RANGPANCHMI CELEBRATIONS IN NASHIK

          Rangpanchmi is a festival of colors celebrated in India. Rest of India celebrates it on the Dhulivandan but Nashik celebrates on Rangpanchami. "Rang" means color in Indian language and panchami means 5^th day after full moon according to Indian calendar.

Nashik is an ancient heritage city whose history dates back from Ramayana period, it is a temple town with traditions and cultures rooted deeply in the city. Rahaad tradition is also a unique and old tradition followed by nashikkites from the peshwa era. 

Rahaad means a big pool filled with coloured water, it’s constructed all over Nashik city. There were total 18 or them from which 3 still remain. One Rahaad was recently found out this Rangpanchmi so now the tally goes to 4.

These four Rahaads are located in “Shani chowk” in Panchavati, “delhii Darwaja”,” Tiwandha Chowk” and recently found Rahaad in Old Tambat lane. Each Rahaad has its own characteristic colour. Shani chowk rahad has pink coloured water, Rahaad at Delhi Darwaja has yellow, Tiwanda Chowk has orange and newly found at Old Tambat lane has been given a “Bhagwa” or saffron colour.

                The Rahaad's were constructed in stone masonry and on an average 15 x 15 feet and 8 feet deep with steps to go inside.

The work of opening a Rahaad starts way before Rangpanchami, the Rahaad has to be excavated every year as every year after Rangpanchami the Rahaad is filled with mud, wooden planks and other stuff and packed. So before Rangpanchami this is excavated once again and cleaned thoroughly. After cleaning the pooja or worship of Rahaad is done. After that its ready to play the festival of colors.

 No celebration is complete without music, so how can Rangapanchami celebrations be done without playing music!! In old days the "dhol-tasha" being traditional music would be played and the people would rock to the tunes, now a days various DJ’s along with "dhol-tasha" are used to rock the moves. A nassshikar is not complete without taking a dip into a Rahaad. The colors used in rahaad are natural ones made from flowers and plants. The old people of nashik says that a dip in water is considered healthy as the water contains medicinal properties.

The word rahad comes from the Marathi word “Raada” meaning riots as due to huge gathering of people some riots used to happen.

                It’s a real unique tradition of Nashikkites, so do visit Nashik on this day and be a part of this unique celebrations. While celebrating better remember that safety is first always. 

Thank you.