The first written record of Holi is on a stone dating back to 300 BC. The festival was originally celebrated by married women who wished for family happiness and happiness.
According to legend, King Hiranyakashyap wanted all to worship him, but his son Prallad worshiped Lord Narayana. Indignant, the king ordered Prallad and his aunt Holika to run into the fire. The king’s sister believes she will escape unscathed, but what she doesn’t know is that she can only escape the flames if she runs into them alone. She died in the fire but Prallad was saved, supposedly because of his faith in Lord Narayana.
The festival has since celebrated the victory of good over evil and the value of devotion, and people light bonfires the night before, which is known as Holika Dahan. In some towns, people sing and dance around bonfires topped with a statue of Holika.
Many Indians spray perfume and wear white for maximum impact before throwing gulal (colored powder), traditionally made with turmeric and neem, at each other. They also doused each other with water cannons and water balloons on the streets and outside flower-decorated temples.
The festival lasts up to five days in Barpeta in the northeast, where locals burn clay huts and decorate their houses with flowers. In eastern Bengal, women dance while men carry images of Krishna and Radha through the streets on palanquins or stretchers.
Celebrations are a little quieter in the south, where young people in the southeastern state of Andhra Pradesh rub Gulal on the feet of their elders at night.
Start the day with a special breakfast DuscaFried round savory meatloaf, and later genius vada – Fried spicy dough soaked in yogurt – is a common snack.Holi is also an opportunity to sample festive sweets such as malpua – Cardamom Crispy Pancakes – and Buffy, fudge-like cubes flavored with pistachio, rose, saffron and almonds.You can also try Lados (coconut balls) and Gugiadeep-fried dumplings made with dried fruit dipped in syrup.
locals drink to celebrate Dande, a cold milk-based drink usually flavored with cardamom, almonds, anise and poppy seeds and topped with rose petals and saffron.Some people add booma mixture of ground and dried cannabis leaves.
