Holi is a popular ancient Hindu festival, also known as the “festival of love”, the “festival of colors”, and the “festival of spring”.The festival celebrates the eternal and divine love of Radha and Krishna. It also signifies the triumph of good over evil. It originated and is predominantly celebrated in India, but has also spread to other regions of Asia and parts of the Western world through the diaspora from the Indian subcontinent.
Holi celebrates the arrival of spring, the end of winter, the blossoming of love, and for many it is a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships. It lasts for a night and a day, starting on the evening of the Purnima (Full Moon day) falling in the Hindu calendar month of Phalguna. The first evening is known as Holika Dahan (burning of demon Holika) or Chhoti Holi and the following day as Holi, Rangwali Holi, Dol Purnima, Dhuleti, Dhulandi, or Phagwah.
Holi celebrations start on the night before Holi with a Holika Dahan where people gather, perform religious rituals in front of the bonfire, and pray that their internal evil is destroyed the way Holika, the sister of the demon king Hiranyakashipu, was killed in the fire. The next morning is celebrated as Rangwali Holi (Dhuleti) – a free-for-all festival of colors, where people smear each other with colors and drench each other. Water guns and water-filled balloons are also used to play and color each other. Anyone and everyone are fair game, friend or stranger, rich or poor, man or woman, children, and elders. The frolic and fight with colors occur in the open streets, parks, outside temples, and buildings. Groups carry drums and other musical instruments, go from place to place, sing and dance. People visit family, friends, and foes come together to throw colored powders on each other, laugh and gossip, then share Holi delicacies, food and drinks. In the evening, people dress up and visit friends and family.
Traditional Holi Food:
• Gujiya • Malpua
• Dahi Vada • Namak Paare
• Pakora • Kanji Ke Vade
• Papri Chaat • Thandai
• Chana Masala • Kachori
• Bhaang • Kesari Malai Peda
• Shakkar Paare • Masala Mathri
Holi colors:
- Red – love, passion, and fertility
- Blue – The color of Krishna’s face, and also the sky and oceans
- Yellow –knowledge and learning, symbolizing happiness, meditation, and peace
- Green – the color of nature, symbolizes the start of Spring and new beginnings
- Pink – caring and compassion
- Purple – can symbolize magic and mystery