Holi Festival of India

Holi is the festival of colors and love which is celebrated in Phalgum Purnima that usually comes up in end of February or early March. Holi is the festival that celebrates the good and bad of anything. The festival of colors also rebuilds the relationships of the people. On this day everyone wishes each other ‘Happy Holi’. The celebration of Holi starts from the eve of Holi when the people celebrates with the bonfire. There are many such legends and stories related to the celebrations. People celebrates the festival by rubbing ‘Gulal’ and ‘Abeer’ on each other’s face and wishing them ‘Bura na Maano Holi Hai’. Holi also gives the opportunity to bless and love near and dear ones by offering them Holi gifts.

The Holi festival is celebrated with the different names in different states that follows different traditions. The spirit of celebration of the festival makes it special and unique in all through the country as well as in all around the globe.

Preparations for Holi

Whole country wears a festive look during the festival, market are at buzz during Holi festival. There are various Holi hues with gulals and abeers on the roadside on the day before festival. Pichkaris are the modern design that is used to drench the person in the town. The womenfolk at home prepares the special dishes that are generally prepared at the time of Holi like gujiyas, mathari and papri for the family members and relatives. At some places people also prepares papads and potato chips at this time.

Holika Dahan:

On the eve of Holi, which is called as the Choti Holi or Small Holi there is a huge bonfire celebrations and the event is known as the Holika Dahan. The tradition is followed in all parts of the country. To offer the prayers and greatfulness to Agni, god of fire the gram and harvest are also offered with the humility.

Play with Colors:

On the day of Holi there are lot of excitement that are seen at the time of the festival. Shops and offices are closed during the day and the next day also. Bright colors like gulal and abeer are filled in the air and people also pouring color water on each other. Applying colors and dancing on dholak are the special delight of that day.

Consuming Bhang during Holi:

There is also a tradition of consuming Bhang [out] during Holi which is very much intoxicating in nature and it also enhances the spirit of Holi. However, taking Bhang in excess can spoil the excitement of Holi. Caution must be taken while consuming bhang.