ABGRemona5804008: put up some details v1 - done

2025-07-10T21:55:55Z

put up some details v1 - done

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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2025}}
{{Short description|Traditional element of Holi in Jaipur}}
The '''Gulaal Gota''' ([[Hindi]]: गुलाल गोटा, lit. 'color ball') is a small, [[spherical]] container made from [[Lac (resin)|lac]], filled with dry [[Gulal]] powder, used for celebrating the [[Hindu festival]] of [[Holi]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mehta |first1=Ashish |title=Social media drives demand for Jaipur's special gulal gota |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/social-media-drives-demand-for-jaipurs-special-gulal-gota/articleshow/108741297.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=24 March 2024}}</ref> It is a traditional element of Holi celebrations in [[Jaipur]], [[Rajasthan]], India, with a history dating back around 300 or 400 years.<ref name=Indianexpress>{{cite news |last1=Kulshrestha |first1=Parul |title=On Holi, a look at Jaipur's traditional celebrations with 'Gulaal Gota' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-culture/holi-tradition-jaipur-gulaal-gota-history-9229158/ |newspaper=[[Indian Express]] |date=22 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Tiwari |first1=Khushendra |title=क्या है गुलाल गोटा, जयपुर की होली को खास बनाने वाली यह परपंरा 400 साल पुरानी |url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/state/rajasthan/jaipur/what-is-gulal-gota-jaipur-holi-2023-now-demand-increased-traditional-royal-family/articleshow/98254563.cms?story=7 |publisher=[[Navbharat Times]] |date=26 February 2023 |language=Hindi}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Shukla |first1=Richa |title=Gulaal gota makes a comeback |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/relationships/love-sex/gulaal-gota-makes-a-comeback/articleshow/32015366.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=15 March 2024}}</ref>

== History ==
The use of Gulal Gotas can be traced back to the time of the erstwhile [[Kingdom of Amber|Jaipur royal family]]. According to legends, Gulal Gotas were a favoured way for the royals to play Holi. These handcrafted balls are made by the [[Muslims|Muslim]] artisan community known as [[Manihar]]s in Jaipur.<ref name=Indianexpress/><ref>{{cite news |title=Rajasthan: Traditional 'Gulal Gota' preparations begin in Jaipur ahead of Holi |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/rajasthan-traditional-gulal-gota-preparations-begin-in-jaipur-ahead-of-holi20240321062824/ |publisher=[[Asian News International]] |date=21 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Muslim families busy making gulal gota for Holi |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/muslim-families-busy-making-gulal-gota-for-holi/articleshow/108720161.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=23 March 2024}}</ref>

The Indian government has provided "artisan cards" to artisans of Gulaal Gota, granting them access to various benefits under government schemes. There is demand from Gulaal Gota makers who have asked for a [[Geographical indication|Geographical Indication]] (GI) tag to safeguard their product and promote its unique regional identity.<ref name=Indianexpress/>

== Production ==
The [[Lac (resin)|lac]], a resin secreted by [[lac insect]]s, is sourced from regions like [[Chhattisgarh]] and [[Jharkhand]].<ref name=Indianexpress/> The artisans begin by boiling the lac in water to make it pliable. This softened lac is then shaped and coloured, with red, yellow, and green being the base colours used for further combinations. Once shaped and coloured, the lac is heated and blown into a small sphere with the help of a special tool called a Phunkni (blower). The final step involves filling these hollow lac spheres with dry gulal powder before sealing them. The production process is entirely manual and requires skilled artisans.<ref name=Indianexpress/>

== Holi ==
During Holi celebrations, people throw Gulaal Gotas at each other. Upon impact, the lac shell breaks, releasing the coloured powder and creating an explosion of colour. Compared to throwing loose gulaal powder, Gulaal Gotas offer a more controlled and targeted way to play with colours.<ref name=Indianexpress/>

There are concerns about the continuity of this tradition as younger generations may not be as interested in pursuing this craft.<ref name=Indianexpress/>

== See also ==
* [[Gulal]]
* [[Holi]]
* [[Lac (resin)]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCR667RynyE Gulaal Gota for holi in Jaipur], aired on [[DD News]] in 2014
* [https://www.gaonconnection.com/lead-stories/holi-gota-gulaal-rajasthan-jaipur-muslim-artisans-culture-india-rajput-rulers-51776 Jaipur’s Centuries Old Tradition of ‘Gulaal Gota’ Holi]

[[Category:Insect products]]
[[Category:Holi]]
[[Category:Jaipur]]
[[Category:Culture of Jaipur]]
[[Category:Economy of Jaipur]]
[[Category:Rajasthani arts]]
[[Category:Culture of Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Indian handicrafts]]
[[Category:Geographical indications in Rajasthan]]

Gulaal Gota - Revision history

ABGRemona5804008: put up some details v1 - done