panchami on 30 March 2024. Panchami titthi will start at 20:15 PM on 29 March 2024 and ends at 21:15 PM on 30 March 2024.
Cultural significance of Rang Panchami
Moreover, Rang Panchami denotes happiness, positivity and celebrations. Many scholars believe that on this day, people blow gulal in the air to destroys negative energy and welcome positive energy into the spectrum.
Also, it is believed that if a couple offers colours to Radha and Lord Krishna, then their bond strengthens and lives happily ever after.
Meanwhile, the festival of Rang Panchami is not confined to only the Hindu religion. It has evolved into a secular celebration. Every Indian, regardless of their religion, comes together to rejoice in the vibrant colors and festive vibes.
Additionally, Rang Panchami also brings communities together and fosters a sense of unity.
Celebrating Rang Panchami differently
As I belong to Brij shetra, I get enthralled with my childhood memories of Rang Panchami. My mother used to have bathing rituals early morning on this day. She used to collect all kind of roses, marigold, lily and jasmine flowers to play holi of flowers with Kanhaiya (Lord Krishna) and Radha rani. And all of us kids used to relish those wonderful kheer delicacies afterwards.
Indore and Rang Panchami
Infact, Rang Panchami is celebrated with a procession in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. It is called “Ger”.
Particularly in old Indore, the Municipal Corporation fills water cannons and water tanks with colors and sprinkles them on the streets of the city. This procession spans the entire city, with people of every religion and caste participating with great enthusiasm. It’s truly a scenic view, witnessing the procession filled with pomp, dance and enthusiasm.
Maharashtra and Rang Panchami
Certainly, people in Maharashtra celebrate it by name-Phalgun Poornima. In Goa, it is called Shimgo or Shimga.
In all the regions, folk dance and songs are must. People celebrate it without any discrimination of religion, cast and creed to fellow citizens. Moreover, Rang Panchami is a day to celebrate and enjoy Dahi handi or Matki phodo competition and other cultural events like singing and dancing.
Southern India and Rang Panchami
Similarly, in Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Rang Panchami is celebrated as a sacrifice of cupid God Kama. Also popularly known as Kama Dahanam as this was the day, cupid god Kamadeva was burned by Lord Shiva.
The Eastern touch
Same ways, when it comes to Eastern part of the country, mainly Manipur, Assam, Sikkim and Meghalaya, Rang Panchami is known as Yoshang or Pichkari or Deol. Here, the women celebrate the five day long colorful festival by swinging back and forth on swing, with music and dance. Further, there is a very famous traditional Palkhi dance associated with Rang Panchami. Apparently it is the most enchanting part of the Rang Panchami almost in every corner of the region.
While in Bihar, Mathura, Vrindavan and Brij areas and temples, divinity and revelvery are the prime forms of festivity on Rang Panchami. Devotees offer flowers and gulal to Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha.
Conclusion
Modern celebrations have made Rang Panchami a more lively festival. Apart from water balloons, coloured powders and water guns, we are heading towards digital gathering and social media flooding with selfies and groupies of the fest. To raise the bar, there are many professional event organisers to elevate the festive spirit, they organise more esteemed and accenturate community events, cultural programs, traditional music and dance performances in form of DJ events and rock shows. Social media has given a boon to NGO to raise a concern with festivity like use of natural colours, save street animals from colors, save water and play water free colours etc. Come and lets embrace the spirit of togetherness this Rang Panchami.
Have a blessed time ahead.
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