India: People Celebrate Holi, Festival Of Colors Across Country
India celebrates the colourful Festival of Colours, Holi, with great enthusiasm. It is a moment when people together to share happiness and celebrate, signifying the victory of good over evil. The celebrations include eating traditional foods and sweets, splattering water, and covering each other with colorful powders.
On the eve of Holi, the celebration commences with Holika Dahan, a bonfire where participants assemble to carry out rituals and offer prayers for the vanquishment of evil. The next day, everyone takes part in the color wars, regardless of age or social standing, and the air is filled with a variety of hues. This happy occasion, which also heralds the approach of spring, is a celebration of forgiveness and love.
Holi will be observed on March 25th in 2024, with the major festivities beginning on March 24th and continuing for two days1. While Holi is celebrated all around the country, the greatest locations to do so are Pushkar2, Vrindavan, Mathura, Varanasi, Goa, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Jaipur, Udaipur, Manipur, and Hampi.
If you want to participate in the festival, it’s advised to enjoy Holi safely by dressing in old clothing, putting oil on your skin and hair to keep the colors from adhering, and being considerate of other people’s comfort levels. It’s a singular encounter that perfectly captures the essence of India’s diverse cultural heritage.
What are the traditional sweets eaten during Holi?
A range of traditional sweets are consumed during Holi to heighten the joyful atmosphere. These are a few of the well-known ones:
Gujiya: A delicious dumpling that is perfectly golden-fried after being filled with a blend of dried fruits, sugar, and khoya (milk solids).
Thandai: Despite being a beverage, thandai, which is prepared with milk, almonds, and spices like cardamom and saffron, is a key component of Holi. It is frequently mixed with bhang, or cannabis leaves, to heighten the celebrations.
Ladoo: Made from a variety of ingredients, including wheat, ghee, and sugar, they are spherical, delicious balls. Many varieties of ladoos are popular, such as boondi ladoo and besan (chickpea flour) ladoo2.
Peda: A smooth, cardamom-flavored treat that resembles fudge and is made from khoya
Malpua: These are syrup-soaked sweet pancakes that are frequently topped with rabri, or thickened, sweetened milk.3. Rasmalai: Cardamom and saffron-flavored, flattened balls of chenna (cottage cheese) dipped in malai (cream).3. Shakarpara: Dough consisting of flour, sugar, and ghee that is formed into bite-sized pieces and deep-fried before being covered in sugar syrup.
These treats add to the festival’s joy, along with the brilliant colors, dancing, and music of Holi. If you’d like to give some of these treats a try, they can lend a festive touch to your festival celebration. Savor the taste of Holi!
India: People Celebrate Holi, Festival Of Colors Across Country