Holi: the festival of colours

Holi welcomes spring with colour, music and food. It is kept over two days around the full Moon of Phalguna: the bonfire of Holika Dahan, then the day of colours.

2 min read

Holika Dahan

On the full-Moon evening, bonfires recall the story of Prahlad, whose devotion to Vishnu saved him from the fire, while his aunt Holika burned. The fire is lit after sunset, in Pradosh Kaal, and tradition avoids the Bhadra period; when Bhadra fills the evening, the fire is lit after it ends or on the next evening.

Rangwali Holi

The next morning is Dhulandi, when people play with coloured powder and water, visit friends and share gujiya and thandai. In Braj, celebrations begin days earlier, including the Lathmar Holi of Barsana and Nandgaon; in Bengal and Odisha it is Dol Jatra.

Playing it well

  1. Choose gentle colours Natural or skin-safe colours are kinder to skin, eyes and drains.
  2. Oil first A layer of coconut oil on skin and hair makes colour easier to wash off.
  3. Ask before you colour Holi is for everyone who wants to join; respect those who would rather watch.
  4. Keep animals out of it Colours can harm pets and street animals.