Holi, the festival of colours, the festival of friendship and love

Celebrating Holi with Gujiya and Gulal

By Coins Reporter | Aesthetics | 25 Mar 2024

It's customary that during the vibrant festival of Holi, my small town comes alive with colorful celebrations and time-honored traditions. People come out of their houses with a packet of 'Gulal' (Dry Powder Color) in the morning and welcome guests to their houses in the evening and serve them with yummy mouth watering 'gujiyas' and other festive sweets only prepared on Holi.

Gujiya, a sweet, especially preapred on Holi in India

Holi is among the few times of the year when most of my family comes together(all my brothers/cousins come home). It starts on the evening of ‘Holika Dehan’, a bonfire, with the smell of delicious ‘Poori Halwa’ cooking in the kitchen. Then after the traditional pooja (worship), we wait for Holika (A female mythological demon in Hindus who do not burn in fire) to be lit up which is announced by shrieks and drums. Most of the people from neighbourhood assemble on the crossroad and the bonfire lits up. All of this is a jolly affair some people dancing, some distributing ‘prasaad’and others going round the fire.This Great Indian Bonfire is indeed a spectacular sight.
Holika Dahan, the bonfire tradition, on Holi in India

The next day starts early. First is putting oil on our bodies so that color comes off easily later when we bath.Then, the water balloon, though cliche, is a tradition. A few hours are spent in filling water balloons which we then exhaust in a few minutes in hitting the passer-bys and a few confused monkeys from our terrace. Along with the balloons, there is also buckets of ice cold water where we literally put in ice from the freezer where we had especially put in water to freeze last night. The all of my family, extended family plays with colors. One of the marked feature of this is a water tank where everyone has to take a dip on entering the terrace.
Playing with colors on Holi in India

After playing and bathing begins ‘Holi Milan’ when we visit the houses of all the people in our neighbourhood. Everyone offers something to eat (Gujiya being the most common).

Beyond their culinary appeal, these sweets and delicacies hold deeper cultural significance, symbolising the sweetness of life and the joy of abundance. They evoke memories of childhood and family gatherings, where laughter and love flowed freely, transcending barriers of age and background.

In essence, the rituals and traditions of Holi serve as a bridge between the past and the present, connecting generations and cultures in a colourful tapestry of joy and celebration. As people come together to mark the festival, they reaffirm their bonds of friendship and solidarity. Holi is my favourite festival.

However, I believe that Holi isn't alone on the planet that brings people together and binds with the essence of friendship and and love. In every part of the world and in every religion such festivals happen to exist. So, share with me, what's that festival in your part of the world that is similar to Holi and that is your personal favourite.