The festival of Holi begins on Duwadashi - on the twelth day of the waxing moon of the month of Phalgun. This Year Holi celebrated on Saturday 19 March 2011 followed by dulhendi on Sunday 20 March 2011. Spirits run high as the preparations for the festivities begin, as a custom, mothers make new clothes for their married daughters. Coloured powder (Gulal) is bought and prepared, long syringes called 'pichkaris' are made ready and water balloons are bought and filled. Preparations are made to <span>cook</span> the special food items that exclusively meant for this festival.
Holi Ayii Re Ayii Re Holi Ayii Re
Holi Hai!
The sky is changing - The time is perfect to be colored, to renew love, and recharge your vitality, in sync with nature. And this is what Holi says!
Holi is the festival that carries the country into the bright days of summer. A feeling of plenty is in the air with the crops cut, and the farmer enjoying a bountiful of <span>harvest</span>. A time to Celebrate the true spirit of Spring .
Click here to send Holi Greetings
Why Holi Celebrated?
Literally "Holi" signifies "burning" in <span>Indian</span> language. On this day, Holika is burnt in keeping with the legend of Prahlad the devotee of lord Vishnu, Bakt Prahlad, seated on the lap of demoness Holika, was saved from the effect of the fire by God and the demoness got burnt instead.
It was Krishna, or, Krishn, the king of the ancient city of Dwarka, who popularised the tradition of Holi. The origin of the colorful and frolicking tone of Holi lies in the boyhood of Krishna. It all came up as part of his pranks, he used to play with his boyhood mates of Gokul and Vrindavan by drenching the village girls, with water and colors. At first it offended the girls. But they were so fond of this mischievous boy that soon their anger melted away, making it a popular sport in the village.
Holi festival in India
The same tradition has transpired through the ages, turning it into a community festival of the masses. As time kept flowing, the culture spread roots to other regions of the country. The Holi play of Krishna is documented in hundreds of ancient paintings, murals, sculptures and scriptures found across the subcontinent
Holi is a harvest celebration marking the climax of spring. Bonfires are lit, marking both the end of winter and the death of evil, and proceeds from the seasonal harvest- grains, coconuts etc- offered to the flames. Usually this is a community celebration and people gather near the fire to fill the air with folk strains and dances. Crossroads. Sheaves of green gram and wheat are roasted in the bonfire and eaten.
The actual festival of Holi takes place the day after this known as dulhendi which involves plenty of colour throwing, prayer, fasting and feasting. This Year dulhendi celebrates on 15 March 2006. People have fun throwing coloured powder and colourful water at each other, dancing and gambling over cards. Water balloons are thrown at friends and neighbours in the spirit of fun. Sometimes, mud baths are prepared and people are 'dunked' into this amidst much laughter and teasing.
The visitors carry 'abeer' or 'gulal' to pay their respects to elders by sprinkling some on their feet. The younger crowd is drenched with buckets of coloured water and pummeled with water balloons. 'Dholaks' or Indian drums are heard everywhere and the songs of Holi are carried by the voices of these merry-makers.
There is no 'puja' or worship associated with this festival of colours. The special food items that are prepared for Holi are gujjia, papri and kanji ke vade. Meat dishes, like kofta curry, are also served.
Holi in India
Holi – the festival of colors
Dry Holi colors known as 'Gulal' and wet colors or 'Rang' were originally prepared naturally from the flowers and other products that had dyeing properties. However with time, in the quest of more long-lasting and strong colors, chemically enhanced and artificial colors have come in vogue.
Holi Ayii Re Ayii Re Holi Ayii Re
Holi Hai!
The sky is changing - The time is perfect to be colored, to renew love, and recharge your vitality, in sync with nature. And this is what Holi says!
Holi is the festival that carries the country into the bright days of summer. A feeling of plenty is in the air with the crops cut, and the farmer enjoying a bountiful of <span>harvest</span>. A time to Celebrate the true spirit of Spring .
Click here to send Holi Greetings
Why Holi Celebrated?
Literally "Holi" signifies "burning" in <span>Indian</span> language. On this day, Holika is burnt in keeping with the legend of Prahlad the devotee of lord Vishnu, Bakt Prahlad, seated on the lap of demoness Holika, was saved from the effect of the fire by God and the demoness got burnt instead.
It was Krishna, or, Krishn, the king of the ancient city of Dwarka, who popularised the tradition of Holi. The origin of the colorful and frolicking tone of Holi lies in the boyhood of Krishna. It all came up as part of his pranks, he used to play with his boyhood mates of Gokul and Vrindavan by drenching the village girls, with water and colors. At first it offended the girls. But they were so fond of this mischievous boy that soon their anger melted away, making it a popular sport in the village.
Holi festival in India
The same tradition has transpired through the ages, turning it into a community festival of the masses. As time kept flowing, the culture spread roots to other regions of the country. The Holi play of Krishna is documented in hundreds of ancient paintings, murals, sculptures and scriptures found across the subcontinent
Holi is a harvest celebration marking the climax of spring. Bonfires are lit, marking both the end of winter and the death of evil, and proceeds from the seasonal harvest- grains, coconuts etc- offered to the flames. Usually this is a community celebration and people gather near the fire to fill the air with folk strains and dances. Crossroads. Sheaves of green gram and wheat are roasted in the bonfire and eaten.
The actual festival of Holi takes place the day after this known as dulhendi which involves plenty of colour throwing, prayer, fasting and feasting. This Year dulhendi celebrates on 15 March 2006. People have fun throwing coloured powder and colourful water at each other, dancing and gambling over cards. Water balloons are thrown at friends and neighbours in the spirit of fun. Sometimes, mud baths are prepared and people are 'dunked' into this amidst much laughter and teasing.
The visitors carry 'abeer' or 'gulal' to pay their respects to elders by sprinkling some on their feet. The younger crowd is drenched with buckets of coloured water and pummeled with water balloons. 'Dholaks' or Indian drums are heard everywhere and the songs of Holi are carried by the voices of these merry-makers.
There is no 'puja' or worship associated with this festival of colours. The special food items that are prepared for Holi are gujjia, papri and kanji ke vade. Meat dishes, like kofta curry, are also served.
Holi in India
Holi – the festival of colors
Dry Holi colors known as 'Gulal' and wet colors or 'Rang' were originally prepared naturally from the flowers and other products that had dyeing properties. However with time, in the quest of more long-lasting and strong colors, chemically enhanced and artificial colors have come in vogue.
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