Holi
Holi the festival of colors is one of the major festivals in India. It is a festival celebrated from ages the earliest textual reference to the celebration of Holi is found in the 7th century Sanskrit drama, Ratnavali. Holi Involves in smearing of coloured powder on each other, and throwing coloured and scented water at each other using pichkaris.
Food preparations also begin many days in advance, with assemblage of gujia, papads, kanji and various kinds of snack items including malpuas, mathri, puran poli, and dahi badas, which are served to Holi guests.
The main emphasis of the festival is on the burning of the holy fire or Holika. The origin of the traditional lighting of Holi is attributed by some to the burning of demonesses like Holika, Holaka and Putana who represent evil, or to the burning of Madan according to others.Traditionally a bonfire on the day of Holi, marks the symbolic annihilation of Holika the demoness as described above.
Border Security Force (BSF) jawans celebrate 'Holi' festival at Indo-PaK border near Suchetgarh in Jammu on Sunday.Photo by Vishal Dutta
Holi, also called the Festival of Colours, is a popular Hindu spring festival observed in India, Guyana, Trinidad, and Nepal. On the second day, people spend the day throwing coloured powder and water at each other. The spring season, during which the weather changes, is believed to cause viral fever and cold. Thus, the playful throwing of the coloured powders has a medicinal significance: the colours are traditionally made of Neem, Kumkum, Haldi, Bilva, and other medicinal herbs prescribed by Āyurvedic doctors.
Folks walking around the complex dancing and playing with colors
