Coming fast on the heels of Thursday's RED NOSE DAY post, I couldn't help but think this festival had similarities ......
Witness the beauty of the great cupid festival which excites curiosity as the townsfolk are dancing at the touch of brownish water thrown from squirt-guns.
They are seized by pretty women while all along the roads the air is filled with singing and drum-beating.
Everything is coloured yellowish red and rendered dusty by the heaps of scented powder blown all over.
- Ratnaval, 7th century drama
As many of you are now aware, I'm not a religious person but tend to think of myself as quite a spiritual person in that I have an interest in people of all faiths as well as those of none.
Anyway, getting on with today's post. I noticed this festival mentioned in a 'The Week To Come' column in a newspaper and thought, hmm interesting - I need to find out more.
The festival in question? The festival of Holi.
A Hindu festival, associated with Krishna, that welcomes Spring and celebrates new life and energy, Holi is the most energetic of the Indian festivals filled as it is with fun and humour. It is also the time when the distinctions of caste, class, age and gender are put aside.
Also known as the Festival Of Colours many celebrate by covering each other in paint and throwing dye around.
Bonfires are lit in the streets after dark which purifies the air the air of evil spirits and marks the story of Holika and Prahalad.
Seen by many as being similar to the spirit of St. Valentine's Day there is much flirting between the sexes and in one part of India a tradition of men and women taking part in mock battles, the rule being the men are not allowed to fight back. - BBC Religions (Click HERE to read more)
For even more details about this festival I recommend you visit Arti at MY YATRA DIARY.
17 comments:
Hi Tracy! This festival sounds so interesting! Thanks for posting about it :)
Hey Tracy, thanks alot for being interested and posting about them about your blog. It's the festival from my religion, I am from India, and it's amazing to hear someone apart from my own culture talk about it. Happy Holi and Red Nose Day. Take care and I absolutely enjoyed your last post. Lol I fantasize that one day you would be a critic of my book and post it on you blog, I would be so elated =]..one day..
Take care
BH
Thats a wonderful post Tracy, yes Holi is the second biggest festival in India... Will post on it tomorrow, though I dont take part in the color part of it!!
Wishing you and family Happy Holi:-):-)
PW,
I am so happy....I am sharing this article with all friends.
The title of this post, description, presentation is so good.
Coming from a person of Non Indian origin, it is a treat to read this article.
THANK YOU !!!
(I was planning to write an article on Holi but it is not worth now...I can never match your post)
Hi Petty That's so sweet of you to explore the traditions of different countries.Good post.
Hi Tracy,
Holi is the second biggest festival in India..a festival of colors and it is said we should forgive our enemies and befriend with them on this day.
It is celebrated on a full moon day and not to mention I clicked some shots of moon today. :-)
Thanks for sharing your wonderful thoughts on this.
I always appreciate the information you share with us. We never get too old to learn new things!
hi,I came to know about your blog...
thanks for sharing...
Happy holi...its wonderful to always know about other culture or traditions!
I've heard of this. Sounds like a great way to get rid of some pent up frustration! :)
Wonderfully written. 'A' shared it and it was a pleasure to read it. Thank you :)
Tanvi
from © tanvii.com
Sounds like a fun one. I may have to convert just to enjoy this.
Thats a perfect description of Holi. Wonderful Post! Happy Holi to everyone!
The festival sounds interesting!
Thanks for sharing this. :)
Have a great rest of your weekend!
B xx
I miss Holi festival which is celebrated with lot of fun in my home town.Where I am at present, there is no Holi:(
As a teaching assistant I used to get to learn new things with the kids.
We learnt about Holi in RE. A lovely celebration.
carol
Hi
There are many festivals in India,with religious roots,but celebrated by every one.We don't remember the religious link to it,but just look at the spirit of life in it.Just the way the colors are spread, the spirit of Holi fills up your space with vibrant colors.
Let the colors remain for ever.
The festival of Holi sounds like fun.
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