Holi

The story behind the bonfire is of Prahlada, a boy devoted to Vishnu, whose father, a demon king, wanted to be worshipped himself. The king’s sister Holika, who could not be harmed by fire, sat in a fire with the boy on her lap. Holika burned, and Prahlada walked out unharmed. Holi celebrates devotion and the triumph of good.

The play of colours belongs to Krishna, whose games with Radha and the cowherd girls of Braj are remembered with joy, and to the arrival of spring.

On the evening before, a bonfire is lit and people circle it and pray. Next morning everyone pours into the streets with coloured powder, gulal, and water guns, drenching friends, family and strangers alike. Special sweets such as gujiya are shared, and in some places a drink of milk and cannabis, bhang, is taken. In the afternoon people wash and visit each other.

In Mathura and Vrindavan, the land of Krishna, Holi lasts a week; in Barsana women playfully beat men with sticks in the Lathmar Holi. The festival is celebrated by Indian communities worldwide, and colour runs inspired by it are held in many countries.