Everybody says “Happy Holi” to others during the time of Holi in India. It is time to show one’s love and affection for colors of joy. It is also the time to love and forgive.
Winter recedes in India by March and the onset of spring begins with the hope of a good spring harvest. Holi is celebrated during this time as a mark of friendship and integrity. People of all ages play with dry and watercolor on this day. This is also a day to meet friends and flirt with girls for fun.
Like other Indian festivals, Holi also has a mythological base. But it has turned more towards a social festivity. Entire India, especially the northern parts of the country, gets flooded with colors. One can visit Jaipur, Jaisalmer, and Jodhpur for tasting the true spirit of Holi.
“I woke up in the morning with the sound of odd thumping of Dholki, a local drum, and steel plates. People were already on the road throwing ‘Abeer’, colored powders on each other, and wetting others with watercolors. It is so colorful that you can’t imagine. It reminded me of the La Tomatina Festival of Spain. But there you can recognize people. In India, you cannot recognize anyone playing Holi. They all look like ghosts. It seemed that the nation has gone crazy to soak in different colors and dance to their heart’s content,” said Mr. Alexandrovski while revealing his experience.
“I stayed with Vidisha’s family. She took me out and Whack! Something hit straight onto my spectacle. A loud crack of happy Holi pierced my eardrum. People found a good canvas in me and smeared me with color. It seemed they knew me for eons. They sang songs and asked me to clap which I did. Vidisha was giggling all the time and said that Holi is the loudest, most vibrant, and crazy Indian festival. There are 12 types of Holi in different parts of India. I am so overwhelmed that I decided to visit India again during Holi,” added Alex.
Only a 4 hours drive from Delhi, Mathura and Vrindavan happen to be the place of the biggest public celebration of Holi. Several acts of Lord Krishna and his consort Radha are played to depict the importance of the festival. It is better to reach India at least a week earlier than the festival for avoiding inconvenience.
Located near Mathura Barsaane is best known for its ‘Lath Mar Holi’ when the women beat men with sticks and the men simply protect them. As the legend goes, Lord Krishna teased his beloved Radha and her friends playfully and the women chased him away with sticks. Beating is done with the beats of the music and the men sing songs to tease the women. This is one of the most bizarre sites that one can experience in life.
Holi is followed by an elephant festival in Jaipur. It accompanies folk dances and lighting of fascinating fireworks in the evening. Other parts of India also celebrate the festival in a way befitting with the local culture.
