Holi, also known as the “Festival of Colours,” is a lively celebration that takes place mainly in India and Nepal. It’s an ancient Hindu festival that marks the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. During Holi, people come together to spread happiness and love. Get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant spirit of Holi…

1. Holi comes from the name “Holika”!

Holi is called Holi because it’s a festival where people have lots of fun and celebrate with colours.

The word “Holi” comes from the name “Holika,” who was a character in an old story about the festival.

In that story, Holika tried to do something bad, but in the end, good won, and people celebrate that victory every year during Holi.

2. It has ancient origins and has been celebrated for many years.

Holi, the Festival of Colours, is celebrated a lot in India, where it began.

People in different cities have special ways to celebrate it. In Mathura and Vrindavan, they celebrate Holi because they love the stories about Lord Krishna, who is a beloved god in Hindu mythology.

In Jaipur, Delhi, and Mumbai, big parties happen with lots of music and colourful powder. In Varanasi, people have special celebrations by the river, which is a holy place for Hindus.

In Udaipur, they have big parades and dances, where everyone joins in the fun. Holi is not just in India though. People in other countries celebrate it too because it’s so joyful and colourful.

3. The vibrant coloured powders are known as “gulal”.

Holi powder, also known as “gulal,” is made using special ingredients to create the colourful powders used during the festival.

First, people mix things like corn starch or rice flour to make the base. Then, they add natural stuff like turmeric for yellow, beetroot for red, spinach for green, and indigo for blue to make different colours.

They mix everything together until it’s smooth and then let it dry.

Once it’s dry, they put it in bags to use during Holi celebrations. It’s important to make sure the powder is safe for our skin and the environment, so they use only natural things to make it.

4. Each colour means different things!

In Holi, each colour has a special meaning that adds to the fun and joy of the festival.

• Red is for love and happiness, like the warm feeling you get when you’re with your family and friends.
• Yellow is for new beginnings, like the start of spring when everything starts growing again.
• Green is for nature and good luck, like when plants grow tall and strong.
• Blue is for being calm and wise, just like the stories of the wise gods we hear about.
• Purple is a mix of red and blue, showing that sometimes it’s good to be both loving and thoughtful.
• Pink is for being happy and having fun, just like when we play games and laugh together during Holi.

All these colours remind us to celebrate with love, laughter, and kindness, making Holi a colourful and happy time for everyone.

5. People light bonfires the night before.

The night before Holi, people gather to light bonfires in a tradition known as “Holika Dahan.”

This ritual symbolises the victory of good over evil and commemorates the story of Prahlad and Holika. According to legend, Prahlad, a devotee of Lord Vishnu, was saved from a fire by divine intervention, while Holika, who tried to harm him, perished.

The bonfires also serve to purify the air and ward off evil spirits, preparing the community for the joyful celebrations of Holi. It’s a time for families and friends to come together, share stories, and strengthen bonds as they prepare for the colourful festivities ahead.

It’s a tradition to have bonfires in the UK too. Find out why.

6. It’s not just coloured powder – water fights are popular too!

During this festival, children armed with pichkaris (water guns) have playful battles, dousing each other with water.

Water balloons are also a popular choice and some households set up sprinklers or large buckets of water!

7. Bhangra is a traditional dance which is often performed!

It’s a time for laughter, music, and dancing.

One traditional dance that is often performed during Holi is called Bhangra.

Bhangra is a lively and energetic dance form that originated in the Punjab region of India. It involves rhythmic movements, clapping, and foot-tapping to the beat of dhol, a traditional drum.

Bhangra dancers wear colourful attire adding to the festive atmosphere of Holi. The dance symbolises the spirit of joy and unity, bringing people closer together as they celebrate the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil.

Do you have a dance move to teach to the world? Tell us in Chance to Dance!

8. Lots of traditional food is eaten.

During Holi, people eat lots of traditional foods that add to the festive spirit.

These include Gujiya, sweet dumplings filled with khoya and nuts, Thandai, a spiced milk drink perfect for the warm weather, Puran Poli, a sweet flatbread stuffed with lentils and jaggery, Malpua, sweet pancakes soaked in sugar syrup, and Dahi Vada, lentil dumplings in seasoned yogurt topped with chutneys.

These delicious treats are not only enjoyed for their flavours but also symbolise the joy and togetherness shared during Holi celebrations.

9. Holi Kajari is a fun tradition with music and dance!

Holi Kajari is a really fun tradition during Holi where a group of men get together to play music and dance.

They bring along musical instruments like drums, flutes, and cymbals, and they make joyful sounds that everyone loves.

While playing their instruments, they also dance around, moving to the beat and spreading happiness all around. It’s like a big party where everyone joins in the fun, clapping and dancing together.

Holi Kajari brings people together to celebrate the festival with music, dance, and lots of laughter.

10. Holi has been celebrated for a long time!

Holi has been celebrated for a really long time, and it’s not just important for religious reasons—it’s also really cool because it’s been celebrated throughout history!

Even famous kings and emperors like Akbar, who was a Mughal emperor, and his friends used to celebrate Holi together.

They would play with colours, dance, and have fun just like we do today! This shows that Holi has always been loved by people from different backgrounds and cultures.

So when we celebrate Holi, we’re not just having fun, we’re also continuing a tradition that’s been enjoyed by people for many, many years!