As a child i remember running around streets of my hometown drenced in color carrying a Water gun and water-filled balloons and throw it at anyone and everyone as i thought it was a fair game, friend or stranger, rich or poor, man or woman, children and elders. Well since i have grown up now things have not changed much either, I would celebrate this festival with the same enthusiasm as i did as a child.
(image sourced from pixabay)
This frolic and fight with colors occurs in the open streets, open parks, outside temples and buildings. Groups carry drums and other musical instruments, go from place to place, sing and dance. If anyone has watched the video from Cold play (Hymn for the weekend), the members of the band were so mesmerized by this festival of colors they wanted to include the festival in their music video.
During the festival people consume a customary drink called bhang (made from cannabis), Yes right cannabis, i guess the only time in India where people openly savor to this drink made up of cannabis as it sold openly in the markets.
Traditionally holi was celebrated as a Hindu spring festival , It signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships. It is also celebrated as a thanks giving for a good harvest.
But as times change things start to modernize and now Holi as a festival is very popular among the youth , droning a white shirt smeared in all kinds of colors , many parts of the countries hold music festivals as a part of holi celebrations, dancing to the tunes of the countries most celebrated Dj s is also quite a sight.
(image sourced from pixabay)
Every year thousands of people participate in the festival from all over India and also in many parts of the world like USA , UK , Russia, South Africa, Mauritius, Trinidad and Tobago, Nepal as these countries also have a majority of Hindu communities residing in several parts of these countries and also people from other faith and religion also join in these festivities .There is actually a town in Spain that has been celebrating Holi for the past nine years! That's right, nine ! almost 10,000 people from all ethnicities. It stays true to its origins with color, white outfits, music and food. A huge draw is dancing, where choreographed groups perform moves to bhangra and Bollywood beats.
Well this is my small insight and story on HOLI , hope you enjoyed the read
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