India celebrates Holi: The festival of colours

Holi Celebration

Holi signifies the onset of spring in India, Nepal, and other South Asian nations, along with the victory of good or evil.

Millions of Indians rejoiced in Holi, the Hindu festival known for its vibrant colors, as they joyously applied red, green, blue, and pink powders on each other, danced, and shared food and drinks with loved ones.

Holi, marking the advent of spring in India, Nepal, and beyond, as well as within diaspora communities, honors the divine love shared between the Hindu deities Krishna and Radha. It symbolizes renewal and the shedding of negativity, embracing positivity.

Throughout the nation, people, some adorned in white attire, engaged in spirited color battles, tossing water balloons filled with pigmented water from balconies, or playfully chasing one another with squirt guns in parks. Streets echoed with music as revelers danced in merriment.

Holi traditions vary across the country.

In anticipation of the festival, hundreds of women in two northern towns engaged in a playful tradition where they lightly hit men with wooden sticks in response to teasing. This ritual, dubbed "Lathmar Holi" (stick Holi), draws significant participation from locals and visitors alike.

Food and beverages play a significant role in the festivities. Vendors offered thandai, a traditional milk-based drink infused with dried fruits and sometimes cannabis. Bhang, derived from cannabis leaves, found its way into various traditional treats, including cakes, biscuits, and chocolates, all legally available despite certain state restrictions.

In certain regions, communities kindled large bonfires on the eve of Holi to symbolize the victory of good over evil.

Source: Al Jazeera