fbpx

Holi is the festival of colors. It falls on the full moon day in the month of March. The mythical origins of this festival may vary in different parts of the country.

Every year millions of people in India, Nepal, & around the world celebrate the Hindu festival of Holi.

Why do we celebrate Holi?

It’s an opportunity to forget all the differences & participate in the complete fun. Generally, people celebrated this holy festival in high spirit without any discrimination between caste, creed, color, race, status or sex.

Are you aware of the fact that on this occasion, sprinkling colored powder (‘gulal’) or colored water on each other breaks all barriers of discrimination?  So, everyone looks the same and universal brotherhood is restated. This is one simple reason to partake in this colorful festival.

Holi celebrations

Holi is not a one day festival, it is almost celebrated for three days.

Day 1: On full moon day i.e Holi Purnima, colored powder & water are arranged in small brass pots on a thali. The celebration starts with the eldest male member who sprinkles color on the members of his family.

Day 2: This is also known as Puno, on this day Holika’s images are burnt & people even light bonfires to recall the story of Prahlad & Holika. Mothers with their babies take five rounds of the bonfire in a clockwise direction. This is done to seek the blessings of the God of fire.

Day 3: This day is called Parva: It is the last & final day of Holi celebration. On this day, colored powder & water is poured on each other. The idols of Radha & Krishna are worshipped and smeared with colors.

How to celebrate Holi & how you can enjoy it?

  • Buy or make colors: You can buy gulal. It is a natural red-orange color made from the flowers of palash. Also, you can make colours of your own. For the colour green, take plants like Henna. Dry and powder it. You can mix it with suitable flour to make green colour. Alternately, you can use paste of green leafy veggies to turn others green. Mix turmeric and gram flour to make yellow colour. There’re many more colors available. They’re made from rice flour & natural colorings. Look online to buy Holi colors for the upcoming festival. You can purchase Cock Brand Herbal Gold Gulal (Gift Pack of 5 Pouches) at Puja Samagri Online. 

 

  • Sing and dance to the beat of the dholak: You can sing & dance to the beat of the dholak and let your body move to the beat while you celebrate the festival.
  • Eat and drink traditional Holi delicacies: You can also celebrate Holi with delicious Indian meals. On the day of Holi, you can taste many different traditional meals depending on what region you’re in, here’re some popular foods and drinks you can try.

(a)  The Holi staple food is called Thandai, it’s a traditional creamy milk drink, which is flavored with nuts & spices. It often has some herbs that might make you feel dizzy. You can have it after you have enjoyed together.

(b) Gujia or Ghughra is a sweet dish that you can enjoy.

(c) Puran Poli is a popular sweet dish. It is typically eaten in Maharashtra & is a sweet flatbread with a buttery taste & a stuffing of lentils and spices.

(d)  Dahi Vada is a tasty snack food made from lentil fritters soaked in Indian yogurt.

 

  • Lathmar Holi in Haryana: The Sister in laws beat their brother in laws in mock anger with their sari rolled up in the form of a rope. In the evening, the brother in laws come with sweets for their sister in laws, so to earn their goodwill. This ritual is also called Dulandi Holi.

Do you know that apart from fun, it also has a lot of significance? The festival of Holi indicates the victory of good over evil.

People playfully smear each other with colors. They spend time with family members & loved ones and participate in sumptuous feasts.