Holi is celebrated with the same fervour and charm in Bihar as in
rest of north India. Here too, the legend of Holika is prevalent. On the eve
of Phalgun Poornima, people light bonfires. They put dung cakes, wood of
Araad or Redi tree and Holika tree, grains from the fresh harvest and
unwanted wood leaves in the bonfire. Following the tradition people also
clean their houses for the day.
At the time of Holika people assemble near the fire. The eldest member or a
purohit initiates the lighting. He then smears others with colour as a mark
of greeting. Next day the festival is celebrated with colours and lot of
frolic.
Children and the youth take extreme delight in the festival. Though the
festival is usually played with colours at some places people also enjoy
playing holi with mud. Folk songs are sung at high pitch and people dance to
the tune of dholak and the spirit of Holi.
Intoxicating bhang is consumed with a variety of mouth watering delicacies
such as pakoras and thandai to enhance the mood of the festival.
