Holi Festival
Is the most boisterous of all Hindu festivals, observed all over the North.
It heralds the end of winter and the beginning of the Spring.
The night before the full moon, crowds of people gather together and light
huge bonfires to burn the residual dried leaves and twigs of the winter.
People throw coloured water and powders (gulal and kumkum) at each other
and make merry. Singing and dancing add to the gaiety of the occasion.
In the northern, western as well as eastern regions, Holi celebrates the
joyful raasleela of Krishna and the gopis.
They play phag which is a game of many colourful hues.
It is a joyous celebration of the rejuvenation of nature, and renewed hope
of happiness and peaceful coexistence. Especially famous is the Lathmaar
Holi of Barsana and Nandgaon.
In Anandpur Sahib, Sikhas celebrate a special festival Hola Mohalla on the
day after Holi . It marks a display of ancient martial arts and mock battles.
Holi is also an occasion for the celebration of the burning of Kama, the
Hindu cupid, with the fire that emanated from Lord Shiva's third eye.
