Millions of Hindus around the world celebrate the festival of Holi, a national holiday in India and Nepal. You may recognize this celebration from photos of colors exploding over a crowd. It’s an unforgettable scene! Hundreds gather to throw bags of colored powder or water balloons in a celebration of love, forgiveness, and springtime. Popular events around the United States, like The Color Run, have taken their inspiration from Holi.
So, What Is Holi?
There are many variations, but here is a brief overview.
Holi is an ancient tradition celebrating Radha Krishna, which is the Hindu god and goddess of love. Legend states Krishna playfully smudged Radha with colors, which marked their romantic relationship.
It is a festival welcoming spring and saying goodbye to winter. It is also known as a festival of love. Holi is celebrated on the last full-moon day of the Hindu calendar month.
For religious observers, the festival brings hope for a successful spring harvest season. It also celebrates love and forgiveness. People play and laugh, eat and drink, forgive and forget.
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The ritual starts on the eve of Holi, when people gather and pray around a bonfire. The bonfire represents the victory of good over evil. There is also singing and dancing into the night.
The day of Holi is when those bold colors come out. Traditionally, these colors were made from organic materials, many of which have medicinal significance in Ayurvedic medicine. But these days, festival goers use powdered colors and dyed water to spray their friends, family, and strangers. People smear colors on each other’s faces or throw water balloons. Drums are played and there is more singing and dancing. Traditional desserts are shared, such as mathri and malpuas, as well as some adult beverages.
How Can I Celebrate with My Family?
Whatever your beliefs, we can all agree that celebrating love and throwing colors around sounds absolutely fun and joyful. Running around the backyard with water balloons filled with colors would be a perfect way to celebrate. Here are a few more activities you may want to try!
Create a colorful painting :: Finger painting or painting with a toothbrush would be great for younger kids. Older kids can do some Pollock-esque painting by flinging paint or, for the more advanced, pour acrylic paint.
Make a Holi shirt :: Welcome the spring season by tie-dying a few t-shirts. It’s creative and gets you outside to enjoy the warm, spring weather in true Holi fashion.
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Send cards to loved ones :: What is more thoughtful than a handmade card? Everyone loves getting surprise snail mail. Have the kids get creative and, of course, use plenty of color!
Produce your own colors :: Make traditional Holi colors by using natural materials you have at home. Experiment with different dried tea leaves and spices to see what makes the prettiest colors.
Bake traditional sweets :: Indian desserts can be complicated, but there are some easier recipes out there. Observing the festival of love with food and bonding in the kitchen just feels right.
Local Celebrations
Here are some great local events celebrating the Festival of Colors!
Dallas Holi Fest :: Allen :: Celebrate Holi at the gorgeous Radha Krishna Temple in Allen on March 30 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This family-friendly event features Bollywood performances and traditional Indian fare.
Fort Worth Festival of Colors :: Fort Worth :: Celebrate Holi at Panther Island Pavillion March 16 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The biggest biggest color in north Texas will feature dance-offs, drum circles, free color powder, and a tug of love. Tickets are $8 each, but children ages 10 and younger get in free.
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Holi Mela Dallas Festival of Colors :: Celebrating 14 years in DFW, this event is hosted by the same folks of the Fort Worth Festival of Colors, so expect similar food and activities on March 23rd at Myers Park and Event Center in McKinney from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tickets start at $12, but children ages 10 and younger get in free.
DFW Maithil Family Holi Milan :: The hosts serve up jackfruit and goat curries alongside desserts and mango lassis at this all day extravaganza in Frisco Commons Park on Saturday, March 23, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Expect plenty of music and an explosion of colors, all for free. RSVP online.
Holi has me excited to celebrate the colors and warmth of the season ahead. How will you enjoy the start of spring?
