Kullu's Unique 40-Day Holi Begins on Basant Panchami with Ancient Traditions

• Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, celebrates a unique 40-day Holi starting from Basant Panchami, unlike other parts of the country.
• The celebration is linked to the Vairagi community, who daily sing Holi songs at Lord Raghunath's court during Holashtak.
• Vairagis, who came from Ayodhya with Lord Raghunath, sing traditional songs from Awadh and Braj dialects using instruments like Manjari and Dafli.
• During Holashtak, Lord Raghunath grants special darshan to Vairagis on Dwadashi Tithi, seated on Kamalasan.
• After Holika Dahan, a special puja is held where Vairagis sing the year's final Holi songs to Lord Raghunath.