How to Celebrate Holi

Holi (also called Holaka or Phagwa) is the Hindu Festival of Colors. Held over several days in early March (the Hindu month of Phalguna), the festival celebrates the coming of spring and is known for merrymaking and mischief. Social norms are ignored, bringing everyone together in celebration. A common saying heard during Holi is "Bura na mano, Holi hai!" ("don't feel offended, it's Holi!"). Here are some of its rituals:

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Metal dish
• Wood for a bonfire
• Lighter fluid
• Colored powder
• Colored water
• Water balloons

1. Day One: Rang Pashi. A metal plate, or 'thali', is arranged with colored powders. Colored water is placed in a small brass container called a `lota`. The eldest male member of the family begins the festivities by sprinkling the water and powders on each member of the assembled family. It is then the turn of the younger ones to do the same. In this way, affection and blessings are shared by all in the family. The celebrations on this day end with the partaking of food specially cooked for this occasion.
2. Day Two: Puno. On this day a public bonfire is held. The fire is lit sometime between 10 p. m. and midnight (at the rising of the moon). Everyone gathers in the street for the event, and the air rings with shouts, catcalls, curses and general mayhem. Usually this is a community celebration and people gather near the fire to fill the air with folk strains and dances. Snacks are roasted in the bonfire and eaten.
3. Day Three: Parva. The climax of the festival. Children, friends and neighbors gather on the streets and a riot of color takes over. Colored powders are thrown into the air and smeared on faces and bodies. Water balloons are thrown at friends and neighbors in the spirit of fun. Sometimes, mud baths are prepared and people are `dunked` into this amidst laughter and cheers.
4. In Bengal, Holi features the Dolayatra (Swing Festival), in which images of the gods are placed on specially decorated platforms and devotees take turns swinging them. Meanwhile, women dance around and sing special songs as men spray colored water at them.

Tips & Warnings

• This EHow is a very basic introduction to a few of the rituals of Holi. It is not meant to be comprehensive. All of the rituals described have roots in Hinduism, which should be studied prior to participating.