Holi – Joyful and Colourful Festival
India is a country of festivals. A wonderful civilisation that celebrates every festival with pomp and show. Holi is one such festival. If Diwali is the festival of lights, Holi is the festival of colours. Playfully dousing people in vibrantly colored powders and Liquids Is an important part of Holi Festival.
What is Holi and Why is it Celebrated?
According to Indian Mythology, Holi derives its name from Holika, the sister of the demon king Hiranyakashipu, who perishes in the fire which she lit to kill Prahlad, who was an ardent Vishnu devotee even when he was in his mother’s womb and the son of Hiranyakashipu.
Holi is celebrated in two days. The first day of Holi is called Holika Dahan and is celebrated by burning of wood.
When is Holi 2023?
In 2023, Holi begins on March 7 and ends March 8, which corresponds with the twelfth month of Phalguna in the Hindu calendar.
How Holi is Celebrated?
Holi is normally celebrated in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra and in countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, West Indies, South Africa, England where there is a significant Hindu population.
Holi is a fun filled festival where people celebrate wearing new clothes, by distributing sweets to friends and relatives, singing and dancing and throwing colour powder over each other and spraying coloured waters on each other which marks the love, renewal, and the arrival of spring.
The colour powder is called ‘Gulaal’ and the coloured water ‘Dulahandi’.
Of late, there is a concern on the use of chemicals in the Gulaal and Dulahandi, which are hazardous and hence people are advised to use Organic powders made from flowers like hi-biscus, red roses, turmeric and vegetables like carrot, beetroot, sandalwood paste etc.,
Like Diwali and other Indian festivals, Holi is also celebrated with savouring different varieties of delicacies – mostly sweets, and these differ from one region to another. Malpua, Gujiya or Karanji as it is known in Maharashtra, Thandai, Puran Poli are the popular delicacies.
Holi is the joyful celebration in the country which is celebrated in a grand manner. From Kashmir to Kerala and from Gujarat to Assam, holi is celebrated in diverse ways all throughout the country. Red colour reflects fertility, blue is the colour of Krishna, yellow is the colour of turmeric, and green symbolises the start of spring and something new. Other than this, holi is also played with flower petals like that of roses, daisies, sunflowers, and even marigolds.
Where do you get Holi Festival Colours in the UK?
Lakshmi Stores, the online Indian Supermarket offers all kinds of Indian Festival Products Online. We have come up with a skin friendly special pack for Holi which has the Herbal Gulal ( color powder) and color liquid safe for your skin. Buy Holi Special Products from Lakshmi Stores, UK and we also offer Holi water guns , sweets and snacks to celebrate the vibrant festival Holi in the UK with all fun loaded.