Holi hai! Ready to embrace and share all the colors?

6 months and 3 days till the world explodes with color!

The most colorful festival on the planet is a religious celebration that commemorates the arrival of spring, love, and the triumph of good over evil. But it’s also a time to have a lot of fun! Dance, sing, and splatter colored water and paint all over the place to celebrate the festival of colors! Show more

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Embrace all the colors and shades of Holi with these designs

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Symbols

Festivities rely on traditions, events and symbols. Let’s learn more about the Symbols of Holi!

Powder

Color

Flowers

Bonfire

Don’t dust off, because the Color powder is on the way!

Color powder is the big star of the Holi festival, but what do we know about it? Its traditional name is Gulal, and it’s typical in Hindu rituals and ceremonies. The legend has it that Lord Krishna complained about the darkness of his skin, and his mother smeared bright colors on his face, creating the tradition that lives on today. In earlier times, the powder was obtained from flowers that had medicinal properties that would benefit the skin. Nowadays, it can be found as synthetic, but adds the same amount of joy, vibrancy, love and cheers!

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Vibrant splashes and shades - The Colors of Holi

“Color is a power which directly influences the soul”, there’s no better way to put into words the power of the Holi festival, right? Colors are the main characters and protagonists in this story, and every single one of them, holds a special meaning and history behind. But the thing that shakes the whole thing up, is trowing them! During the festivities, people will buy and carry the color powder with them, and at any moment, any time, you can be splashed with it! Get ready to be covered all over with vibrant shades that, due to their natural origins and healthful properties, would actually benefit your skin! Everyone, regardless of age or gender, participates in the battle and splashes water on each other in celebration. Water guns are used to squirt water, and balloons filled with colored water are thrown from rooftops.

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The heart of Holi - Flowers and Nature

Spring is the season where all things bloom — flowers, trees, herbs — the winter is now long gone, and without all these plants, there’ll be no color powder and no festivities! We know how Holi stands as a celebration of Spring, and the rebirth of all things, and that’s why flowers play such an important and key role. Not only as a decoration, but as the root of all things. Plants such as Neem, Bilva, Palash or Hald, are also beneficial to the skin. The green color, derives from the dried leaves of the Gulmohur tree; Yellow comes directly from bael fruits or turmeric and red from the famous Palash tree. Deriving from the Ayurveda medicine, which focuses on the use and development of natural sources, these colors also held properties to rejuvenate and refresh the skin making your skin as radiant as all these bright shades!

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Rebirth, flames and bonfires—Burning the past with Holi Fire

Although it is widely known that Holi is all about color, the origins of this tradition, as well as its name, can be traced back to fire. The story of Holika, an extremely powerful demon who, thanks to a blessing, could withstand any adversities, including fire. She was King Hiranyakashipu’s sister, and he ordered her to enter a fire with his rebel son Prahda, and kill him. She entered the fire, believing that the blessing would make her fireproof under all circumstances, but she was burned to death because the boon only worked if she joined the fire alone. As a result, on the Purnima Tithi (Full Moon Night) of the Phalguna month, multiple bonfires or Holika Dahan are lit to commemorate Prahda’s salvation and Holika’s defeat. During the celebration, people pray for their health and happiness as they stroll five times around the bonfire.

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Color palette

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Splashes of Violet and Purple!

Purple, known as Blue Violet is a color with a lot of presence in Hinduism and religious celebration all across India. Particularly in Hinduism, the violet color is used as a symbol for the Sahasrara chakra, the seventh and highest chakra. In Hinduism, the color purple is associated with a feeling of unity with God, peace, and wisdom. Lotus flowers are used to represent purity and rebirth in Buddhism, but as they change color, their meanings slightly change as well. The mystic lotus, a purple lotus flower, symbolizes all of Buddha’s virtues when it is fully developed. When it is depicted as a bud, it represents the heart and soul just before enlightenment.

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Exuding fire and passion, the color Red

A rather likeable color from the neutral family is Radical Red. A very emblematic and symbolic color in Hinduism, red represents love, commitment, strength and bravery. It is often associated with women and femininity as it is connected to Durga, a warrior goddess who symbolizes power and strength, enhancing her fiery image with a red tongue and nearly ruby-red eyes. The red vermilion is also used as a ritual mark while greeting guests or family members at a festival or into when joining your home. The red tilaka, a ceremonial mark worn on the forehead, is also a symbol of blessing from an elderly to a youngster and is part of other family traditions. During Holi, be ready to be splashed with red all over!

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Breathing in and staring into the blue

The sight of blue tones and shades has a calming and soothing effect like nothing else. The Deep Sky Blue is one of the most strong and common colors in Hinduism. It is intended to represent the infinite and the immeasurable, like the apparent endlessness of the sea and sky, and is found in the skin of the most extraordinary gods and goddesses, including Vishnu, Krishna, and Shiva. Blue is also the color of absolution because it embodies many of the traits of these well-known deities, including courage, goodness, resolve, and protection. During the days of Holi, get ready to enjoy a lot of blue hues and shades!

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A Burst of Green! Peace and Harmony

Nothing feels more energizing and fresh than a fresh explosion of green! This is a pear green color that stands for the many wonders of nature, happiness, and the start of spring. Being closely related to harmony, peace, harvest, and growth, it acts as a gentle reminder of new beginnings in Nature — and its nourishing qualities — as well as in our own families and selves. In Hinduism, the color green is heavily linked to Prince Rama, a manifestation of Vishnu who spent the majority of his life in exile in the heart of forests. During Holi, many married women wear green saris and bracelets in his honor throughout central India.

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Victory! Yellow, the color of prosperity

Dark Tangerine, is a very appealing neutral color, and it is also a very symbolic and sacred. Yellow is a color used in many religious and social ceremonies throughout India. Made from turmeric powder, it is considered an extremely effective repellent with antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It was most likely the yellow powder’s antiseptic properties that encouraged the application of turmeric paste on or near the front door of Indian homes in the past, a long-lasting tradition for protection. In Hinduism, yellow is the color of Lord Vishnu, and it represents victory, purity, prosperity, and opulence. When you see an image of Vishnu, he’s always dressed in yellow clothing, which made all folk dress in yellow as a way to manifest and attract wealth and abundance for their family and life.

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Blazing colors and traditions

India captivates travelers with its vibrant colors, traditions and flavors. During the Holi festivities, it becomes an explosion of paint and pigments! Holi, also known as the Festival of Spring, the Festival of Colors or the Festival of Love, takes place following the Purnima of Phalgun, the full month of the twelfth Hindu month, which matches up with March/April in the Gregorian calendar. The evening of the full moon is known as Holika Dahan, where pyres and bonfires are lit to celebrate the upcoming celebrations and leave behind bad energies as well as reconcile with our loved ones. Let’s learn more about the Holi festival and its roots here.

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The origin of Holi

Fire and devotion

Like all great tales, there was an evil king, Hiranyakashipu — whose name means “clothed in gold” — who tried to kill his own son, Prahlada, for not worshiping him as he did the god Vishnu. The king tried to end the life of his son, and convinced his sister Holika - who could withstand a blazing fire thanks to a boon — to lure him and enter a burning pyre with her. The legend has it that Holika had to pay the price for her sinister aspirations with her life, as she had no idea that the boon only worked by entering the fire alone. Prahlada, who kept chanting the name of Vishnu all the while, emerged unscathed, as he was blessed by his extreme devotion. Thus, Holi gets its name from Holika and is celebrated as a festival of good triumphing over evil. The night before Holi, in North India, Nepal, and some regions of South India, people share pieces of wood for the Holika bonfire and pyres that represent this myth.

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Sailing and discoveries

Traveling in the Eighteen Century

Back in the eighteen century, a journey from England to India would take approximately six months to Bombay, but then you may have another three or four months of travel before arriving to your final destination. When European ships first sailed around Africa and into South Asia, they opened up a new transoceanic route for a wide range of travelers, both sides. From this time period, many illustrations and representations of the Holi festival were brought back to England, by travelers shocked at the colorful and vividness of the celebrations held, sparking a tremendous interest in the Hindu culture and traditions.

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Holi takes over the world!

The expansion of colors

Colors can be found all around us, as well as celebrations about the end of winter, and embracing the new spring and well-deserved love. That’s why the Holi festival has no boundaries and has been welcomed with open arms by many cultures and countries. The festival takes us away from our daily routines and duties by splashing them with bright colors and laughter. In the States, a huge Indian community celebrates Holi with enthusiasm and care, accompanied by street music, drinks and delicious food! Spectacular Holi events can be found in cities like Kathmandu, Melbourne, Fiji, Pakistan, Leicester, Madrid or even São Paulo. Many more can be found in smaller cities, so what are you waiting for?

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The ABC of the Holi festival

Enjoying the celebration

Enjoying a cultural festive with respect is part of the fun! Consequently, it’s important to grasp and comprehend the names and meanings behind Holi. The first day of the celebration is the Holika Dahan or Choti Holi, bonfires are lit. The next and second of Holi is known as Rangwali Holi, Dhuleti, Dhulandi or Dhulivandan. On this day, color paint and water fill all the streets, along with delicious food and drink. Speaking of food, it’s tough not being starved after all the color-throwing and running around! Take a break and enjoy some gujiya! A sweet dumpling that families make at home, consisting of dry fruits, suji and sweet khoa. So tasty!

Breathtaking Colors, Happiness, and Fun Around the World — Where to Celebrate and Enjoy the Holi Festival

India is the heart and soul of the Holi festival, having witnessed its growth and evolution over the years and seeing how cities and countries all over the world have warmly welcomed it. The Holi tradition has been adopted by places all over Asia and South Asia, in countries like Nepal or Indonesia, each with their own twists and peculiarities. Except that the celebration has spread, everywhere! Large festivals are held in both the United Kingdom and the United States. Do you want to know more about these festivities?

India

India is a place where color is doubly bright. Pinks that scald your eyes, blues you could drown in “The birthplace of Holi”, India commemorates the triumph of good over evil, Although it is a Hindu festival, it is quite popular among non-Hindus. The Holi festival is celebrated across the whole of India, with different traditions in each region. In general, the festivities of Holi are more energetic in North India — particularly in the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra — than in the Southern part of India, which are more focused on religion and temple rituals. Nonetheless, Holi is celebrated in every little corner of these cities. On the morning of the festival, people in Delhi lead a colossal carnival; where the young and old, men and women, all go out to the streets and smear colored powders and water while singing, dancing and chanting “Holi hai”, which means “It is Holi!”.

Nepal

The Nepali name for the Holi festival is Fagu Purnima. Nepalese, like Hindus, celebrate Holi on the day of the full moon - Purnima - in Falgun, the 11th month of the Nepali calendar. Holi is most popular in India and Nepal, which have the highest concentrations of Hindus. Children begin playing with colors about a week before the Holi festival. Then, in Kathmandu’s Basantapur Square, a long bamboo stick known as “lingo” is raised and wrapped in various colored ribbons and clothes to become Chir, a ceremonial pole adorned with a colorful crown. The lingo is cut down the day before Holi, and the chir is burned, signaling the start of Holi. This tradition, already familiar to us, is known as Chir Dahan or Holika Dahan. Where fire symbolizes the victory of good, and to embrace and forgive our loved ones.

United Kingdom

The Holi festival is especially popular in the United Kingdom, where Indians are the second-largest ethnic minority, with over 1.4 million of Indians residing in the UK. Festivals allow them to connect with their families and cultural roots. Leicester, is well-known for its enthusiasm over Indian festivals shared by its community. When the occasion is a joyful festival such as Holi, excitement is at its peak. Parades are held, and people visit their friends and relatives in the evening to exchange greetings and sweets. They hug and apply “tilak”, the iconic hand-drawn mark worn in the forehead, together as they celebrate Holi in a more traditional and ritual style. But Holi also sees the light of different colors each year, with new color runs, marathons, music festivals and even Bollywood themed celebrations.

United States

The United States is known for its cultural diversity, and it is surely one of the countries that participates in the festival of colors, after all, there’s no better way to start the spring season! Smaller events can be found in every major city and state, such as Los Angeles, Utah, New York, Nevada, and Chicago. Holi Meets are held to assist the next generation in identifying and feeling closer to their cultural roots. Children learn about the significance of festivals and the legends associated with them. But not all things are ritual, In the United States, Holi is more than just a celebration of cultural beliefs; it is also a time to preach friendship, happiness and love. Stop by Seattle for a cup of kadak chai and a taste of authentic Indian cuisine, stroll by Governors Island in New York City for some Holi Hai fun, or indulge in a bit of India meets America tradition in Houston.

Indonesia

Traditions and events that Indonesians have seen in Bollywood movies, and on tv and books so many times, also take the streets of Jakarta and many cities as the colors and powders of Holi cover everything. Hinduism is Indonesia’s third-largest religion, currently practiced by approximately 1.7 percent of the total Indonesian population. This means that Holi takes the same shape and form as it does in its neighboring India, as Indian Indonesians and Hindus celebrate Holi as a tremendously vibrant, colorful and cheerful festival. The main celebrations take place in the cities of Medan and Bali, but festivals can be found all over the country, bringing families together and enjoying traditional dishes like Malpua, Thandai and Kachori.

South America

South American countries also celebrate Holi with their own traditions, each based on their history and relationship with South Asia. Holi is known as Phagwa in Guyana, where Hindus make up approximately 33% of the population. Colored powder (abrack) and water (abeer) are thrown during the festivities, representing the tradition that sprinkling abeer and abrack was meant to symbolically erase social and economic distinctions. It is also known as Phagwa in Trinidad and Tobago, it being brought to the island by the Hindus who migrated there around 1845. The peculiarity of Tobago is that a unique genre of folk song called Chowtal is sung, and the music is typically performed using only two instruments, the majeera and the dholak. Countries like Brazil, Mexico or Argentina also share their unique celebrations of Holi with love and family in mind.

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