A History of the Mahrattas v1.c9.103

v1.c9.103

front of every house. Much lewdness and licentious speech still characterize the celebration by the lower classes. Among the Marāthās the Vīr, or deified warriors, are ‘danced’ by their descendants, who walk round the Holī fire until they believe themselves possessed by the spirits of the dead. Upper-class Hindus throw coco-nuts and specially prepared cakes into the fire. In Native States, after the conclusion of the fire-ceremonies, a Darbar is held, at which red powder and coloured water are sprinkled over the Sardārs and chief officials. This ceremony, called Rangpanchami, marks the end of the festival. W. Crooke states that ‘there seems to be some reason to believe that the intention to promote the fertility of men, animals and crops, supplies the basis of the rites’ (‘The Holi: a Vernal Festival of the Hindus,’ by Crooke in Folklore, vol. xxv, March 1914, pp. 55–83.)]