Holi, the vibrant Hindu festival of colours, heralds the advent of spring with a joyous annual celebration steeped in cultural and religious significance. Observed widely in India, Nepal, other South Asian nations, and across the global diaspora, the festival is a profound celebration of love, symbolising rebirth and rejuvenation – a time to embrace positivity and release negative energies.
For one of Holi’s most iconic traditions, participants, often dressed in white, take to the streets to playfully douse each other with vibrant powdered dyes, creating a kaleidoscope of pigments and shared happiness.
The festivities are typically accompanied by music, dancing, and an abundance of food. Holi marks the transition from winter to spring, celebrated on the last full moon day of the Hindu luni-solar calendar month of Falgun. While its exact date varies with the lunar cycle, it typically falls in March, and this year will be celebrated on 4 March.
The origins of Holi are deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and lore. In many parts of India, large bonfires are lit on the eve of the festival, symbolising the destruction of evil and the triumph of good. Various mythological tales explain this observance. One prominent story recounts King Hiranyakashipu, who demanded worship from his kingdom.
When his son Prahlad, a devout follower of Lord Vishnu, defied him, the king ordered his sister Holika, who possessed immunity to fire, to take the child into a bonfire. However, as the pyre blazed, the boy’s unwavering devotion to Lord Vishnu protected him, leaving him unharmed, while Holika, despite her supposed immunity, perished in the flames.
Another tradition, particularly in southern India, is known as Kama Dahanam, commemorating Lord Shiva’s incineration of Kamadeva, the god of love, with his third eye. This act symbolises the destruction of lust and earthly attachments, paving the way for higher spiritual pursuits before the joyous explosion of colours.
Some also link Holi to Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha, as well as his cosmic play with his consorts and devotees, known as “gopikas,” revered for their unconditional love and devotion to Krishna.
On the day of Holi itself, entire streets and towns become a riot of colour as people throw powdered dyes into the air. Some fling balloons filled with coloured water from rooftops, while others use squirt guns. For one day, all is fair game, with cries of “Holi hai!” – meaning “It’s Holi!” – echoing through the streets. The festival’s vibrant energy has also been romanticised and popularised through decades of Bollywood cinema.
Each hue carries significance: blue often represents Lord Krishna’s complexion, green symbolises spring and rebirth, while red denotes marriage or fertility. Both red and yellow, frequently used in rituals, signify auspiciousness. A delectable array of special foods accompanies the festivities.
Among the most popular is “gujia,” a flaky, deep-fried sweet pastry filled with milk curd, nuts, and dried fruits. Celebrations are often refreshed with “thandai,” a cooling beverage crafted from almonds, fennel seeds, rose petals, poppy seeds, saffron, milk, and sugar.
Across the diaspora, particularly in North America and other nations with significant Hindu populations, Holi is marked by Bollywood-themed parties, vibrant parades, and a multitude of public and private gatherings.
Some US temples are set to observe Holika Dahan this year on 2 or 3 February, coinciding with the full moon and a rare total lunar eclipse. Hindu temples and community centres across the US frequently organise cultural programmes, friendly cricket matches, and other festivities surrounding the holiday, uniting communities in a spirit of joy and renewal.