Holi

Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors, is a vibrant and joyous celebration mainly
observed in India and Nepal, though it has spread to other parts of the world due to the
presence of Indian communities.

This festival marks the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. It usually takes
place in March, on the last full moon day of the Hindu lunar month Phalguna. During Holi,
people gather in public spaces and smear each other with bright colored powders, called
gulal. The colors used in Holi carry meanings

—red symbolizes love and fertility, green stands for new beginnings, and yellow is the color
of turmeric, a powerful healing spice.

Participants also throw colored water at each other, using water guns or balloons. Most of
the Indians were white clothes. The night before Holi, bonfires are lit in a ceremony known
as Holika Dahan. People gather around the fire to sing and dance. This ritual symbolizes the
burning of Holika, an event from Hindu mythology where good triumphed over evil.

Holi is also a time for indulging in sweets like gujiya, a dumpling filled with sweetened milk
solids and dried fruits, and beverages like thandai, a spicy milk-based drink often infused
with bhang (cannabis) to enhance the festivities.Overall, Holi is a festive day filled with
laughter, dance, and a spectrum of colors, bringing together people of all ages and
backgrounds in a joyful celebration of life.