It was about this time last year that we told the kids we would be spending this year in India. One of the first things we came across when researching India on the Internet, was the Holi Festival. The kids were excited at the thought of celebrating this festival... and you will soon see why. It is a kid's dream, really. And a time when grown ups can act like kids.
I will spare you all the details of the origins of this festival (I know this is not like me, but quite frankly, I am just too darn tired tonight to fact check!).
The main event of Holi is indeed a carnival of colors. On this day, children, friends and neighbors come out on the streets. And the spree to color-anyone-you-see takes over. Colors of all form and variety. They come in every color of the rainbow. And they are available in oil, water or powder base. Colored powder, or, gulal was earlier made out of Dried seeds of some tropical flowers like the Palash, and dried silt from the riverbed. People throw these colored powders in the air as they shout "Holi Hai!", and smear each other with this colored powder. Throw some water into the mix, why not??? It makes for one "Holi" mess. But also so much fun!!
Holi is celebrated throughout India. In big cities and small villages. On roadsides and in neighborhoods.
Just seeing the neat cones of powder on the roadside vendor's carts, is amazing.
I took these pictures in town, just outside of Palm Meadows...
We had some neighbors and friends over after school today to celebrate. Holi Festival of Color did not disappoint... check it out...
Somehow I look completely clean in this shot, let me assure you, I WAS NOT !!!
Our driver, Harish, got a splash of color from Lauren!
We may need to carry this tradition back to the states with us... it was terrific fun!
1 comment:
I can't believe I missed this by only a few days! I know ---- no one would believe that I would have actually enjoyed being a part of something so messy, however who would have thought I would be missing Indian food!!!
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