Badi Holi, a place located inside Udaipur’s narrowed lanes is a major market place for hoisery products, clothing and utensils. Cluttered with numerous shops and residential buildings this area was named so because it used to be the main centre of Holika Dahan celebration.

Day before Dhulendi is when Holi is burnt commemorating the popular ancient tale of when Holika sat on pyre with Prahalad who was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Holika burnt alive while Prahalad was saved by the Lord.

Badi Holi in Udaipur is a place where biggest “Holika Dahan” has been taking place since the time of Maharana Fateh Singh of Mewar. During the reign of Maharana the height of holi used to go till 60 foots.

It is also said that, it was clearly visible from the City Palace and woods which were used in burning were gifted by Kings of those times.

“From older times till now our custom has not changed much, though the height of holi is decreased to 30 foot but still its is one of the highests in Udaipur.”, said Purshottam Mali, a resident of Badi Holi.

Huge mass gathers at Badi Holi to see the ritual, people of varied castes and beliefs contribute and participate in this event.

Satya Narayan Mali, President of Sagarvanshi Mali Samaj said “We are going to celebrate holi in the same manner like our forefathers did, that’s the important festival of our community and specially our area which is famously named after Holi – Badi Holi.”

“At the time of Maharanas only two Holika Dahan used to happen, one at the City Palace and second at Badi Holi. We used to dig and erect holi before one month of Holi on full moon night. Things have changed now but we are still trying to maintain our hundreds of year old tradition.”