Festival of Colors and embracing celebration
Photo by Nandhu Kumar
by Roli Jain
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Some things fill even the most miserable heart with joy and wonder. Spotting a rainbow, a colorful arch painted across the sky, the golden rays of sun falling on your face by a sea of blue. A hug from your loved one, a smile from a stranger, and a celebration without inhibitions!
What if there were an event where you could actually be surrounded by vivid colors — pronounced reds, greens, and blues? Imagine being able to douse others in those colors and being soaked in them yourself while coming together as a community, eating, dancing your troubles away, and spreading love and joy all around.
This is what Holi, the Festival of Colors, is all about.
Holi, an Indian festival, is becoming increasingly popular across the world with Holi events organized annually in the UK, USA, and elsewhere. So, what is it about Holi that is so appealing?
A man covered in Holi powder in West Bengal, India. Photo by Soumalya Das.
Holi: the festival of colors and enjoyment
Holi marks the arrival of spring in India, where the season is associated with fresh beginnings. New life is coming into being among the trees and animals alike and flourishing abounds.
There’s a natural lift in the human spirit too and on the day of Holi, people come together to engage in colorful play with one another. They smear each other with Gulal, colored powders that come in all the colors you can imagine. Some also use Pichkari, or water guns to inundate each other with colored water. Special snacks and sweets are prepared and enjoyed together as a community during these festivities. Chilled glasses of thandai (traditionally spiked with cannabis leaves), a special Holi drink, are passed along as people sing, dance, eat, and enjoy freely on the roads — all colorful nods to the occasion.
Holi is a time when social codes tend to be relaxed and playfulness, including between strangers, is encouraged.
The power of colors and community
Research suggests that colors influence our behavior, with colors like red bringing about feelings of arousal and warmth and blue inducing relaxation and calm, for instance.
Colors can also influence our emotional processing, which might be reflected in our moods and can affect our sleep quality.
Dr. Sandra Boynton, executive director of NAMI Broward County, says, “People need to be connected. We were not meant to be in isolation. This became evident during the pandemic. People thrive when they belong.”
Scientists have discovered that an individual’s sense of community can be associated with reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.
No wonder Holi is becoming so popular around the world, as it centers both colors and community — something we all could probably benefit from cultivating and celebrating more.
So, how can you be a part of a Holi celebration?
Holi festival in Spanish Fork, UT. Photo by John Thomas
Holi: how to participate in the Festival of Colors
Given its popularity, it is likely that you can join a Holi event organized near you. In the USA, two biggest celebrations are in Spanish Fork, Utah and Houston, Texas. Spanish Fork’s Holi is organized by ISKCON and they call it the world’s greatest chant and dance party. There is nonstop live music, hourly color throws, great food, and even an area for kids. Meanwhile, Houston Holi promises color play, street foods, and lots of Bollywood dancing and fun. In fact, from Los Angeles to Chicago to New York, most major cities have a Holi celebration of some kind.
If big celebrations are not accessible for you, consider contacting your local Hindu temple or Indian Students Association (ISA). These groups may be hosting a smaller and more intimate Holi celebration that you might be invited to attend. You can also join Holi celebrations in countries that have a large Hindu population — Canada, Australia, UK, and United Arab Emirates, for example.
However, if you are feeling more adventurous and would like a deep cultural experience, traveling to North India for an authentic experience of Holi might appeal to you. The celebration typically falls in March and you can join Holi festivities throughout North India. Some of the best places to enjoy Holi in India are Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, Shantiniketan, Udaipur, Pushkar, Delhi, and Jaipur.
Remember, traditionally, Holi is a family and community event, which means that you should feel free to organize events locally and enjoy the occasion in your own way.
Here are some simple steps:
Buy the colors, water guns, and treats from a local store, online, or make what you need at home
Download a Holi playlist from a music app
Plan some Holi-based games
Invite your favorite people
Be joyous, grateful, and open as you pay tribute to the changing seasons and all of the symbolism of renewal, color, and connectedness throughout nature and society
Follow these steps and you’ve got yourself a Holi party! Let the power of colors and community work their magic.
Inside tip: apply lots of oil on your body before you start playing so the color comes off easily, and remember to play safe and carefully.