A little masti a little gulal

Holi is the mark and a way to say good bye to the cold and chilly winter and welcoming the spring with a rainbow of colors. It is a festival of colors when all the children and adults gather on the streets and apply gulal of different colors on each other. Holi is the festival when a flood of memories transport me back to my hometown and my childhood. We children used to throw buckets of colored water and water balloons on the passers by from our terrace. The night before huge bonfires were lit, effigies of the demon Holika was burned to symbolize the triumph of good over evil. It is also the celebration of the grains having matured and they are offered to please the Gods. It is the only day when we wear our old clothes and don’t mind getting color stained. There is an atmosphere of merriment all over. It’s a day to throw away worries and enjoy. Every nook and corner presents a colorful sight.

We kids formed tolis or gangs as we sang, danced and threw colors on each other. Similar gangs could be seen every where. There was not a single lane street or compound that did not resound with the shouts of Holi Hai Holi is one of my favorite festivals. While playing Holi I was always most concerned about my hair   as I have long hair. My mother always applied coconut based hair oil as it acts as a protective layer for my hair against the colors and summer heat. We played so much with colors that it was always exhausting. But eating delicious gujiyas and samosas rejuvenated me. In the childhood Holi meant sheer fun. Our Holi day started with sprinkling gulal on the idol of Lord Krishna. Home made Gujiyas were offered as bhog. My mother used to make gulal at home by grinding dried flowers due to which the whole house smelt of flowers and
chandan. Red colour was made with rose flowers, yellow color with haldi and white
color with chameli flowers. Then we helped to make Kanji, a cool drink made with vada. A special thali filled with color was kept in the verandah. Then starting from the eldest as a sign of respect, everyone would put some color on each other. Home made Gujiya, samosas, snacks and kanji were served to everyone. On Holi day, there are no constraints. You can put as much color on anyone and drench anyone repeatedly. Nowadays the celebrations on Holi are different. Due to chemical reactions, skin allergies people stay away from colors. The times are different now. On the day of Holi people should feast together, it is a festival for all regardless of differences in age, sex, status and caste. We kids used to smear and throw colors almost everywhere and on everyone including buildings, animals and the people. For me Holi is set out with colors, water-guns, balloons, mithais, thandai and lots of excitement, and is the most awaited festival of India. Majority of the kids, like me eagerly waited for its arrival. We had a rip roaring fantastic time. I may not be a kid any more but I have decided to play #KhulKeKheloHoli

So what are you going to do this Holi?



“I’m pledging to #KhulKeKheloHoli this year by sharing my Holi memories at BlogAdda in association with Parachute Advansed.”