Holi is the colorful festival of spring that is anxiously awaited by people around the world. You can play with beautiful colors and even pull out funny pranks on your loved ones. This colorful festival is celebrated on the full moon day of Phalguna in North India. Here are some interesting facts and information about this beautiful festival.
Holi Traditions and Customs
Traditionally, people gather around the bonfire one day prior to Holi. The bonfire is made using dead leaves, twigs, and wooden sticks and people dance and sing around the bonfire to welcome the spring season. Burning of the bonfire reminds the people of the mythological story where the innocent child, Prahlad was mysteriously saved and his cruel aunt, Holika was burned into flames. According to mythology, the ashes of the Holi fire have a ton of medicinal properties. Barley seeds are roasted in some communities for people to enjoy as a fulfilling snack.
The next day is a heartfelt festival of Holi, where children and adults smear colors and splash water jets on each other. In some communities, natural colors are prepared using flowers and herbal plants. Nowadays, a majority of people use artificial colors and water balloons to play Holi. The little splash of color is enough to swipe away enmity and hatred among people.
Mouthwatering Indian delicacies play a significant role in this festival of colors. The Holi-inspired cuisine is surely going to make your Holi celebrations a lot more exciting and delicious. Some of them are Gujiya, Thandai, Dahi Bhalle, Puran Poli, Badam Phirni, Rasmalai, Malpua, and Coconut Milk Murukku.
Holi-themed Activities
We all know how thrilling this festival of colors is. Some of the Holi-themed activities which can be done on this occasion to make your Holi a lot more fun and engaging are:
- Make paint splatter holi cards.
- Create your own happy Holi banner rather than buying from the market.
- Organize a Holi-themed party where food, drink, decor, and games, everything is inspired by Holi.
- Make Holi-themed tombola cards.
- DIY Holi-themed T-shirt decorating.
- Create a colorful wall painting.
- Educate your kids about the story behind the festival.
Holi Celebrations Around the world
Holi is the most beautiful festival in India. As the festival of colors is just around the corner, we can easily witness the excitement of people for this festival and the streets getting decked up with colorful Indian attires for the festival. But do you have any idea that Holi is celebrated in different parts of the world and not just in India?
Be it Australia or Mauritius or Bangladesh, Holi is celebrated with gaiety. Every Hindu custom is followed along with visiting temples, exchanging greetings, and putting colors on each other. In Canada, Holi is celebrated with great zeal and passion. You can witness the streets being decorated with colors and a small group of people can be seen singing and dancing in the streets. In UAE, people exchange gifts and sweets on the day of Holi drenching each other with colored Holi water.
Best Places to Celebrate Holi in India
Holi is a major spring festival in India. Here is a list of some of the best places to visit in India at the time of Holi:
Purulia, West Bengal
Basanta Utsava is a major festival celebrated in the district of West Bengal named Purulia. It typically begins before Holi. The festival is celebrated with the presentation of their unique folk art, especially folk dance, and music. The popular folk dances include Chau, Darbari Jhumur, and Natua. If you wish to experience the unique celebration of Holi in India, do consider visiting this beautiful district of West Bengal.
Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
Mathura is believed to be the birthplace of lord Krishna and it is literally the best place to visit on Holi. Starting from the morning with chants and bhajans in temples and then playing with red gulaal at Dwarkadheesh Temple, it is such a heartfelt experience. Don’t forget to be part of colorful possessions which begins from Vishram Ghat to Holi Gate and several music and dance festivals which are sure to be an adrenaline-pumping experience.
Agra, Uttar Pradesh
Agra organizes the grandest celebration of the festival of Holi every year. From splashing colors on each other to enjoying the mouth-watering delicacies to gulping the whole glass of Thandai to singing and dancing, it is a roller coaster ride for the whole day. Don’t ever miss out on colorful parades with folk songs in Agra. The celebration of colors in the city of love will be the best decision of your life!
Udaipur, Rajasthan
Udaipur is the perfect place to visit if you wish to celebrate Holi with royalty. The royal Mewar family organizes the Holika Dahan ritual each year. The colorful possession from the royal family residence to the Manek Chowk Royal Residence is so hard to miss! The folk dances and songs followed by cocktails and luxurious dinners make the festival a lot more interesting. The fireworks at night are one of the best reasons you must visit Udaipur, Rajasthan this year on Holi!
Goa
Since Goa is the party hub of the country, Goa organizes the craziest Holi celebration. You can find several Holi parties happening at the same time in Goa. Holi is also celebrated with Holika Puja, in which gulaal is offered to the deities. If you are a party animal, then Goa is the perfect place for you for the occasion of Holi.
Safety Tips for Holi
No matter how blissful the festival of Holi is, it becomes a lot more stressful in case of accidents. Here are some ways you can prevent any kind of mishappening on the day of Holi:
- Avoid synthetic colors at all costs.
- Avoid water balloons.
- Try to make homemade kids-safe Holi colors to enjoy a stress-free Holi.
- Full-sleeve tops and bottoms are advisable when you go out to avoid harmful colors touching your skin.
- Teach your kids the basic etiquette of Holi.
- Wear goggles for eye protection.
- Sustainable Holi Celebrations should be encouraged among people to protect the environment.
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