Holi: Forget all the differences, drench yourself in colours

Holi, the festival of colours, is celebrated across India with pomp and fervour. The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and as a thanksgiving for a good harvest. Like every festival in India, several myths, legends and folklore are associated with Holi too. Playing with colours, water guns, and indulging in Holi special treats, is what most of us associate with Holi celebrations.

All About Holi : The festival of colours

The festival is about the victory of good over evil and it is about celebrating in themost joyful way with colours, water, snacks, sweets and music. Holi is one of the most joyous festival in India and it is celebrated across India and by Indians residing across the globe.

Dol Jatra of Bengal

West Bengal's folk culture dominates Holi celebrations in the region. Celebrated as Basant Utsav and Dol Jatra, Holi in Bengal is more of a celebration of spring and the eternal romance of Radha and Krishna.

Widows in India get drenched in colours of Holi

Widows participate in Holi celebrations at the ancient Gopinath Temple in Vrindavan on Tuesday in an event organised by Sulabh International. The widows played Holi with over 1,600 kilograms of flower petals and 1,600 kilograms of gulaal. And the joy radiates from their faces. They also danced and sang including bhajans on the occasion. In many parts of India, widows are not permitted to play Holi. Since 2012, Sulabh began working in this direction aiming to bring them to the mainstream.

Lath Maar Holi of Barsana

In addition to the play of colours and binging on traditional sweetmeats, the Holi of Mathura has another very unique ritual called the Lath Maar Holi. The tradition takes on from the Holi of Lord Krishna's time. Men (symbolic of Gopas) from Nandgaon come to play Holi with the women of Mathura (Barsana Village) with colours and a shield. Women chase these men away with sticks or Lath.

Vrindavan widows to gift Gulaal-filled pots to Modi

Ahead of Holi festival, a group of widows from Vrindavan prepared earthen pots filled with 'gulaal' (coloured powder) to be gifted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The widows in Vrindavan began this tradition back in 2013, as a mark to break the societal norms that prohibit a widow from wearing coloured clothes, among other things.

Some delicacies to have this Holi season

Holi, the vibrant festival, isn't only about colours. Holi brings to the table a whole lot of mouth-watering flavours. One can try out, Chocolate Gujiya, Special Thandai, Rasmalai, Methi Mathri, Malpua and various other delicacies making the festival a delicious one.

Holika Dahan or Chhoti Holi is slated to be celebrated on 1st March 2018.

Have a colourful and delicious Holi!

OneIndia News