Significance of Rang Panchami

Rang Panchami is commemorated after 5 days of holi celebration which is a Hindu festivity of fun and colours. It is considered as one of the important religious festivals in Indian states- Maharashtra, Bihar, Uttar-Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and other parts of Northern India. In accordance with Hindu and Gregorian calendar, this festival would be observed the fifth day of the Krishna Paksha, the waning phase of the moon during the Hindu month of ‘Phalgun.’

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Rang Panchami Date and Tithi

Basically, the word ‘Rang’ signifies ‘color’ and ‘Panchami’ means the fifth day, therefore it is known to be celebrated merely after the 5th day of the Holi festival. In 2019, Rang Panchami would be celebrated on 25th March (Monday).

Panchami Tithi Begins = 20:51 on 24/Mar/2019
Panchami Tithi Ends = 19:59 on 25/Mar/2019

Now you must be having a question on what exactly Rang Panchami is! It is very similar to Holi and is celebrated by throwing Gulal and splashing coloured water on people.

Significance of Rang Panchami

Rang Panchami has highly religious significance for the Hindus and is considered to be an important ritual. As all of us know, Holika Dahan – the puja done a day before Holi is associated with lilting a huge fire. The fire which is lit during Holi purifies all the rajasic as well as tamasic particles that are present in the atmosphere. It creates a pure aura in the surroundings and fills the atmosphere with tremendous positivity which helps activate various Deities in the form of colors. Hence, Rang Panchami is a celebration to express the bliss of the purification. Thus, Rang Panchami is a symbol of victory over Rajas and tamas and respects the ‘Panch Tatva’ which builds up the universe (earth, light, water, sky and wind). It is believed that the human body is also made of the five elements. The festival of Rang Panchami invokes these five basic elements which help to restore balance in life. Rang Panchami is intrinsically a sign of triumph over raja-tama and is an invitation to divinities. The veneration on the day of Rang panchami are carried out to revere the incarnated forms of god-heads with a special set of ceremonial rituals.

Celebrations of Rang Panchami

Many confuse Rang Panchami with Holi, though it is observed in a similar way, and celebrated for a quite different reason. Let’s discuss the type of celebration in different ways.

- In this festival usually in Indore and Maharashtra, a procession headed by a water tank with high pressure jet, two ceremonial cannons, and a camel circumambulator the town. It colours everyone in the street. Especially in Indore thousands of people gather in front of Rajwada to get coloured by the canon. Bhang and alcohol intensify the heightened sensations of these exuberant communities. 

-Locals of Maharashtra also know Holi with the names- Shimga or Shimgo. The festival is particularly popular among fisher folk. They celebrate it in on a large scale and revel in the festivities by singing, dancing and merry-making. These special dances provide those 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.
-Hindu devotees at some places also worship Lord Krishna and Radha on this day. They perform puja rituals to pay homage to the divine union between Krishna and Radha. This festival is also believed to spark and maintain the love amongst people.
-A traditional Palkhi dance is supposed to be the most enchanting part of the Rang panchami revelry almost in every corner of the country, majorly by the fishing tribes and communities.
-In the temples of Bihar, Vrindavan, Delhi and Mathura, the gaiety of Rang Panchami is a worth watch. The specialty of the splendor includes- playing colors, eating sweetmeats, meeting relative and dancing on religious songs etc.
-The tourists and enthusiasts play holi vividly and enthusiastically across the country with numerous rituals and customs around.

Wishing you all a colorful, contented and bright Rang Panchami; celebrate the festivity with great enthusiasm and joy this fresh year by spreading the color of splendor and happiness all around.