Holi -- Rituals of the Festival

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Holi -- Rituals of the Festival

The festival of Holi begins on Duwadashi - on the twelfth day of the

waxing moon of the month of Phalgun. Three days before the full

moon, Rang Pashi brings Holi into all households.

Spirits run high as the preparations for the festivities begin, as a

custom, mothers make new clothes for their married daughters.

Coloured powder (Gulal) is bought and prepared, long syringes called

`pichkaris` are made ready and water balloons are bought and filled.

 

Preparations are made to cook the special food items exclusively

meant for this festival. The families get together in the evenings

when people visit each other to perform the formal sprinkling of

colour.

 

Three days before the full moon, `Rang Pashi` brings Holi into all

households. To begin the celebrations, a `thali` or plate is

arranged with coloured powders and coloured water is placed in a

small brass container called a `lota`. The eldest male member of the

family begins the festivities by sprinkling coloured water and

powders on each member of the assembled family. It is then the turn

of the younger ones to do the same. In this unique way, affection

and blessings are shared by all in the family. The celebrations on

this day end with the partaking of food specially cooked for this

occasion - gujjia, papri and kanji ke vade. Sometimes, meat dish

like kofta curry is also served. It is customary to serve drinks

before the meal.

 

The next day is known as `Puno`. On this day, Holika is burnt in

keeping with the legend of Prahlad and his devotion to lord Vishnu.

In the evening, huge bonfires are lit on street corners at the

crossroads. Usually this is a community celebration and people

gather near the fire to fill the air with folk strains and dances.

Sheaves of green gram and wheat are roasted in the bonfire and

eaten.

The actual festival of Holi takes place the day after this. This day

is called `Parva`. Children, friends and neighbours gather on the

streets and a riot of colour takes over. Coloured powders called

`abeer` or `gulal` are thrown into the air and smeared on faces and

bodies. `Pichkaris` are filled with coloured water and this is

spurted onto people. Water balloons are thrown at friends and

neighbours in the spirit of fun. Sometimes, mud baths are prepared

and people are `dunked` into this amidst much laughter and teasing.

 

The visitors carry `abeer` or `gulal` to pay their respects to

elders by sprinkling some on their feet. The younger crowd is

drenched with buckets of coloured water and pummeled with water

balloons. `Dholaks` or Indian drums are heard everywhere and the

songs of Holi are carried by the voices of these merry-makers. There

is no `puja` or worship associated with this festival of colours.

Some `gulal` or `abeer` is smeared on the faces of the Gods,

especially Radha and Krishna at the commencement of the festivities.