Holi is one of the most vibrant festivals in the world. With roots in the Indian subcontinent, it has been coined as the “Festival of Colours.” During this holiday, families and friends come together to celebrate themes like love, life, and the arrival of spring.
It will be celebrated this year on March 14th, which is only a few weeks away. To prepare for this festival, this blog post will educate you about the history, meaning, and traditions that come with the holiday, and how you can participate!
What is Holi?
Holi is a traditionally Hindu festival that marks the arrival of spring, and also the triumph of good over evil. This theme is common in Hindu mythology, which the festival was created from. It is celebrated with an abundance of colour, music, and delicious food.
During the festival, people throw coloured powders at each other, and even participate in a water gun fight with coloured water! It’s also a common practice to wear white during this celebration, so all the colours that you are hit with show prominently in beautiful patterns.
These coloured powders are usually made up of cornstarch with very small amounts of food dye. According to the Holi Colour Powder website, “Traditionally people used natural, plant based colours from turmeric, Indian lilac, dhak (also called flame-of-the-forest), and kumkum (a combination of turmeric and slaked lime or Calcium hydroxide) but now commercial, water-based, non-toxic, food-grade pigments are used.”
Despite being traditionally celebrated by those who practice Hinduism, today the festival is open and welcoming to people from all backgrounds. I believe that you need to participate in this celebration at least once in your life, since the experience is one you’ll never forget. This is a festival that brings everyone together, and focuses on unity and joy!
The Meaning Behind the Colours
If you look up pictures of the festival online, many images of people covered in bright pigments are seen. Despite celebrating the holiday since I was a kid, I learned through my research online that each colour actually has its own meaning and symbolizes a specific theme. Here are a few listed below:
Yellow: symbolizes happiness and positivity
Red: symbolizes love and passion
Green: represents new beginnings and growth, highlighting key themes of the spring season
Blue: represents calmness and peace
Pink: illustrates affection and compassion
Throwing these colours at each other is fun, but it also symbolizes joy, positivity, and the act of leaving behind all negativity.
Holi Traditions
Despite being popularized for the colour-throwing and water fights, Holi comes with many other traditions.
A ritual called Holika Dahan is carried out the night before, in which people gather around a large bonfire and perform prayers around it for health, prosperity, and happiness. It’s usually a big family gathering, allowing you to bond with other members in your community. Like any celebration, there is almost always food involved. 🙂
What I look forward to the most during this festival (other than the colour fight) are the delicious sweets that are made during this day. A sweet called gujiya is famous for being made on Holi. It is a sweet dumpling stuffed with khoya, dried fruits, and coconut, and is fried and topped with sugar syrup. A traditional drink is also consumed, called thandai. It is a refreshing beverage made with milk, nuts, and spices.
Most people choose to wear traditional Holi attire for the festival, usually all white clothes. It is recommended to choose something old, since the clothing will end up being drenched in colour by the end of the day. After the celebration, the stained clothes are a fun keepsake. Think tie-dye, but Hindu edition.
During the festival, it is common to see people visiting each other’s homes to exchange sweets. This is to wish each other a happy Holi! During the colour fight, lots of dancing will take place, with joyous music playing in the background.
Celebrating Safely: Holi Safety 101
If you are invited to participate in a Holi celebration, here are some tips to help you stay safe!
Protect your skin and eyes: Ensure that organic and natural colour powders are being used, they are gentler on your skin and safer for the environment. Most Holi celebrations will already take this into account, but if you’re someone with a medical condition, it doesn’t hurt to ask the organizers first.
Wear old, comfortable clothes and shoes: Ensure that you’re not too attached to the clothes you wear. Don’t worry about looking good, everyone else will be wearing old, white clothes as well. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes, since it is a festival that requires you to be actively moving!
Hydrate: This festival can be physically draining, which means it’s a good idea to bring a water bottle or find a source of water before you begin participating. It’s also important to take breaks!
Respect boundaries: People who are participating are most likely already aware that they’re going to be drenched in colour, but it doesn’t hurt to ask them first. Try not to throw anything directly into someone’s face!
Conclusion: See You On March 14th!
Holi is a welcoming festival celebrated all over the world in places like New York, Sydney, London, and India. Whether its a celebration in the streets or a small gathering with friends, this holiday (see what I did there?) is incredibly fun to celebrate. Many traditions include throwing coloured powders, eating delicious sweets, and gathering around a bonfire. Holi is an experience that’ll leave a positive impact on those who participate.
It’s also the perfect excuse to go out with your friends, and you’ll get some great pictures out of it. Your Instagram feed will thank you after this one.