Holi, the colorful festival of spring, is celebrated in
the month of March in India. It is a festival to let your hair down and
eat, drink, make merry and welcome the season of spring. Eating lots of
sweets, various delicatessens and drinking of bhang (a traditional
intoxicant made during holi) are part of the festivities. The festival
is celebrated on the full-moon day of Phalguna in North India, while it
is stretched up to a week in some parts of North and Northeast India.
| Image Courtesy - Getty Images |
According to the traditions of Holi, on
the evening before people gather around a bonfire made of dead leaves,
twigs and wooden sticks, They dance and sing around the fire to welcome
the season of spring. This also commemorates the ancient legend of 'The
saving of Prahlad', a mythical character and burning of his wicked aunt
Holika. People take embers from this holy fire to kindle their own
domestic fires. In some communities, barley seeds are roasted in the
fire to eat. It is believed that the yield of the upcoming harvest
season can be predicted by reading the direction of the flames or the
state of the roasted barley seeds.
| Image Courtesy - Getty Images
|
| Image Courtesy - Getty Images
|
The next morning or the day of holi is known as
'Dhuledi' or the main festival of colors, when both children and adults
smear colored powder on each other and splash water jets known as
'pichkaris'. Traditionally, only natural colors prepared from flowers
and herbal products were used. However, today, artificial colors hare
also used. The color frenzy of oranges and reds, greens and blues and
purples are known to wash away any enmity and hatred and this serves to
bring the community closer.
| Image taken by Himali Singh Soin |
Mouthwatering sweets and delicacies form an important
part of the festival. One can relish on a wide variety of lip-smacking
sweets, the most prominent being 'Gujias' (in Northern India) and 'Puran
Poli' (in Maharashtra). 'Thandai' (a cool drink made by mixing almonds,
spices with chilled milk and sugar) is mixed with 'bhang' (an
intoxicating substance that creates an alcoholic effect) is served
during Holi, as a part of its customs.
| Image taken by Himali Singh Soin
|
Holi is a festival to witness, celebrate and indulgence in and its a one 'must do' while exploring incredible India.
Wishing everyone a colourful and fun filled holi!
No comments:
Post a Comment