Holi is a Hindu festival that celebrates the arrival of spring; it lasts seven days and usually takes place during the second week of March. It is one of the most popular holidays of Hinduism attended by young and old alike. It is a spectacular celebration that brings the whole community together to celebrate the triumph of good over evil and includes the lighting of the bonfire to burn the statue of Holika, the game with colored powders and visits to relatives.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Lighting the Bonfire for Holika
Step 1. Collect and stack the wood
Tradition has it that 40 days before the festival a log is placed in the center of the city to indicate that the time has come to collect the wood for the bonfire. The whole community is invited to put wood or other flammable waste materials on top of the log to eventually get a large pile to burn. Get enough lumber and combustible material to create a medium to large bonfire to burn Holika.
Step 2. Place the Holika statue in the center of the woodpile
On the eve of the festival, he places a flammable statue in the center of the pile of wood; this effigy represents Holika, the sister of the demon Hiranyakashipu. Burning the statue celebrates the victory of good over evil, as Holika is said to have attempted to kill Prahlad, the son of Hiranyakashipu and devoted follower of Narayana.
Step 3. Start the fire
Throw some combustible product, such as kerosene, on the wood to help ignition; set a match on fire and throw it into the pile.
- Remember to stay at a safe distance to avoid burning yourself.
- Join all the family, friends and the rest of the community to watch the bonfire.
Step 4. Chant the Rakshoghna mantra while looking at the fire
This chant was found in Ṛgveda, an ancient Indian collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns; enjoy the fire by dancing around it and chanting the mantra to chase away evil spirits.
You can find the lyrics of the hymns online or by purchasing the Ṛgveda book
Part 2 of 4: Playing with Colors
Step 1. Purchase or make colored powders
On the day when Holi is celebrated, people celebrate the end of winter and the arrival of spring by throwing colored powders and water at each other. You can buy traditional gulal, a red-orange powder that is obtained from the flowers of the Butea monosperma that are dried and shredded; you can also buy the abir, made up of small fragments of mica crystals that create a silver effect. People often mix these products to make a very fun bright orange powder.
- You can also find yellow and green powders at online stores or markets.
- There are many colors available made with rice flour and natural dyes; do some research online.
- The most used colors are red, yellow, green and purple.
Step 2. Rub the powders on loved ones
Dirt them with colors and get the festival started; the powders are non-toxic and do not stain, so you can have fun rubbing them on the arms, legs, back and hair of family members.
Step 3. Spray the colored water with the water guns
For this occasion, tube-shaped models are used that resemble large plastic syringes, with which it is possible to bathe people with colored water and cheerfully celebrate Holi.
- These water guns are particularly popular with children.
- They become a perfect gift for the little ones in anticipation of Holi.
Step 4. Sing and dance to the rhythm of the dholak
It is a drum that is used during festivals such as Holi; enjoy the party dancing among the colored powders, singing and rhythmically moving your body to celebrate the arrival of spring.
Step 5. Eat and drink traditional specialties
Another way to celebrate Holi is to have one of the typical Indian meals; there are several, according to the region of origin, which are prepared just for this occasion. However, there are very popular foods and drinks that you can try.
- One of the classic drinks that are consumed during Holi is thandai, a creamy milk flavored with spices and nuts that often contains herbs that make you feel a little drunk; you can drink it after celebrating with others.
- Gujia or ghughra are sweet rolls that you can enjoy during the party.
- Puran poli is a product that is generally eaten in Maharashtra; it is a flat, sweet bread flavored with butter and filled with spiced lentils.
- Dahi wada is a tasty snack consisting of lentil pancakes dipped in Indian yogurt.
Part 3 of 4: Break the Jar
Step 1. Hang a jar or other container of buttermilk in the streets
An old tradition related to the Holi festival foresees the breaking of the vase; First, you need to hang a ceramic bowl that contains buttermilk on the street. It is said that Krishna was very attracted to this liquid and that he would steal it from the houses of the village; to hide it, the women hung the pots high above the houses.
Step 2. Form a human pyramid
The men of the community build a pyramid by supporting one another on the shoulders of the other; the pyramid should be high enough for the individual on top to reach the buttermilk jar.
Be careful with this activity, as it is very complex and requires a lot of balance
Step 3. Break the vase
When the pyramid is high enough for the man on top to reach the container, he should break it using his head. This is the traditional practice, but you can use your hands if you prefer.
Step 4. Sing the typical songs and throw the water
The women of the city surround the pyramid of men and enjoy singing, throwing buckets of water and dancing.
Part 4 of 4: Visiting Friends and Family
Step 1. Go to a friend or family member's home
At the end of the day, when the festival of colors has subsided, many people visit loved ones. The meaning of the celebration is to bring the community together, and the Holi culminates in the moment in which we are together to enjoy the feast day.
Step 2. Swap sweets
It is traditional to bring sweets to offer to friends and relatives when visiting; people exchange delicacies typical of Indian cuisine to end the party in the best way.
Among the desserts you can consider donating are gujia, coconut barfi or carrot halva
Step 3. Spend the evening with loved ones
Some cities throw a big party to keep the whole community together, but you can also just go to the homes of the people you want to visit. Exchange hugs and greetings with friends and relatives by celebrating Holi with a spirit of brotherhood; continue to sing traditional songs and dance until evening comes. Holi is a festival that really lasts all day.
Advice
- Smear some oil on your skin before attending the party, this way you can easily remove the colors.
- The Holika statue should be constructed of flammable materials so that it burns during the bonfire.
- Light bonfires away from the trees in an open space and let the adults take care of them.
- Do some research to find out if any holiday celebrations are planned nearby.
- Purchase organic colored powders to reduce the risk of skin reactions.
