If you are planning to book tickets for a trip to India in March, be prepared for a holiday full of colours and celebrations. March marks the onset of spring and everyone is in a joyous mood. The season is celebrated throughout the country with great zeal and zest.
The atmosphere is all the more colourful as the fun-packed festival of Holi is also celebrated in March.
Since India is a vast country, different places have different ways of celebrating the festival, but broadly it is about getting together with your friends and family and dousing each other with colours and water.
Roots of the Festival
If you are curious about cultural traditions, you will definitely love the legend of Holi. The festival of Holi celebrates the triumph of good over evil. It is associated with the folklore of Holika, a demoness. She had a boon, which protected her from fire. Holika tried to kill her nephew Prahlad by jumping into fire with him but god had other plans. She died, while Prahlad remained unharmed. The next day, people celebrated the end of Holika in a colourful way. Till date, a bonfire is lit on the night before Holi to symbolise the death of Holika and the morning after, Holi is celebrated.
When and Where
In 2016, Holi will be celebrated on the 24th of March, though at some places the festival will be celebrated on the 23rd. The festivities take place in almost every part of India. Certain places are especially well known for Holi celebrations and also have religious significance, concerning the festival. Places like Shantiniketan in the state of West Bengal celebrate Vasantotsav (festival of spring) while places like Mathura and Vrindavan in the state of Uttar Pradesh are richly steeped in the legends of how Lord Krishna played holi.
Food and Drink during Holi
Apart from smearing each other with colours, there are special feasts. The best way to experience the authentic sense of camaraderie and festivity is to join a house party with a local family. However, many of the hotels also arrange special Holi parties and meals. In quite a few places, the natives consume Thandhai. It’s a cool and sweet intoxicating drink made with the mashed leaves and flower buds of the female cannabis plant.
