PHALGUNA or Phalgun, the 11th month of the Hindu year, is one of the Hindu months of spring or Vasant. At Udaipur the merry month of Phalgun was ushered in with the ahairea or spring-hunt. The preceding day, the rana used to distribute to all his chiefs and servants either a dress of green or some portion thereof, in which all appear habited on the morrow, whenever the astrologer has fixed the hour for sallying forth to slay the boar, to Gouri, the Ceres of the Rajputs ; the ahairea is therefore called the Muhurut-ka shikar, or the chase fixed astrologically. As their success on this occasion is ominous of future good, no means were neglected to secure it, either by scouts previously discovering the lair, or the efforts of the hunters to slay the boar when roused. As Phalgun advances, the bacchanalian mirth increases ; groups are continually patrolling the streets, throwing a crimson powder at each other, or ejecting a solution of it from syringes, so that the garments and visages of all are one mass of crimson. On the 8th, emphatically called the Phag, the rana joined the queens and their attendants in the palace, when all restraint is removed, and mirth is unlimited. But the most brilliant sight is the playing of the Holi on horse back, on the terrace in front of the palace. Each chief who chooses to join has a plentiful supply of missiles, formed of thin plates of mica or talc, enclosing the crimson powder called abira, which with dexterous horsemanship they dart at each other, pursuing, caprioling, and jesting. This part of it much resembles the Saturnalia of Rome of this day, when similar missiles are scattered at the Carnival. The last day, or Poonim, ends the Holi, when the nakarra drums from the Tripolia summon all the chiefs with their retinues to attend their prince, and accompany him in procession to the Chougan, their Champ de Mars. In the centre of this is a long sala or hall, the ascent to which is by a flight of steps ; the roof is supported by square columns without any walls, so that the court is entirely open. The festival of Holi, more classically called Hulica, otherwise Phalgutsava, meaning the festival of Phalguna, as occurring in the month of that name, commences about the full moon, at the approach of the vernal equinox. It is one of the greatest festivals among the Hindus, and almost all sects seem to partake in its festivities ; and all ranks, from kings down ward, appear animated by the season, which is peculiarly dedicated to Krishna. Images of this
deity are then carried about in palkees, and on elephants, horses, etc., attended by music and singing and various antics. People of condition receive numerous visitors, who are entertained with dancing girls, music, singing, betel, and rose water. An annual festival to celebrate the birth of this god is held in the month Bhadra. On this day his worshippers fast, hut on the conclusion of the worship indulge themselves in music, dancing, singing, and various other festivities. In the month Sravana another festival is held in his honour, which lasts from three to five days, during which the same festivities prevail ; to which is added the ceremony of swinging the image of the god in a chair suspended from the ceiling. In the month Kartika, a third festival takes place, to celebrate his revels among the Gopia ; and in the month Phalguna is also held the celebrated festival of the Dola, the ceremonies of which last fifteen days, and are accompanied with great splendour and festivity. During these holidays, the Hindus of Northern India spend the night in singing and dancing, and wandering about the streets, besmeared with the dola (a red) powder ; in the daytime, carrying a quantity of the same powder about with them, which, with much noise and rejoicing, they throw over the different passengers they may meet in their rambles. Music, dancing, fireworks, singing, and many obscenities take place on this occasion. The Rev. Mr. Ward says :—` At these times, the grey-headed idolator and the mad youth arc seen dancing together, the old man lifting up his withered arms in the dance, and giving a kind of horror to the scene, which idolatry itself, united to the vivacity of youth, could scarely be able to inspire.' Krishna is also worshipped under his infant form as Gopala and Bala-gopala, and again as Gopi-natha, the god of the milkmaids. In the picture of Krishna, observes Sir William Jones, it is impossible not to discover at the first glance the features of Apollo, surnamed Nomios or the pastoral in Greece, and Opifir in Italy, who fed the herds of Admetus, and slew the serpent Pythou.—Tod's Rajasthan, i. p. 567.