Holi why throw paint

It was even described in detail in a 7th century Sanskrit play called "Ratnavali," written by the Indian emperor Harsha. Everything is colored yellowish red and rendered dusty by the heaps of scented powder blown all over," wrote Harsha. Indian students smear colored powder during an event to celebrate the Hindu festival of Holi in Kolkata in How it looks today.

Although a Hindu festival, Holi is celebrated by Indians across the country and is a great equalizer. Children can douse elders with water, women splash men with color and the rules of caste and creed are briefly forgotten with everyone taking part. The evenings are spent visiting friends and family. A national holiday, it takes place on the last full moon day of the Hindu lunisolar calendar month, which is usually March.

This year's national holiday falls on Wednesday, March The festival takes place a day earlier in the eastern states of West Bengal and Odisha. In some parts of northern Uttar Pradesh state, the festivities take place over a week. An Indian artist dressed as Hindu god Lord Shiva takes part in a procession ahead of the Holi festival in Amritsar in Holi is split into two days: Holika Dahan and Rangwali Holi. While the former includes people creating a bonfire to signify good defeating evil specifically the God Vishnu helping to burn the devil Holika to death , the latter is the day of colour.

The story goes that Krishna the blue-skinned deity was in love with Radha but thought she would never fall for him because of his skin colour. Apparently, his mother playfully told him he could use coloured powder to make them both the same. I'm not sure the Henries and Tabithas chucking paint packets at each other are thinking too much about religious fables about race and love. Whatever your views are on cultural appropriation, it's jarring seeing mostly white audiences use these traditions as an excuse for a drunken day out, with no visible relationship to the Holi in India.

Ultimately, Indians cannot stop the widespread adoption of colour fights, but those who insist on wiling away summer afternoons by throwing paint at each other should at least know something about Holi before they do. In India, red is a sign of love, fertility and matrimony. Yellow is synonymous with tumeric, which has medicinal properties. Blue is the colour of Krishna, while green symbolises new beginnings and is the sacred colour of the Muslim community in India.

Traditionally the powders were made of flowers, herbs and other natural substances, many of which had medicinal purposes. Today, most gulals are synthetic.

Natural powders can be made at home by crushing leaves, berries, sandalwood and other plants, or by mixing henna with flour. The powders often stain clothes, hair and skin, however moisturising can help lessen the effects. India celebrates Holi festival with traditional coloured powders. And is there a specific day of the year Holi takes place. I know you said to welcome spring. Thank you again Kate. Glad you enjoyed the article about Holi festival.

It is usually in March. Your articles are really interesting. But amazing article. I believe today that people are more concerned with health issues related to the celebration and are making safe powders.

Holi is a fun filled and very colourful day! I also wrote about Holi on my blog. Thanks for stopping by my article on Holi and letting me know about yours. It is such a fun and colorful celebration that I love knowing more about it. Color Meaning. Color Psychology. Color Theory. Books About Color. Quotes About Color.

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