A Burst of Colorful Joy: Celebrating Holi!

Every year, the Holi celebration takes place with lot of joy and brings a rainbow of chalk to the streets of India. The night before Holi, the Holika bonfire is lit, bringing people together for an evening of music and dance. The bonfire is replaced the next day by a chaotic carnival of colour. Where players chase one other with powder and coloured water as weapons. The festival’s intention is to bring together strangers, uniting the rich and poor, men and women, children and elders people with full bounty at the time of Holi. This year, the festival of Holi will be celebrated on March 8 with Chhoti Holi being marked on March 7.

The Night of the Bonfires

Holi is the festival of colours, joy and mostly celebrated as the victory of good over evil, and the triumph of devotion and faith. On the first evening, which is know and celebrated as Holika Dahan, the logs of wood are lit into a holy fire, it is celebrated on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Phalguna, which  is typically in-late February or early March.

A bonfire is lighted on the eve of Holi to remember the tale of Prahlad and Holika. When Prahlad's father, the demon king Hiranyakashipu, attempted to kill him for his devotion, the Lord intervened to save the young devotee. Holika, the fire-immune sister of Hiranyakashipu, attempted to murder Prahlad by seated alongside him in a fire. However, Lord Vishnu spared Prahlad, but Holika was reduced to ashes.

To celebrate the victory of good over evil, people gather with wood and other combustible materials to make a bonfire, then light the bonfire and offer prayers to Lord Vishnu. The ashes from the bonfire are believed to have purifying properties and are often smeared on the body as a form of protection from evil. In several regions of India, notably in the northern states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan, Holika Dahan is celebrated with tremendous passion. Following Holika Dahan comes the colourful and vivacious holiday of Holi, during which attendees enjoy celebratory sweets and delicacies while dousing one another in coloured powder and water.

The second day of festival Holi had connection with the divine relationship between Lord Krishna and Radha. Where Krishna had grumbled about having a dark skin while Radha was so fair. In a playful way, his mother, Mata Yashoda joked that he should paint Radha's face any colour he likes. From that day on, Holi has been celebrated joyfully as the day of colours.

Eco Friendly Holi

Celebrating an eco-friendly Holi is a great way to enjoy the festival. The vibrant festival of Holi is intended to commemorate the start of spring, and the colours used are meant to represent the varied shades of the season.

Use natural colors: Opt for natural colors made from flowers, herbs, and vegetables instead of synthetic colors that can harm your skin and the environment.

Avoid water wastage: Wasting it during Holi can have serious consequences. Instead of using water guns or balloons, consider using dry colors or play with organic colors that dissolve in water easily. You can also celebrate a dry Holi with eco-friendly options like flowers and petals.

Say no to plastic: Avoid using plastic bags, cups, and plates during Holi as they are not biodegradable and can cause harm to the environment. Instead, use reusable plates and cups made from eco-friendly materials.

Dispose of waste responsibly: Ensure that you dispose of the waste generated during Holi responsibly. Collect the used flowers, leaves, and colors and dispose of them in a compost pit. Avoid throwing them in the garbage as they can harm the environment.

Colorful eatables

It's time to eat and drink some of the delectable treats of the event after the fun and excitement. Puran Poli, a sweet flatbread with a delectable dal stuffing, is one of these delights. In order to quench your thirst after having so much fun flinging coloured water, consider making your own Thandai, a tasty and nutritious beverage.

Gujiya: It is a sweet dumpling made with a crispy outer layer and filled with a mixture of khoya (thickened milk), dry fruits, and coconut. It is usually deep-fried and dipped in sugar syrup.

Thandai: It is a refreshing drink made with a blend of milk, nuts, and spices such as cardamom, saffron, and fennel seeds. Bhang, a cannabis-based ingredient, can also be added to it for an extra kick.

Overall, Holi is a time for joy, togetherness, and celebration, where people come together to spread love and happiness.

Happy Holi 

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