You're going to India in the spring, and you want to see all the colors? With a little luck you'll be there for the Holi Festival. Discover everything you need to know about this famous date!
Also known as the "color festival", Phalgunotsava , or Holika , the Holi festival is celebrated throughout India for 2 days in Phalgun during the full moon. The dates vary according to the equinox in February or March according to the Hindu calendar.
The Holi festival is an opportunity for Indians, all castes, to invest the streets in order to spend a convivial and colorful moment. Holi can also be in large cities such as New Delhi, Siliguri, Calcutta, Guwahati and Allahabad. Holi is an intense party in Orissa and Mathura. Extremely popular in India, the festival has been able to seduce, with time and its festive spirit, many cities around the world. In France, in particular, the Holi Run makes thousands of followers.
Would you like to immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of the Holi festival and make the full of good memories full of authenticity? Follow the guide!
History of the Holi Festival
Holi's feast would go back to about centuries before Jesus Christ. Previously a special rite made by married women, for the happiness and well-being of their families, it was also the last opportunity to have fun before the difficult period of plantations.
Over time, its meaning has evolved significantly and varies across regions. In northern India, it is mainly dedicated to Krishna, especially in the Orissa and Mathura regions. In the south, it is in Kāma.
The legend of Holi
Holi, derived from the word Holika , literally means "burning." According to the most common legend, this word would originate from the name of the sister of the king-demon Hiranyakashipu . The latter confessed to a visceral hatred to the god Vishnu who had killed his brother to protect the gods and goddess from his persecution.
Determined to get rid of Vishnou and to enslave gods and devotees, he was finally confronted with the fact that his son — Prahlad — venerated his enemy forever. He tried to kill his own son on many occasions, but he was in Vishnou protection.
Ultimately, he appealed to his sister Holika. In possession of a shawl protecting her from flames, she sat in a bra with her nephew on her knees. But once again, Vishnou protected Prahlad thanks to his breath which transposed the veil on the boy and prevented him from burning. Holika, she finally died in the fire.
Origin of the colour festival
The jet of pigmented powders would be linked to the god Krishna one of the most venerated deities of Hinduism.
In her youth, complexed by the blue shade of her skin, Krishna was jealous of Radha's light complexion. While complaining to his mother, the latter reminded him of the idea of putting color powder on the Radha face. In a playful mood, Krishna followed this advice and it did not depict Radha.
He also enjoyed this little game with the deep — cows’ custodians — by launching powder and jets of water. These vachers with whom he used to spend time, they also enjoyed it. This is how the custom of powder thrown at the Holi lives on the day.
How is the Holi festival going?
The Holi festival takes place in two days:
DAY 1: Holika Dahan
It is the name that designates the first day of the festival. Holi begins with a fire of joy paying tribute to the cremation of the demon Holika and symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
The preparations for this ceremony begin almost 40 days before, and consist of amassing wood and other combustible materials in a specific location. On Day J, the wood pile is added to the effigy of Holika in a fuel material, and that of Prahlad in a non-fuel material.
The wooden cluster is then burned while the people recite mantras Rig-Véda to take away the evil spirits. The remaining ashes, considered sacred, are recovered the next day. The premises spread over the whole body to purify themselves.
DAY 2:Rangapanchami
This is the most important moment of the festival. Day of peace and sharing, rancoeur and negativity are set aside and we wish the best wishes there. In joy and good mood, the participants dressed in white start with colored water and color pigments called "Gulal" .
Small and large, all castes, dance at the rhythm of dholak and sing songs on Holi's theme. In some areas, boys sometimes form a human pyramid so that one of them breaks a jar of buttermilk hung up in a street.
In the middle of this happy agitation, when a fringal gets felt, it is customary to savour typical snacks: gujiya , mathri , malpua and many other delicious specialties. Some premises water the whole of the famous Bhang, a drink, based on milk and hemp. The latter would intensify the spirit of the party. But be careful, if it is said to be pleasant, the Bhang can cause hallucinations and paranoia risks!
After a day to feast and to throw out colored water buckets and other pigments, evenings are usually reserved for frosts and the distribution of candy until late in the night.
Good to know.
- Every time someone touches another person, let him squeeze his face or something, he must say « Bura na mano, Holî hai », which means in Hindi “Don’t be angry, it’s the Holi.”
- Each color is not randomly launched:
- Red = joy and love
- Blue = vitality
- Green = harmony
- Orange = optimism
How to go to the Holi Festival?
You are decided to participate in the Holi Festival and want to stay in a well-served city? Opt for New Delhi the capital of the country! Tourist city, it is quite easy to move there.
From France
Several companies like Air India and Jet Airways offer direct flights from Paris CDG to Indira-Gandhi Airport. However, it is possible to find cheaper rates on flights with stopovers, from Paris and other cities in France.
Do not hesitate to use the flight comparison Ulysses to find the best prices according to your dates.
On site
Once on site, you can reach the city centre:
- Metro
In New-Delhi, the metro is the fastest and most effective way to get around. It serves a lot of neighbourhoods and strategic points, starting from Indira-Ghandi Airport. It is the orange line that connects the airport to the centre of the city in less than 25 minutes.
You can buy tickets for automatic machines available at Terminal 3 and outside Terminal 1. Count about 60 Rs per ticket, or 0.76 € .
- Bus
Comfortable and air-conditioned buses offer a regular service (every 30 minutes) allowing passengers to reach the city centre, including "Connaught Place" and the Interstate Bus Station. Count less than 1 € per ticket.
To reach these buses, a shuttle service from Terminal 3 is set up 24/7. Every 15 minutes, a shuttle will take you to the bus stop in front of the Centaur Hotel. And then you'll get to the city center.
Keep in mind, often crowded, the bus is not the easiest way to get around if you visit the city for the first time.
- Taxi
If you don't want to take public transport, the taxi is a very good way to rally the center of New-Delhi.
The Indira-Gandhi Airport, which maintains relations with several taxi companies, will be easy to find them at the exit of each terminal.
How to prepare for her coming to the Holi Festival?
In order to make the Holi festival an unforgettable moment and avoid it turning into a nightmare, here are some tips to live it in the best way.
- Choose your place of celebration
Moment of fun and conviviality, the Holi festival can also leave room for all excesses, including alcohol and other substances. The general atmosphere varies according to the region, it is important to choose the one that best suits you. Do not hesitate to contact your local travel agency or guide.
- Protect from toxic pigments
This may seem paradoxical but, immersed in the heart of this color battle, it will be necessary to try to reduce the risk of allergic reactions. If some pigments are made naturally, others may contain chemicals or even heavy metals.
Here are a few little tips will help you protect yourself to the maximum:
- Cover your head or brush your hair with coconut or olive oil - Cover with waterproof sun cream or oil - Bring sunglasses to protect your eyes - Protect your face with a tissue - Once the Holi returns, rinse first with cold and soap-free water in order to avoid the colors sealing
- Get out in group
Especially if you are a girl, it is advisable to participate in the Holi accompanied by a group of friends, if possible composed of men. Unfortunately, it is recurring to hear that some premises take advantage of the surge to reach the participants.
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