Festivals in India

Holi is the festival of colours and is celebrated in India. It begins on Duwadashi which is the twelfth day of the waxing moon in the month of Phalgun. Coloured powder known as gulal is bought and prepared, long squeeze called 'pichkaris' are made ready and water balloons are bought and filled. Preparations are made to cook the special food items that are exclusively meant for this festival.

The legend of King Hiranyakashipu is associated with the festival of Holi . King Hiranyakashipu wanted absolute power so that he would be worshipped as God. However King's son Prahlad, refused to obey his father so the King decided to punish him severely. He asked his sister Holika who was immune to fire and would never be burnt to sit in the centre of a bonfire with Prahlad on her lap, so that the fire could dispose of him. The bonfire was lit, and young Prahlad sat in Holika's lap, in its centre, praying to Lord Vishnu. His devotion saved him leaving him untouched by the flames, but Holika was burnt to ashes. To mark this legend, huge bonfires are lit on the eve of Holi , especially in Bihar and the rest of North India.

Children, friends and neighbours gather on the streets to colour each other. Gulal are thrown into the air and soiled on faces and bodies. 'Pichkaris' are filled with coloured water and is poured onto people. Water balloons are thrown at friends and neighbours in the spirit of fun. In some rural places mud baths are prepared and people are thrown into the mud. People enjoy playing with colours and dancing on the Dhols which can be heard everywhere and the songs of Holi are sung.

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