I wave at my friends and walk towards them in anticipation of the Holi (pronounced Hoe-lee) party they are throwing this afternoon. As soon as I am within arms' length, however, they grab hold of me and rub colored powder all over my face, hair and body! By the end of the ambush, I am barely recognizable except perhaps for the smile they left on my face. "Happy Holi!!" they yell while preparing to ambush the next attendee.
Holi is an exuberant Hindu festival of springtime and colors that usually happens in March. Friends of all ages throw colored powders at each other and indulge in delicious food and drink to celebrate the vibrancy of the new season! In ancient times, Indians formulated these powders from medicinal plants so that the festival might bring good health to the attendees. Now, however, people usually color the powders with synthetic dyes.
Although Holi is a general celebration of springtime, it also has rituals rooted in the Hindu religion. The Holi festival received its name from Holika (pronounced Hoe-lik-ah), the sister of a demon king, who was consumed by a fire in Hindu mythology. Several Indians, particularly those from northern India, sing and dance around bonfires on the night before Holi to commemorate the burning of Holika.
