Posted: 2007-11-30 03:56:00
I was wondering if someone could tell me more about the Festival of Holi? I learned about it from the movie Outsourced. The movie is the story of a US expat working in India and how he learns to love the culture. The scenes of Holi were breathtaking and beautiful, and made me want to see it myself. When is the festival? Where is it celebrated?
Posted: 2007-12-01 06:42:00
Holi is a festival celebrated around Feb/March in India (mostly in northern India)- it is also known as the festival of colours and marks the onset of spring in this part of the world.
In some places like Kanpur - the fetivities for Holi last as long as one week.
Posted: 2007-12-02 03:35:00
Thanks for the information! This is what I found at Wikipedia: Here's what Wiki says: Holi (Hindi: होली) or Phagwah (Bhojpuri) is a popular, Hindu spring festival, observed in North India and Nepal, also called the Festival of Colours. In West Bengal, it is known as Dolyatra (Doljatra) or Boshonto Utshob ("spring festival").
On the first day, bonfires are lit at night to signify burning Holika.
On the second day, known as Dhulandi, people spend the day throwing coloured powder and water at each other. The spring season, during which the weather changes, is believed to cause viral fever and cold. Thus, the playful throwing of the coloured powders has a medicinal significance: the colours are traditionally made of Neem, Kumkum, Haldi, Bilva, and other medicinal herbs prescribed by Āyurvedic doctors. A special drink called thandai is prepared, sometimes containing bhang (Cannabis sativa). People invite each other to their houses for feasts and celebrations later in the evening.
Rangapanchami occurs a few days later on a Panchami (fifth day of the full moon), marking the end of festivities involving colours.
Holi takes place over two days in the later part of February or early March. As per the Hindu calendar, it falls on the Phalgun Purnima (or Pooranmashi, Full Moon). (In 2007, Holi was celebrated on 3 March, the burning of Holika was on 4 March and the Dhulendi on 5 March.)
That's interesting. My first reaction when I saw the scene in Outsourced of Holi was "that looks toxic". I think it's interesting to know the powder is made of medicine. Apparently there's really no fun without bhang, either. ;)
