Key Points:
- Rangotsav celebrated nationwide on March 14; Holika Dahan observed on March 13.
- Indore renowned for its grand Ger festival during Rangpanchami, five days after Holi.
- Ger tradition dates back to the Holkar royal era, celebrated for over 70 years.
- Thousands participate in vibrant processions featuring colour cannons, water tankers, and music.
- Ger procession route includes iconic landmarks like Rajwada and Tori Corner.
Indore: On March 14, vibrant celebrations of Rangotsav filled every corner of India with colors and joy, following the traditional Holika Dahan rituals performed a day earlier. While Holi festivities conclude nationwide with Rangpanchami, Indore stands apart with its unique and grand celebration known as the Ger festival, marking the city’s cultural identity.
What is Ger Festival?
The term “Ger” originates from the Hindi word “Gher,” meaning “to surround.” True to its name, the festival involves people joyfully surrounding each other to playfully drench participants in vibrant colors. This tradition has been celebrated with fervor in Indore for over seven decades, tracing its roots back to the era of the Holkar rulers. According to locals, royal family members would mingle with common citizens during Holi celebrations, creating a sense of community and unity.
Shekhar Giri, representing the third generation of his family involved in organizing Ger festivities, recalls how his ancestors initiated this colorful tradition around 70 years ago. At Indore’s historic Tori Corner, a huge cauldron filled with colors was traditionally placed early in the morning on Rangpanchami. Passersby were playfully surrounded by celebrants and immersed in vibrant hues before joining a colorful procession heading towards Rajwada Palace.
Today, Indore’s iconic Ger festival has evolved into a mesmerizing spectacle attracting thousands of participants from all walks of life. On March 19th this year, the city will once again witness an extraordinary display of colors and enthusiasm. Starting at around 11 AM, multiple Phag Yatras (colorful processions) converge from various neighborhoods toward Rajwada the historical heart of Indore where revelers joyously drench each other with gulal (colored powder), water cannons, color fountains, and massive water tankers.
The event sees enthusiastic participation from families, women, children, and youth alike. With music blaring from DJs and traditional dhol beats echoing through city streets, participants dance their way through routes adorned with color cannons and pressure fountains spraying vibrant gulal into the sky.
Prominent organizing committees such as Gair Tori Corner Mahotsav Samiti, Sangam Corner Committee, Moral Club, Rasiya Corner Group, Radhakrishna Phaag Yatra among others lead these colorful processions. The festive routes traverse prominent city landmarks including Kailash Marg Rajmohalla, Sangam Corner, Gorakund Square, Rajwada Palace area, Bada Sarafa Market, Itwaria Bazaar before culminating back at Tori Corner.
Efforts are underway to gain UNESCO recognition for Indore’s Ger festival as an intangible cultural heritage due to its historical significance and widespread community involvement.
As Indore gears up for another unforgettable Rangpanchami celebration on March 20th, residents eagerly await to immerse themselves once again in a joyous sea of colors celebrating unity, tradition, and cultural pride like nowhere else in India.
