Holi-The Colours of Life Come Live - The Day and the Colourful Sequence

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The festival of Holi begins on Dwadasi (the twelfth day of the waxing moon) in the Lunar month of Phalguna (This is the twelfth lunar month in which the moon’s change takes place, when the Sun is in Pisces.) Spirits of people starts to run high as the preparations for the festivities begin. A custom is in practice for mothers to make new clothes for their married daughters.

Rang Pashi brings Holi into all households, three days before the full moon. Earlier, the household Purohit or Priest was invited to begin the celebrations and this form had been taken over with the family head replacing to do the priest’s job. How it starts?

A plate arranged with distinctive coloured powders and a container filled with coloured water is decorated and placed in the middle of the house. The eldest male family member or head of the family launches the festivity by sprinkling the powders and waters on the family members assembled on the occasion. Every member would do this in a systematic way. This unique system is said to be practised for sharing the affection and blessings by every member of the family.

This comes to a close with the partaking of food specially prepared for the occasion that normally include Gujia, Papdi and Cangi Wada. Non-vegetarians prepare Kofta curry too and it is habitual to serve drinks before the meal.

The next day will be called as “Puno”. Holika’s effigies are burnt to upkeep the legend of Prahlada and his devotion to Lord Vishnu, on this day. Huge bonfires will be lit on the street corners at the crossroads. This gradually had become a community celebration of people. They gather near the fire to fill the air with folk songs and dances around it. During the occasion sheaves of green gram and wheat are roasted in the bonfire and eaten by the participants.

Now, the actual festival of Holi takes place the day after this. This day is known as “Padwa”. A riot of colour takes over the children, friends, relatives and neighbours who gather on the streets. Gulal on the major and other colours will be thrown into the air and smeared on each other’s faces and bodies.