People believe that Holi celebrations in Vrindavan and Mathura are the best. Well, if you talk to a Kanpuriya, they will tell you otherwise! Since 1942, Kanpur has been celebrating Ganga Mela, a seven-day Holi celebration and the vibe of this festivity is simply unmatchable! Now, if you’re wondering how this celebration came into existence, then keep scrolling on to know more.
Why Is Holi Celebrated For 7 Days In Kanpur?
Whether it’s Mathura’s Lathmar Holi or Vrindavan’s fascinating celebration with flowers, the festival of colours has its unique celebration across India! However, it’s Kanpur’s Ganga Mela that stands out the most for us. Why? Well, because the reason for this celebration goes beyond culture and religion!
For over eight decades now, Kanpur has been celebrating Holi for seven days and this celebration is called Ganga Mela. This unique Holi celebration traces its origins to the traders’ freedom movement of 1942. Despite the British authorities’ ban, people celebrated the Holi festival in full spirits and even unfurled the tricolour at Rajjan Babu Park in Hatia Bazar. When the British officials tried to take the flag down, the young Indians opposed and a clash occurred between them.
After that, the British authorities arrested and imprisoned 45 individuals. They even arrested revolutionary youth like the Late Gulab Chandra Seth, Budhulal Mehrotra, Naveen Sharma, Vishwanath Tandon, Hameed Khan, and Giridhar Sharma.
To show their protest against the arrests, Kanpur’s entire market shut down. Reportedly, locals, traders, workers, and writers united in a campaign against the then-British government. On the fifth day of Holi, marked by the Anuradha Nakshatra, the 45 revolutionaries were released. It is said that the entire Kanpur came outside the jail to welcome the rebels. Upon their release, people applied colours to their faces, marking the beginning of this historic celebration.
Ganga Mela, An Eight Decade-Old Tradition Of Kanpur
Ganga Mela is also known as the ‘second Holi’ in Kanpur. It is celebrated on the 5th or the 7th day of the Holi festival. Kanpuriyas celebrate it on the auspicious day of ‘Anuradha Nakshatra’.
According to Republic World, during Ganga Mela, the people of Kanpur host a vibrant cart-based parade. This parade procession starts at Hatia Market. It passes through various historic neighbourhoods, including Nayaganj and Chowk Sarafa. It finally comes to an end at 2 PM at Rajjan Babu Park in Hatia.
In the evening, the Ganga Mela continues at Sarsaiya Ghat. People from all over the city come together to take part in this eight-decade-old Holi celebration.
This year, the Ganga Mela in Kanpur will be celebrated between March 13 and 19.
Also Read: 8 Visa-Free Destinations Indians Can Explore Around Holi Long Weekend
How is Holi celebrated in your city? Let us know in the comments.
Cover Image Courtesy: X/@sachin_mi1 & X/@Pranjal_sahu111
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