Holi is a festival of colours or the festival of love. It is an ancient Hindu religious festival signifying the victory of good over evil. The festival is primarily observed in India and Nepal. Holi is celebrated at the end of winter, on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalgun (February or March). This year the holiday is celebrated on March 6, 2015 (March 23, 2016).
The festival celebrates the beginning of spring and saying farewell to winter. Holi has multiple purposes, it symbolizes the new beginnings, forget and forgive and repair ruptured relationships. Celebrations start the night before Holi with people gathering around bonfires, singing and dancing. The ceremony of bonfires has religious meaning and is a reminder of the symbolic victory of good over evil. The night before Holi is known as Holika Dahan (burning of Holika). The next day Holi is celebrated by applying coloured powder (abir) on each others faces. Guests are first greeted with colours, then served with Holi delicacies and sweets. Children play water fights by chasing each other with dry powder, coloured water, or coloured water-filled balloons. The fight with colours occurs in the streets, open parks, outside temples and other social places. After playing with colours, people wash themselves, put on clean clothes, and visit friends and family.
The festival date varies every year according to the Hindu calendar.
Most Popular Destinations |
|
