Holi, The Festival of colors In India

Start Date : 8th March 2012

End Date : 9th March 2012

Venue : all over india

Country : India

Category : Fair & Festivals In India

Holi, the Festival of Colours, is celebrated in the month of Phalgun on a full moon day, according to the lunar calendar and usually falls in the month of March. Phalgun is the month of spring in India. Holi is thus celebrated to mark the end of winter chill and the onset of summer. The woolens are packed away and light summer clothes are brought out. At this time, nature itself is also in full bloom; the flowers of India present a sight to behold.

Traditionally, vegetable dyes have been used for colour, both dry and wet. Called Gulal and Abeer, the dry colour is applied directly while wet colour is mixed in buckets full of water, in which friends are dunked. Accompanied by the sound of ‘Dhol’ (an Indian percussion instrument) and plenty of singing and dancing, Holi is the festival of merrymaking.

What is a festival without celebratory food? Holi also has certain special sweet and savoury dishes associated with it. Gujiya, Mathri and Papri is made especially for the occasion. Traditionally, consumption of intoxicating bhang is associated with the festival of Holi. Bhang can be consumed in the form of Thandai, a sweet drink or mixed inside the eatables. It is so much fun to watch the otherwise sober people making a clown of themselves in public. However, bhang should be taken with caution; while it is not threatening to the well-being of a person, the discomfort can last for a long time.

Splashes of colors - Holi

The evening that falls before Holi, marks Holika Dahan. A bonfire is lit on this evening. This part of the festival has a legend associated with it. According to this legend, demon King Hiranyakashyap demanded everybody in his kingdom to worship him but his pious son, Prahlad who was a devotee of Lord Vishnu did not do so. Hiranyakashyap wanted his son to be killed. He asked his sister Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap as Holika had a boon which made her immune to fire. Prahlad was saved by the Lord himself while evil minded Holika was burnt to ashes, for her boon worked only when she entered the fire alone. Since that time, the bonfire called Holika has been lit on the eve of Holi festival to celebrate the victory of good over evil and also mark devotion to God. Holi is also considered to be the day of friendship, when in keeping with the spirit of the day, people forget petty enmities and renew their friendship.

The colorful festival of Holi is widely celebrated on Hindi month Phalgun’s Purnima (Lunar month) which usually falls in February end or early of March. Holi has an ancient origin which celebrates the triumph of 'virtue' over 'evil'. The colorful Holi festival bridges the social gap and renews relationships. On this day, people play with many vibrant colors mainly Abeer, Gulal and throw splashes of colored water on to each-other while singing carols for Holi. The sweet which is famous in Holi is called ‘Guzhia’; people usually prepare it their home and then share it with their friends & neighbors.

Let’s call Holi a transition when we make a huge celebration to bid farewell to the cold of winter and welcoming the warmth of summer. Holi is the time in India when climate becomes pleasing and fills life and unspoken enthusiasm in your spirit. The time when you see the true colors of spring all around, in this vary time India looks like a beautiful lass attired with colors and Earth seems to be taking new birth. The joy of Holi is felt very deeply through the multicolored flowers and fresh green leaves of trees and thunder showers with pinkish cold. The song of birds can be listening everywhere in orchards & woods can say that it is the perfect time to visit India. And the time when your heart got stole by the liveliness of this festival of Colors, Holi.

Celebration of Holi festival takes place with lighting up of bonfire on the Holi eve. Many of folklore & legends are associated with Holi celebration make this festival more lushes and vivid. This year Holi Festival is falling on 20th March and We hope that we make best efforts to make it more vibrant and joyous than the past years.

Happy Holi!

Tags : Festival Of Colors, Color festival In India, Colourful Festival in India