Cultural performances are an important part of Holi celebrations by the Jodhpur royal family. Some rituals and traditions have remained unchanged since ages but ceremonies are more lavish now
After Mathura and Vrindavan, it is Rajasthan that’s a must-include destination on every traveller’s itinerary for Holi. Celebrations, customs and traditions change with every kilometre you travel. But the binding thread is hospitality. We bet, you will find a home in every region of the state. In most of the towns, the tradition of celebration hasn’t changed. Most royal families in Rajasthan are known for their lavish but traditional Holi. Maharaja Gaj Singh of Jodhpur maintains that each year festival celebrations spread joy in the entire city.
It is said that in earlier years, Holi gave an opportunity to the people of the city to meet and greet the maharaja. Since time immemorial, Holi celebrations by the Jodhpur royal gharana are famous across the world. Some references to celebrations during the time of Maharaja Takht Singh are found in Khyat.
Faag bhi aswari hathi re haude viraj sire bazaar hoy padhari,Jaga jaga rang ka kadaav bharijiya.
Gulal ri ne Gulab re fulan ri dadiyan bawta thaka ne munda aage rang ka band chut-ta mahamandir dakhal huwa,
Uthe pan rang ra haud bharijia tha so baag me khushi huwi
Takht Singh used to take his seat on gold lion-faced throne at Daulat Khana Chauk in the fort on Holi. Dupattas from various temples used to arrive as a token of respect. After tilak aarti was performed by rajvyas, rajpurohit, the ceremony nazar nichrawal by jagirdaar, mutsadi, khawas paaswano used to take place. This darbar continued till late night. Dandiya was performed to mark the festivity at Daulat Khana Chowk. Takht Singh watched the performance from Fateh Mahal’s window.
In 1913, Takht Singh went to Baodi of Gaayan Magrayji (Pardayat) through Balsamand and sat at the Pol’s upper room. All maharaj kumars, bhabha, umrav, mutsadi khwas paaswano also went with the maharaja. They played Holi with colours and flower garlands were gifted to the maharaja. After lunch maharaja wore the traditional jewels and cloak and sat on the elephant seat and entered the fort through Fateh pol.
On every Holi Pushkarna Bhahmin engaged themselves in swang and were given Rs100 by the maharaja as goth. During the time of Maharaja Vijay Singh, the festival was elebrated at Kishanlal Temple.The festival had literary significance for Maharaja Man Singh. He wrote many faag and horiyan.
During the reign of Takht Singh Holi was celebrated at Moti Mhaal Chowk. Colours were distributed on maharaja’s behalf. Brass syringes were especially made available for ranis and maharanis. Holi was played separately by men and women.Naazar used to guard the janana deodi. On one side of the courtyard dholaniyan used to sing songs to mark the arrival of spring. Other ladies used to sing and dance too.
Dholaniyan (traditional maand female singer) and patriyan (dancers) used to play colours with the royal family. They would put colours on the toe-nails as a symbolic gesture. They were given gifts and money after that. When maharaja used to enter the janana deodi with janana sardars, everyone used to bow down to greet him. Ranis and maharanis offered liquor to maharaja and they were gifted mohars.
Special privilege was given to the maids of the royal family. They used to lock up the door of the royal room and would not open the door until they were given goth by maharaja and maharani.The poshaqs ranis wore while playing colours were given to nayan (barber’s wife) and neg (cash award) was given to kumhars (potters) for filling water.Many cultural performances were organised on Holi. Maharaja’s fag ki sawari was welcomed by the people.State level Holi festival celebration was arranged in Rai Ka Bagh Palace and Ratanada Palace. The festival was celebrated there by the members of the royal family.
Holi pujan
Earlier Holi manglan (Holika dahan) was performed at Suraj Pol. later it was done at Dhana-Bheeyan Chhatri. In present times the venue is Jai Pol. A thaal containing coconut, supari, moli, rice, kumkum, gud, chana, fulia and flower garland ishanded over to raj joshi to perform the rituals. Holi dahan is performed and the jwala (flame) of Holi dahan is worshipped. The ceremony is attended by the maharaja.
Rana’s sawari from the fort
As mentioned in the Hakikat Bahi of Vijay Singh, sawari of rana used to start from Shringar Chowk and travelled to Suraj Pol, loha Pol, Imarti Pol, ending at Fateh Pol.
This sawari ofrana was been of historical relevance. Rao Ridmal was killed as a result of a conspiracy in Marwar. Due to this the people of Marwar were angry with Mewar and were dissatisfied with them, hence a tradition began of taking out the sawari of rana to depict the anger. people used to throw seven stones or pebbles on the rana. This was symbolic of removal of sadness, illness. But this tradition has not been followed in the last 300 years.
To lower down the stature of maharana, Marwar’s dholis were termed as rana. Even today the bheels of village are called maji rana.The custom of throwing stones continued later. People visited the site of Rawan dahan to throw seven stones in the flame. This was also symbolic of removal of sadness. People used to say Raavanji Raavanji maan ja to that effigy and then they used to reply Ni manuga rajaji and threw stones equal to the number of their family members at the effigy.
It is said that in Jaipur people used to throw stones at each other’s houses on Ganesh Chaturthi. But because stones were injuring people, fruits were opted to be thrown as replacement. At present this is not followed.
Even in present times the Holi is celebrated with all the traditions and customs by the royal family. Maharaja wears faguniya feta. Big tubs are filled with colours and kept in the backyard of Umaid Bhawan. At present, male and feamles play Holi together. Thandayi is offered during the colour play. Dandiya and other cultural performances are a part of celebrations.