On March 25, the Holi : festival of colors, will be celebrated in India. The traditional Hindu festival which falls on the full moon night brings immense joy, positivity, hope, new beginnings, delicious food and a sense of togetherness among people.
In this blog, we will go in-depth about this gigantic festival and discuss all the activities you can pursue to make the most out of it. In case you need to borrow money to take care of Holi celebration expenses, you can get a personal loan approval up to ₹5 lakhs under 60 seconds from the Zype app.
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Holi is one of the biggest Hindu festivals. Famously known as the festival of colours, it usually falls in the month of March. The festival is celebrated to mark the arrival of spring and goes on for two days. The first day is for the ceremony called ‘Holika Dahan’ where people gather around bonfires in open spaces and offer prayers, followed by singing, dancing and savouring delicacies. People play with colours on the second day of the celebration. They throw Gulal (coloured powder) and coloured water on each other.
Holi celebrates the victory of good over evil. The festival has its roots in the mythological tale of a demon Hiranyakashyap and his son Prahlad who was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashyap couldn’t bear Prahlad’s devotion. He asked his sister Holika, who was immune to fire, to sit with Prahlad on a pyre and burn him alive. When she did this, Holika was burnt but Prahlad had no effect of fire on him. It is said that Prahlad’s faith in god shielded him.
Holi is one of the most revered festivals of Hindus. As we saw above, it has a very deep-rooted religious significance. It is also a symbol of India’s rich cultural heritage. This festival of colours transcends religious boundaries and is celebrated all over the world by many religions and cultures. It is one of the few occasions where people from all walks of life come together and celebrate Holi – festival of colours.
It is said that by the end of the Holi celebration, if your clothes are full of colours, then you haven’t celebrated it well. If you plan to play Holi with colours and coloured water, you should go for white or light-coloured clothes. This ensures that the powdered colours stand out well and your clothes emanate the celebratory spirit. Also, wear comfortable clothes that you wouldn’t mind getting stained.
India is the birthplace of Holi. The festival of colours is a national holiday and is celebrated with utmost enthusiasm across the country. The Hindu population in Nepal also celebrates it with grandeur, mixing their own cultural elements with the festival. It is also celebrated by Indian diaspora communities living across the world.
Playing with gulal (powder paint) and coloured water with friends and family is considered the most fun part of Holi in India. People also sing and dance while smearing colours on each other. You can also participate in water balloon fights and add excitement in the festivity.
The ritual of Holika Dahan holds a very special place in the festivity of Holi in India. In this, people gather and ignite a bonfire which is believed to have cleansing properties. It is believed that offering prayers in Holika Dahan brings good luck and prosperity.
This Holi 2024, celebrate the festival of colours with a twist and express yourself through art. People from all walks of life can come together and create art. This will be an environmentally friendly and safe way to celebrate Holi in India and will foster the spirit of togetherness.
Watching films is something that people of all age groups enjoy. You can pick jovial films where you can sing along and recreate the dance moves. Since Holi symbolises the triumph of good over evil, you can watch movies on similar themes like Avengers, Baahubali, etc.
Thandai is a cold drink which is made with milk, nuts and spices. It could also have ingredients like almonds, fennel seeds, rose petals, saffron and sugar. Drinking this Indian beverage is an integral part of celebrating Holi. Make your Holi 2024 more authentic by making and serving Thandai at your party.
Looking for a peaceful way to celebrate Holi in India? Escape the humdrum of life and go to a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. You can search for hotels and resorts that offer special Holi packages. Rejuvenate and enjoy wellness activities like swimming and spa treatments. This would also be a good opportunity to have quality time with your loved ones.
If you want to have a climate-conscious and safe Holi, you should go for Tilak or Flower Holi. Instead of water balloons and synthetic colors, this involves using tilak (a mark worn on the forehead with colored powder or sandalwood paste) and flowers. Tilak has a deep cultural and religious significance and is not harmful to your skin. You would also save yourself from generating waste and save many litres of water.
This Holi 2024, you can spread joy and happiness by visiting these institutions and celebrating Holi with its residents. You can go with your friends or family and create a jolly atmosphere by singing songs, dancing, playing with colors and narrating mythological tales.
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Holi is celebrated to mark the end of winter, on the last full moon day of the Hindu lunisolar calendar month. Holi 2024 will be celebrated on 25th March.
Yes, the ritual of Holika Dahan is observed in which a bonfire is lit in open space which symbolises the victory of good over evil. People gather around the bonfire, offer their prayers and perform the rituals.
To have a safe Holi, you should use natural colours, avoid colours with synthetic chemicals, wear sunglasses while playing Holi and apply oil or moisturiser in advance to protect your skin.
Different regions celebrate Holi with different sweets. The popular Holi sweets are Gujiya, Malpua, Balushahi, Besan Ladoo and Rasgulla.
Yes, you can buy herbal colours which are made from flowers, fruits and vegetables. You can also learn from the internet and make organic colors at home.
Yes, Holi is celebrated differently as per the traditions and customs of the regions. For example – Barsana, Uttar Pradesh is famous for its Lathmar Holi, Vrindavan and Mathura celebrate “Phoolon ki Holi”, and Sikhs celebrate Holi in Punjab with martial arts demonstrations, mock battles, and processions. There are many such variations across India.
Yes, Holi is a very inclusive festival and there is something in this for everyone. You can attend Holi-themed events, local community celebrations, watch Holika Dahan, etc. Just ensure that you dress appropriately and be respectful towards the local customs.