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According to the Hindu calendar, Krishna Paksha Panchami of Chaitra month is celebrated as Ranga Panchami. Ranga Panchami is also known as Krishna Panchami and Deva Panchami. Ranga Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day of Holi. Ranga Panchami is mainly dedicated to Lord Shri Krishna.
Five types of Panchami dates are considered most important in Hindu religious texts, which include Nag Panchami, Kunwara Panchami, Rishi Panchami, Vasant Panchami and Ranga Panchami.
According to beliefs, Lord Shri Krishna and Radha Rani played Holi with colors on the occasion of Ranga Panchami. That is why, on this day all the deities come to earth to play Holi with colors. Therefore, people throw colors, Gulala etc. in nature to get the blessings of the Gods and Goddesses who come to celebrate the festival of colors on Earth, on Ranga Panchami.
The festival of Ranga Panchami is celebrated with great pomp and show by the devotees of Shri Radha Rani and Lord Shri Krishna. On the day of Ranga Panchami, special Jhanki are seen in Krishna temples, in which Lord Shri Krishna is shown playing Holi with Shri Radha Rani. On this day, various types of delicious dishes are prepared in homes according to regional traditions.
Holi is one of the most popular Hindu festivals, Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over India. In some specific areas of India, the Rangotsava of Holi is celebrated on the same day as Ranga Panchami. On this occasion people apply Gulala to each other and celebrate. In fact, in various areas like Mathura, Vrindavan, Indore and Rajasthan etc., the festival of Ranga Panchami is celebrated with the same enthusiasm and joy as Holi.
According to Purnimanta Hindu calendar
Krishna Paksha Panchami of Chaitra lunar month
Following are the main rituals and activities performed on the occasion of Ranga Panchami -
Ranga Panchami in Braj - In the Braj region, mainly in Mathura-Vrindavan, the special five-day Holi festival ends in temples on the day of Ranga Panchami and after offering Gulal to Shri Radha-Krishna in the temples, Abir-Gulal is sprinkled on the devotees. On Ranga Panchami, Gulal Holi is organized in Shri Ranga Nath Temple located in Vrindavan and a grand procession is taken out by the temple, under which the temple servants ride on elephants and spread Gulal all over Vrindavan. Especially here on Ranga Panchami, people enjoy Bhang ki Thandai, Gujhiya, Jalebi and Gadd ki Sabji with Puri.
Ranga Panchami in Madhya Pradesh - On the occasion of Ranga Panchami, the festival is celebrated on a very large scale in Madhya Pradesh. The Ranga Panchami festival here is famous all over the world. In areas like Indore and Malwa, on this day, along with special tableaux, thousands of Huriyaras come out on the streets and blow fragrant colors with huge pumps, due to which there is a charming atmosphere all around. Even, municipal fire fighting vehicles are filled with fragrant colors and thrown on the Gera (Holi procession). This celebration is known as "Gera" in the region. Along with Rangotsava, various types of dances, music and dramas are also organized in the capital Bhopal. On this occasion in Madhya Pradesh, dishes like Bhang ki Thandai, Papdi, Aloo Bade and Bhajiya etc. are prepared.
On Ranga Panchami in Ujjain, devotees play Holi with Baba Mahakala with fragrant colors made from Tesu flowers and sandalwood, saffron etc. in the Mahakal temple. Here, after worshiping Mahakala, a procession is taken out with elephants, horses, camels, chariots, silver flags and Vijaya Pataka (victory flags), in which weapons arts are also demonstrated. Many devotees, after their wishes are fulfilled, offer the flag to Baba Mahakala temple, and come out carrying it as a Vijaya Pataka. Before leaving with the Vijaya Pataka, the flag is ritually worshiped in front of Mahakal's commander Veerbhadra. This is the only day when a continuous stream of colors is offered to the Mahakal Jyotirlingara during the Aarti.
Ranga Panchami in Chhattisgarh - Similar to Barsana's Lathmar Holi, Chhadimar Holi is organized in Pantora village, located at 45 km from Janjgir, Chhattisgarh. Here it is celebrated as Dhoola Panchami. On this occasion, unmarried girls of the village come out in groups in the village with traditional Mandal (local drums) and play Holi by hitting all the men with sticks, in response to which the men shower colors and Gulal on them. This stick is brought from the Madwarani forest by the men of the village and in this only the stick which breaks from the branch in one blow is used. After offering prayers at the Madwarani Mata Temple situated in the village, first of all the girls symbolically hit the deities here with sticks, after which the auspicious beginning of this festival begins.
Ranga Panchami in Rajasthan - Holi festival ends on the day of Ranga Panchami in Rajasthan. Mainly a grand festival is celebrated in the temple of Jaisalmer Palace in Rajasthan and various types of folk dances are organized. Colors are thrown in all directions. Fairs are also organized in some areas. On the occasion of Ranga Panchami in Pushkar, a person is given the form of a King, and a procession is also organised.
Ranga Panchami in Mewar - In the famous Krishnadhama Charbhujanatha Temple of Mewar, Ranga Panchami Thakurji is shown playing Holi by filling colors in a silver pitcher and gold-silver Kalash. On this day, after offering 56 Bhoga to Thakurji, a new flag is hoisted on the peak of the temple. Thereafter, in the afternoon, water is brought in a golden pot and Thakurji is bathed. Thereafter, Thakurji's (in His childhood form) is brought from the sanctorum to the temple premises. On this day, Priests sings a traditional composition known as Harajas and Rangotsava is celebrated with great joy.
Ranga Panchami in Maharashtra - In Maharashtra too, the festival of Ranga Panchami is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm. Especially in the fishermen community, on the occasion of Ranga Panchami, programs like group dance etc. are organized and the people of the community visit each other's houses and wish them for the festival. In the fishermen community, this festival is also considered important for fixing marriages and on this day people also take marriage proposals to the desired families. In Maharashtra, mainly Puranpoli, Basundi, Papada and Amti along with Chawal etc. are the main dishes of Ranga Panchami.
Ranga Panchami in Goa-Konkan - Ranga Panchami is celebrated as Shimgo in Goa-Konkan. On this day, grand processions and various types of literary, cultural, and mythological programs are organized in Panjim, in which a large number of people participate. Here, along with sweets, a non-vegetarian dish called Shagoti is mainly prepared on this occasion. Shimgo is also known as Shigmo, Shimga , Shishirotsava and Shimgotsava.
Ranga Panchami is not a mandatory gazetted holiday in India. Although generally in Madhya Pradesh one day local holiday is celebrated on the day of Ranga Panchami.
To know when is the upcoming Ranga Panchami falling, please visit the page related to the date and time of Ranga Panchami.
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