Holi
Also called Fagu Purnima, Rangwali Holi
The festival of colors, and nobody stays clean
What it is
March, on the full moon
Holi is the festival of colors, and it marks the end of winter. The night before, people light a bonfire for Holika Dahan. The story goes that Prahlad, a boy who prayed to Vishnu, came out of the fire safe while his aunt Holika burned. The next day, everyone throws colored powder and water at each other.
How people celebrate
People throw gulal, colored powder, at friends, family and total strangers.
Water balloons and water guns called pichkaris come out.
In Barsana, near Mathura, women play-hit men with sticks in a tradition called Lathmar Holi.
People drink thandai, a cold milk drink with nuts and spices.
In Nepal it's called Fagu Purnima, and the hill areas celebrate a day before the Terai.
What people eat
- Gujiya
- A fried pastry filled with sweet khoya, coconut and nuts.
- Thandai
- Cold milk with almonds, fennel, cardamom and rose.
- Dahi vada
- Soft lentil fritters soaked in yogurt with sweet and spicy chutney.
- Malpua
- Small sweet pancakes fried and dipped in syrup.
Did you know?
One story says Krishna started the color throwing when he playfully colored Radha's face.
What SASA is doing
We want to do something for Holi in the spring. Watch @evhs.sasa for the date.