Ranga Panchami (Sanskrit: रङ्गपञ्चमी, Raṅgapañcamī) is a Hindu festival observed on the Panchami (fifth day) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Phalguna, falling on the fifth day after Holi. The festival forms part of the wider spring colour celebrations in several regions of India.
The observance is marked by the sprinkling and smearing of coloured powders, similar in spirit to Holi. A distinguishing feature of Ranga Panchami is the additional practice of splashing coloured water on one another, which forms the central public activity of the day.
The festival is believed to have originated in Maharashtra, where it is also referred to as Shimga. In certain localities, small processions are organised in which an image of a deity is carried through the streets; the procession typically concludes with the immersion of the image in a nearby river or pond.
Ranga Panchami is widely celebrated in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka, where it remains a prominent community event in the days following Holi.
Adapted from the English Wikipedia article on Ranga Panchami.