In Maharashtra Holi is celebrated is known as Rang Panchami and celebrated with great enthusiasm. Rang Panchami or Shimga comes on the 5th day after Holi Purnima. Rang panchami 2010 is being celebrated on 5th March 2010. Holi 2010 was celebrated on 1st March.
With Maharashtra Rang Panchami is also celebrated in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Thane, Amravati, Nashik, and Kolhapur. On this day grand celebrations take place there. The celebrations reach up to the peak during Holi. Before performing Kamadahan custom, the statues of ‘Manmadh’ and ‘Rathi’ are taken out in processions.[smartads]
The statues of Holika are burnt by people to show the victory of good on bad. Its ashes are dispersed among the people. In Maharashtra the colorful festival is celebrated not on Holi but on Ranga Panchami.
In Vrindavan, Vasantotsav starts on the day of Holi festival and finishes on the day of Ranga Panchami with Lord Krishna puja. In Kolhapur Holi is celebrated as ‘Mahalakshmi Jayanti’ Mahalakshmi Temple.
