Rangpanchami - A Festival After Holi

                                                                   Rangpanchami



People of Maharashtra commonly know this festival of colours by the name of Rangpanchami as the play of colours is reserved for the fifth day here. Locals of Maharashtra also know Holi as Shimga or Shimgo.
An extension of Holi called Rang Panchmi is a very famous festival in Indore and few tens of thousands of people gather in front of Rajwada and surrounding areas to get colored by the famous color cannon.

The festival is particularly popular amongst fisher folk. They celebrate it in on a large scale and revel in the festivities by singing, dancing and merry-making. This special dance provide them means to release all their repressed feelings, needs and desires. People also utter sound through their mouths in a peculiar fashion by striking their mouths with the back of their hands.

Legend:-

Legend associated with this festival claims that Lord Ram Chandra crossed Chanderi in the month of Phalgun during his thirteen year long vanavas and sanctified the land.  To this affect, Rang Panchami is celebrated five days after holi in the month of Phalgun on a hill top at Karila.
The celebration begins at dusk with the Rai dance performed by Bednis, women of the Bediya caste, under flaming torches held aloft by men. More than five lakh men from Chanderi and its surrounding areas are audience to this great spectacle.

Literally Holi is over, but it is yet not over if we talk about Indore. Here at Rajwada the complete city collects and the fervour for Rang Panchmi (5th day after Holi) is celebrated in a manner better than that for Holi itself. People gear up and “Jhankis”(floats) of all districts in Indore collect and people celebrate the festival of  Holi again. Water tankers and Gulal pumps are a regular scenario in this celebration. You can also buy Bhaang here. A lot of politicians and leaders of different areas too join in the festivity. It is an experience of its own kind.

The fire, which shines with its brilliance on Holi, decomposes the raja-tama particles in the atmosphere and this helps activate various Deities in the form of colours. This bliss is celebrated by throwing colours in the air. Thus, Rang Panchami is a symbol of victory over raja-tama. Rang Panchami, played on Falgun Vadya Panchami involves invocation of Gods and is a part of worship of the manifest form of Gods. Its purpose is to activate the five elements of radiant manifest colours and to touch and feel the Deities who are attracted to the respective colours. These five elements are a source, which help activate the element of the Deities according to the spiritual emotion of the Jiva. Rang Panchami is the worship of the saviour form of the Deities.

The main objective of this festival is to activate the ‘Panch Tatva’ or the five elements that make up the universe. These five elements constitute of earth, light, water, sky and wind. It is considered that the human body is also made of these five elements. The festival of Ranga Panchami invokes these five basic elements that help to restore balance in life.

Scientific Reason for Celebrating the Holi:-

1) The mutation period of winter and spring, induces the growth of bacteria in the atmosphere as well as in the body. When Holika is burnt, temperature rises to about 145 degrees Fahrenhiet. Following the tradition when people perform Parikrima (circumambulation or going around) around the fire, the heat from the fire kills the bacteria in the body thus, cleansing it.
2) The day after the burning of Holika people put ash (Vibhuti) on their forehead and they would mix Chandan (sandalpaste) with the young leaves and flowers of the Mango tree and consume it to promote good health.

Rangpanchami Festival Exclusive For The Fishing Community:-

Rangpanchami holds very special significance for the fisher folks, as this day means celebration, singing and dancing for them. As per the tradition of Rangpanchami, people make a unique sound with their mouths, by striking the back of their hands on the mouth. To add on joy to the festive mood, Puran Poli, the special dish of this day is prepared.


Rangpanchami Festival For The Youngsters:-

Rangpanchami is celebrated with great zeal in Madhya Pradesh. On this day, young boys gather with friends and celebrate the day by splashing colors on each other. As per the customs of the state, several activities are also organized and held. As Rangpanchami is the last day of Holi, therefore, the level of festive mood and enjoyment is very high on this day.

Rangpanchami Elimination Of Evil:-

Rangpanchami is celebrated with a belief of abolition of negativity and evil. All the rivalries, jealousy, negative and harsh feelings are kept aside and the festival is enjoyed with enthusiasm, promoting affection and brotherhood.

This was all about Rangpanchami. We hope this article will help you in understanding the significance of this day more closely.

 Rangpanchami  in Rajasthan:-

In Rajastan, Rangpanchami preparations are mainly seen in the temples of Jaisalmer. Folk dances are enjoyed by the local people. The festival is enjoyed with different colors, especially red, orange and blue colors are seen everywhere.

Rangpanchami in Karnataka:-

Thousands of people celebrated the Rangpanchami by daubing each other with colours, singing and dancing in Karnataka. On Rangpanchami, the people seek to invoke Gods in the form of colours and to touch and feel them. In the Hubli in Karnataka, locals revelled in the festivities by singing, dancing and merry-making. The festival is particularly popular amongst fisher folk.


Rangpanchami in Madya Pradesh:-

Rang Panchami in Malvan is observed on the 5th day of Phagun. “Rang Panchami”.is the festival of colors, where panchami means the fifth day of Hindu lunar month Phagun.. On this day the locals rejoice to the fullest by throwing red-powder called gulal on each other as a sign of greeting and love. In Malvan this festival is also looked upon as the great day of religious importance and the symbol of victory over raja-tama particles in the atmosphere. In Malvan villages the village deities called Gram Devata are worshipped. During Holi and Rangpanchami locals of Malvan are dressed up in traditional Maharashtrian dresses, especially the ladies look more beautiful in the typical saris and the traditional ornaments like nathni and earrings. In the villages of Malvan colors are prepared in large quantities and people are virtually dipped in the colored water. No one in the villages hesitates to take part in the celebrations and even the ladies in the households offer eatables and sweets prepared for the festivals to the celebrating gangs. Hotels near malvan beach are fully occupied during the festive period.

Rangpanchami in Maharastra:-

Nasik follows many things in a way different from other places. Rangpanchami is probably the best example of it. Unlike some other cities, Holi is not the day when people play colors. Instead, usually, fifth day from holi is celebrated as Rangpanchami and Nasilkites find another occasion to enjoy festivity. The entire city starts preparing for it days before. It may be thunderous DJs or chilly shower dance set up, everything adds valuably to the celebration. This is what makes me to come to Nasik every time and enjoy Rangpanchami with my buddies.

Rang Panchami in Malvan is observed on the 5th day of Phagun. “Rang Panchami”.is the festival of colors, where panchami means the fifth day of Hindu lunar month Phagun.. On this day the locals rejoice to the fullest by throwing red-powder called gulal on each other as a sign of greeting and love. In Malvan this festival is also looked upon as the great day of religious importance and the symbol of victory over raja-tama particles in the atmosphere. In Malvan villages the village deities called Gram Devata are worshipped. During Holi and Rangpanchami locals of Malvan are dressed up in traditional Maharashtrian dresses, especially the ladies look more beautiful in the typical saris and the traditional ornaments like nathni and earrings. In the villages of Malvan colors are prepared in large quantities and people are virtually dipped in the colored water. No one in the villages hesitates to take part in the celebrations and even the ladies in the households offer eatables and sweets prepared for the festivals to the celebrating gangs.

Rangpanchami Different types of Celebrations:-

As per Lord Krishna’s story, Lord Krishna (a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu) liked to play pranks on the village girls (Gopika) by drenching them in water and colors; hence Holi associates with Lord Krishna’s mischief and joy.

 
 The festival starts with Holika Dahan night before festival. All people of a particular locality meet at an open place for the formation of bonfire. Huge logs of wood, paper, cow dung cakes and waste material joined together and lit to burn to ashes. The act signifies the destruction of evil over good, and is believed to burn evil spirits.
 

 On the next day, after praying to Gods at home, people assemble outdoors. The celebration starts in the morning itself playing with colors. In some regions the “Matka” ceremony takes place, which is a fun and cheerful event. An earthen pot filled with milk is hung high in an open area. A group of young men form a human pyramid to reach the pot and break it. Women from surrounding buildings throw colored water on these men to distract them from being successful.
 
 People spend the day smearing colored powder all over each other's faces, throwing colored water at each other with water guns (pichkaris), balloons and throw friends to splash into a pool of colored water, dance under water sprinklers. Music, dance, games, entertainment are held on this day at various places. People gather for parties, Bhang liquid is also traditionally consumed during the celebrations. Bhang is made of a paste made from cannabis plants (mari juana) and almonds, mixed with milk. Holi gives a perfect opportunity to treat the taste buds with the delicious sweets, shared with each other during festival. 
 
Rang Panchami, is the festival colorfully celebrated in some regions of India on the fifth day (Panchami) after Holi, that is after five days of full moon in the month of Phalguna. In Brindavan (Vrindavan) Lord Sri Krishna temple, Vasantotsav begins on Holi and ends on Rang Panchami, with Pooja of Lord Krishna. Rang Panchami festival is celebrated similar to Holi and people play with colors on day.

Rajasthan Elephants Festival

                                                Rajasthan Elephants Festival

The elephant has references in Indian mythology. As goods or Devas and the demons or Asuras churned the oceans during "sagar manthan" for the elixir of life that would make them immortal, there surfaced the "navratnas" - nine jewels. One of these jewels was the elephant.

Elephants have always occupied a pride of place among the erstwhile Rajput rulers. The Rajput rulers' use of elephants in war is legendary. War aside elephants have been an integral part of Rajasthan's royal courts and were used in royal parades. As a rule of thumb, a Rajput king would always ride on elephant.

 Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan was a much preferred place for elephant parades in honor of the royal guests. This grand spectacle of elephant parade was given a fresh lease of life courtesy Rajasthan Tourism and every year in the month of March a grand spectacle of impeccably bedecked and ornamented elephants are paraded in full public glare at Jaipur's Chaugan Stadium. The spectacular parade is followed by a bewildering array of special events like playing holi with elephants, elephant race and the amazing game of elephant polo. It is indeed party time for the elephants.
 The most amazing feature of this colorful festival is that the majority of the elephants that take part in the festivities are female of the species. Each elephant is garishly decorated from tusk to tail with charming jewelry. Their foreheads are embossed with floral decoration.

During Holi, the Chaugan is brought alive with elephants, dancers, musicians, and onlookers from the entire globe. The festival starts with an impressive procession of the majestic animals lovingly painted and tastefully attired with glittering ornaments and embroidered velvets.
Royal Elephant CartThe echoing sound of the trumpet fills the atmosphere. A ceremonial procession is recreated with caparisoned elephants, lancers on horses, chariots, camels, cannons, and palanquins. The large beast is the center of attraction in the many races and beauty pageants.
 The elephant-keepers take great care to decorate the elephants by painting their trunks, foreheads, and feet with floral motifs and adorning them from tusk to tail with interesting trinkets. The game of polo forms the highlight of the festival. Dressed in saffron and red turbans, the teams try to score goals with long sticks and a plastic football.

 Finally, the tourists are invited to mount the elephants and play Holi. Participants dance with great vigor-the excitement rising to a crescendo.
 Jaipur was a favourite spot with the important personalities of the British Raj and the Maharajas always arranged for their guests of honour elephant rides up to the Amber palace. Even today, the mahouts take tourists up to the Amber Palace on elephant back like shuttle taxis.
 There were deadly and furious elephant-fights in the Chaugan of polo-field, the venue of the Elephant Festival. Rajasthan Tourism recreated the tradition by including the Elephant Festival in the cultural calendar. During Holi, the festival of Colors, to acclaim the coming of Spring, the Jaipur Chaugan is brought alive with elephants, dancers, musicians and onlookers from all the globe.
Elephants have always held an important place in the Indian society, Lord Ganesha , the Hindu deity with the head of an elephant is greatly revered and is the lord master of all ceremonies and happy beginnings. Elephants are part of many major religious ceremonies, processions and even marriage ceremonies, all primarily ceremonial roles as the era of the war elephant is now long over.
As the name suggests elephants are the centre of attraction at the Elephant Festival Jaipur. Pachyderms are washed, painted and groomed in all finery by their loving grooms or Mahouts as they are called in India. Elephants are specially decorated for the elephant festival, with chunky elephant jewellery, large anklets decked with bells grace their feet, their bodies are painted with traditional Indian motifs, gold embroidered velvet rugs grace their backs along with silver and gold plated Howdahs and gold embroidered velvet parasol’s . The large ears of the elephants are adorned with ear danglers and brightly coloured brocade scarfs. Even their tusks are ringed with gold and silver bracelets and rings. Richly embellished head-plates adorn the Elephants foreheads. The mahouts are also all dressed up in their brocade jackets and bright coloured Safa’s or turbans. At the Jaipur Elephant festival there is a prize for the best decorated Elephant and its Mahout.
In fact, Gold & Silver rings and bracelets have even found their way onto their tusks and glitzy head plates crafted in authentic Rajasthani style flow from their foreheads. Their grooms are also handsomely dressed with jackets & colored turbans matching the  the elephants. And hey, there’s a prize for the best decorated elephant and groom as well, no wonder they’re all decked up!
The elephant festival kicks off in glamorous style with the beating of the Nagara & blowing of the Bankiya as well decked up elephants, camels and horse drawn carriages join the procession. This event not only celebrates the majesty of the elephants, but also highlights
races, elephant-polo matches and a most interesting tug of war between elephants and men, are all part of this spectacular event.

History:-

The Jataka stories of Buddhism refer to the tradition of Hastimangala (the Elephant Festival). A royal mount from time immemorial, the elephant has also been a symbol of strength and wealth. For the Rajput kings, the elephants were of especial significance not only during war but also during the royal festivities-a must at royal pageant. Nishan-ka-hathi, the flag carrier, led the procession. The king always mounted a caparisoned elephant. Special hunting programs and elephant fights were organized to entertain the royal guests. Jaipur was a favorite with the important personalities of the British Raj and the Maharajas always arranged for their guests of honor elephant rides up to the Amber palace. Even today, the mahouts take tourists up to the Amber Palace on elephant back.
Rajasthan Tourism revived the tradition by including the Elephant Festival in the cultural calendar. The present-day pageant, originated only a decade ago, was devised especially with the tourist in mind. The inclusion of the game of polo is more recent, being inspired by a cartoon in Punch magazine that showed the Indian polo team atop an elephant after it won all the international tournaments. Every year on the day after Holi, the old stadium at Jaipur, the Chaugan (originally planned for elephants), forms the venue for a spectacular jamboree

Celebrations:-

The famous Chaugan ground of Jaipur in Rajasthan makes the perfect venue for the occasion. Elephant Festival commences with an impressive procession of the majestic animals lovingly painted and tastefully attired with glittering ornaments and embroidered velvets marching towards the ground. They greet the visitors, offer garlands to the guests and walk past the ramp before a jury of experts and tourists to select the best amongst them for the ‘Best decorated Elephant’ Shield! Different competitions are organized to enjoy the festival to its full and the arena is brought alive with musician and dancer. Witness a game of elephant polo a newly-introduced sport. Though they lack the speed and ability of the polo ponies it is great fun to watch the enormous pachyderms moving around the field after the ball in great speed. To get a feel of their true strength join your hands with the ten add people in the tug-of-war with the largest elephant. Then there is the unique ‘Gaj Shringar’ exhibition displaying everything connected with the elephant-ornaments, textiles (Jhoo) parapernalic howdahs and carriages, paintings medicines and food. Here one can enjoy seeing Elephants at their best. The Elephant keepers (mahouts) decorate their Elephants from head to toe with an exceptional care. The 'Best Decorated Elephant' contest is another feature of this cultural fest.
A ceremonial procession is recreated with caparisoned elephants, lancers on horses, chariots, camels, cannons, and palanquins. Elephant is the centre of attraction in the many races and beauty pageants. Most of the participants are female elephants. The mahouts (elephant keepers) take great care to decorate the elephants painting their trunks, foreheads, and feet with floral motifs and adorning them from tusk to tail with interesting trinkets. Female elephants wear anklets with and make music as they walk.
Finally, the tourists are invited to mount the elephants and play Holi. Participants dance with great vigour and the excitement rising to a crescendo. A program of Dhaph and Gair dance to demonstrate the spirit of Holi and a dazzling display of fireworks complete the day leaving unforgettable memories. Come! Celebrate! You are most cordially welcome to the Elephant Festival of Rajasthan.
Although elephants are the main attraction of the festival, to add charm to the festivities, brightly bejeweled camels and horses with their masters seated on the saddle also take part in this remarkable festival. Traditional Rajasthani folk dancers enthrall the audience by their rhythmic dance
Importance of Festival:-
The festival begins with a fixed procession; while musicians play folk tunes and dancers revolve in a flurry of colours, richly caparisoned elephants march along in a procession This is followed by a 'most excellent ornamented elephant' competition, games of elephant polo, elephant races, a special 'elephant decoration' exhibition and a tug-of-war between humans and an elephant. No prizes for guessing who wins.
 All Elephants, are in graceful attire, full with glitter and gold. All the elephants attract the audience with their grand processions and ornamented trunks and tusks.
 The most visible feature of this festival is Elephant polo where, the players wear saffron and red turbans, sit on the elephants, and try to score goals with long sticks and a plastic football. Only female elephants take part in this festival. The Festival also provides platform for the folk custom of Rajasthan. The festivities finish with performances of folk dances; with a liberal splashing of Holi colours on all and various and a fantastic display of fireworks.
 Come to the festival and watch Jaipur come alive!
 The game of polo forms the emphasize of the Elephant Festival of Jaipur. Dressed in saffron and red turbans, the teams try to score goals with long sticks and a plastic football. Finally, the tourists are invited to mount the elephants and play Holi. Participants dance with great vigor-the excitement rising to a crescendo.
 Strangely, most of the participants are female elephants. The mahouts (elephant keepers) take great care to decorate the elephants - painting their trunks, foreheads and feet with floral motifs and decorating them from tusk to tail with exciting ornaments. The mahouts were employed in the Phil Khana, the department of elephant in the royal management. They played an important role until the princely state was incorporated into the Union and the department became surplus. They, however, have continued their connection with the elephants.
 
How it is celebrate Elephant Festival:-

The exclusive range of upcoming fairs and festivals Rajasthan consists of several cheerful events. Elephant polo, Elephant dance along with the eye-catching procession of aesthetically adorned horses, camels and folk dancers wins the heart of many visitors.
Elephant festival included in the Rajasthan festival list also embrace events like tug of war, worship of Elephant as Lord of Ganesha and much more activities performed by the locals.

What people do on Elephant Festival:-

Elephant festival is marked in the list of festivals of Rajasthan in March which includes many events. The festival has many things to do for tourists where they can treat their eyes with glorious visual sights of bedecked elephants with gulaal sprinkled over their head. Apart from sightseeing tourist can enjoy special tours in Rajasthan and take along with them some of the souvenirs from festival though shopping. Last but not the least, mouth-watering cuisine on the special occasion can also be the main attraction

How to Reach:-    
 
Air:- 
The Jaipur Airport is called Sanganer Airport. There are domestic flight connections to Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur and Udaipur. There is a single international flight to Dubai.

Train : -

 Connections are from Delhi, Agra, Mumbai ,Chennai, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ahmedabad. Well connected from other states like UP, MP.

Road : -

 A convenient mode of travel to Jaipur is by road. Regular bus service of AC and Deluxe Coaches are available