8 things you should know about Holi - The Festival of Colors

By Namrata Trikha

1.  Holi is an ancient Hindu Festival celebrated as the festival of colors and it signifies the victory of good over evil, hence the celebrations.

2. Save the date! This year it falls on March 13, 2017.

3. Although it is widely known as the festival of colors, it also symbolizes love and welcoming new beginnings by burying all old hatchets.

4. Holi celebrations start at the night before Holi, with a bonfire.

5. Legend has it that Holika, the sister of demon King Hiranyakashyap, attempted to help her brother take his young son Prahlad’s life. Holika had been blessed such that she could not be harmed by fire. So, she lured Prahlad on to her lap and entered a huge bonfire. However, Prahlad who was a devotee of Naarayan breaks this spell by reciting his lord’s name and comes out of the fire unscathed, while Holika burns to death. The name Holi comes from Holika.

6. People smear each other with colored powders as they celebrate the festival with their family and friends. In bigger cities, there are Holi parties where revelers start water fights, dance, eat and drink until sundown.

7. It’s custom to wear white to a Holi fight!

8. Everyone is welcome to play Holi so, you better not miss out this year!