Holi is a spring festival also known as festival of colors, and
sometimes festival of love It is an ancient Hindu religious festival which has
become popular with non-Hindus in many parts of South Asia ,
as well as people of other communities.
It is primarily observed in India ,
Nepal ,
and other regions of the world with significant populations of majority Hindus
or people of Indian origin. The festival has, in recent times, spread in parts
of Europe and North Americas as a spring
celebration of love, frolic and colors.
Holi celebrations start with a Holika bonfire on the night
before Holi where people gather, sing and dance. The next morning is free for
all carnival of colors, where everyone plays, chases and colors each other with
dry powder and colored water, with some carrying water guns and colored water-filled
balloons for their water fight. Anyone and everyone is fair game, friend or
stranger, rich or poor, man or woman, children and elders.
The frolic and fight
with colors occurs in the open streets, open parks, outside temples and
buildings. Groups carry drums and musical instruments, go from place to place, sing
and dance. People move and visit family, friends and foes, first play with
colors on each other, laugh and chit chat, then share Holi delicacies, food and
drinks. In the evening, after sobering up, people dress up, visit friends and
family. It is a national holiday in India
