Holi - Festival Of Colors In India

by AuPair.comReading time: 2 min.

Holi is an important annual Hindu festival celebrated as the Festival of Colours and Love, and it honors the triumph of good over evil. It is celebrated in different ways in different parts of India, but the core value is the same - celebrating the triumph of good over evil. It is one of the most colorful and vibrant festivals in the country, where each of the participants can free themselves from all limitations. To the rhythm of the music, colored powders mixed with water are thrown on the people, who celebrate it by singing and dancing in the streets. Everyone is seen in blue, yellow, green, and pink during the Holi festival of colors and love.

History of the Holi Festival

Holi is a sacred ancient tradition of Hindus. The festival of colors lasts for a night and a day, starting on the evening of the last full moon in the lunar month of Phalguna, which falls around the middle of March in the Gregorian calendar. The Holi festival also celebrates the arrival of spring in India, the season of blossoming flowers. This ancient tradition marks the end of winter and honors the triumph of good over evil. Celebrants light bonfires, throw colorful powder called gulal at each other, eat sweets, drink, and dance to traditional folk music.

During this festival, Hindus and non-Hindus alike have fun by throwing colored water and powder at each other. Hindus believe it is a time to enjoy spring's abundant colors and say farewell to winter. To many Hindus, Holi festivities mark an occasion to reset and renew ruptured relationships, end conflicts, and rid themselves of accumulated emotional impurities from the past.

Holika Dahan - Burning Something Bad

The night before Holi is called Holika Dahan or "Chhoti Holi" whereby people gather around a lit bonfire, symbolizing the victory of good over evil, the removal of the old and the arrival of the new. Various rituals are performed around the fire such as singing and dancing. This ritual is derived from the story of Holika, who attempted to kill Prahlada, the son of Hiranyakashipu, through the flames of a bonfire. Although Holika was endowed with a boon to remain immune to fire, she was burned to ashes, while Prahlada remained unharmed.

Celebration

The morning of the Holi Festival is also known as Rangwali Holi (Dhulendi). People smear and drench each other with colors, and often use water guns and water-filled balloons. There are several groups carrying drums and other musical instruments, going from place to place, singing traditional Holi songs, and dancing.

Throughout the day people visit their family and friends. People come together to greet and enjoy traditional delicacies and drinks. Holi is also a festival of forgiveness and new starts, which ritually aims to generate harmony in society.

Traditional Delicacies and Drinks

Gujiya, Malpua, Rasmalai, Papdi Chaat, Dahi Bhalla, Dahi Vada, Chana Masala, Puran Poli, Besan Papdi, Lassi, and Thandai.

These are only a few of the traditional Holi delicacies that are prepared during the festival in almost every home. In fact, there is a sort of competition among women for making the best Holi dishes.

Braj Ki Holi

According to the mythology, in the Braj region of North India, the Holi festival celebrates the eternal and divine love of the deities Radha and Krishna.

Holi is of particular significance in the Braj region, which includes locations traditionally associated with Radha Krishna: Mathura, Vrindavan, Nandgaon, Barsana, and Gokula - the top attractions during the festival. Holi is predominantly celebrated in the Indian subcontinent but has also spread to other regions of Asia and parts of the Western world through the Indian diaspora.