Holi

One of the most well known and holidays in India is Holi. Holi is called the festival of colorsand love. It is the celebration of the victorious triumph of good over evil. The night before Holi there is a bonfire with songs and dancing. The next morning people roam the street throwing colored dry powder or colored water on passersbys. Anyone is fair game!

Without my planning or knowing, Holi just so happened to coincide with the opening ceremony of my yoga course. Our entire cohort celebrated together by purchasing bags of colored powder and bravely walking the streets together.

Bags of bright colored powder!

Holi was the happiest holiday I have ever celebrated! Strangers greet each other like old friends. People are running and laughing in the streets. And all the colors make the day the brightest in the entire year!

BEFORE

AFTER

Some tips for those celebrating Holi in India.

1. Go in a large group and if possible celebrate in an ashram or with an organized institute, especially if you're a woman. I've hear horror stories about people using this holiday as an excuse to harass strangers. Never go by yourself.
2. Rub oil on your skin and hair, so that the colors won't stick. Get beneath your clothing. Parts of me were bight blue for days! Ha!
3. Buy the powder beforehand, I couldn't find a place that sold it the day of Holi.
4. Don't bring a camera or phone that's not waterproof. You will get soaked here.
5. Don't go out if you're super sensitive to artificial ingredients. One of my friends got sick because of the chemicals in the powder!