Holi– The Festival of Colours

Holi is the festival of colors that is celebrated in India to welcome the spring. The festival ushers in the energy and joy of the season and the celebrations begin on the full moon day of the month of Phalgun. This is characterized by a lot of verve, energy and enthusiasm! Everyone is treated equally and it is the best day to enjoy with not only friends and family, but also strangers as you throw colours on each other without any reservations!

Why Do We Celebrate Holi Festival?

Holi is also called the festival of colours and the festival of love which marks the end of winter and for most people it is an opportunity to meet others, play and laugh, smear colours on each other, exchange special Holi gifts to forget and forgive as well as repair relationships. Holi celebrations begin with a bonfire with religious rituals called Holika Dahan. People gather around and pray for their internal evils to be destroyed with the purifying fire element. Some people exchange gifts or send Holi gifts online for the Holika Dahan as the next day is reserved for fun and frolic with colours, sweets and thandai. This Holi 2018, drench your loved ones in love with water guns, coloured water filled balloons and dry colours. You may even gift a complete packet of organic colours with zero harmful effects. Holi Gift ideas include set of herbal colours, fun, white T-shirts with painted graphics, and homemade sweets and snacks packages which can be enjoyed by everyone.

What is the History of Holi?

Holika Dahan, which marks the beginning of the celebrations, is celebrated to mark the victory of good over evil as it signifies the fire that burned Holika, the sister of the demon king Hiranyakashipu. Another legend in the Braj region of India is related to commemorating the love of Krishna and Radha. The festival is celebrated as Rangpanchami in central India with a mythical symbolism. It is said that in his youth, the dark skinned Krishna often despaired whether the fair skinned Radha and the other Gopis would like him or not. Tired of his desperations, his mother Yashoda tells him to colour her face in any colour of his choice! Ever since, the playful coloring of Radha’s face by Krishna is commemorated and celebrated as Holi! This is why this is also an opportune moment for new love to blossom!

There are other legends too that involve Shiva and Parvati, but the ultimate reason for celebrating Holi is love and victory of good over evil. It is a great opportunity to meet friends and family, make new friends, and accept and forgive mistakes. Gifts are exchanged in the evenings when the playful colour smearing has ended and the effect of thandai has worn off. Even if you are not close to your family this Holi, you can still send your love and let the emotions talk via heartfelt gifts. Holi gifts are cherished forever in memories so you may send personalized ones too. So what are you waiting for? Happy Holi!