Few festivals in the world are celebrated with as much enthusiasm across an entire country as Holi is in India. But Belagavi takes it a step further—it celebrates Holi not once, but twice within the span of a week!
This unique tradition is rooted in the city’s geographic and historical divide. While most of Belagavi marks Holi the day after the festival, the areas that were once under the Sangli presidency—Shahapur, Vadgaon, and Angol—celebrate it on the fifth day, known as Rang Panchami. This creates a rather fascinating situation.
For children and youngsters, it’s double the fun! But for many households, particularly women and daily commuters, it’s double the trouble. Over the years, there have been instances where school-going kids and office-goers have left home early just to cross the ‘border’ and avoid getting drenched on their way.
It might sound amusing now, but many students have had to write crucial exams—including SSLC papers—right in the middle of Holi celebrations!
The festive spirit, however, begins well before the big day. Ganpat Galli, Shahapur Khade Bazar, and Kirloskar Road transform into a vibrant marketplace, packed with stalls selling pichkaris, colorful masks, balloons, wigs, drag costumes, and an array of dry and water-based colors. Kids eagerly buy new pichkaris every year, ensuring their arsenal is ready.
With increasing awareness about water conservation, many now prefer dry colors over the once-popular ‘saree colors’ and ‘khadi colors’—especially in Shahapur-Vadgaon, where saree factories made these colors easily accessible in the past.
When the day finally arrives, the city erupts with excitement. The morning is filled with the laughter of children, revving of bikes, and streets teeming with color-smeared revelers. Youngsters, emboldened by the anonymity of their color-covered faces, zoom around on bikes, sometimes riding triple-seat, throwing water balloons, and shouting in celebration.
Deshmukh Road and RPD Cross have witnessed their own wild traditions—years ago, it was common to see hundreds of shirts hanging from overhead electricity wires, stripped from bikers passing through the area. Khadak Galli can’t be missed so are the celebrations at Pangul Galli.
While such antics have faded over time, women continue to celebrate in their own style—knocking on doors, pulling friends outside, and drenching them in color.
In recent years, organized Holi parties & Holi Milan at Vaccine Depot have gained popularity, bringing people together in designated areas with music and festivities. Meanwhile, police enforcement ensures that celebrations wind down by 1:00 p.m., allowing office-goers and daily commuters to move around freely afterward.
Across India, there are places where Holi is played for days on end. Whether it’s one day or many, Holi in Belagavi is all about joy, laughter, and unforgettable memories—stains included!
