Photos of smiling tourists and locals covered
head to toe in colored powder are now a universal image of travel and tourism
in India, and are the heart of the joyous Indian festival called Holi. In the
tradition of many Asian festivals, the Holi celebration draws on elements of
astrological rituals, religious traditions, and unique cultural characteristics.
Holi is a Hindu festival that celebrates the
story of immortal Hiranyakashipu and his son, Prahlada who became enemies after
the son devoted himself to Vishnu instead of his father. After surviving
several attempts on his life, Prahlada was tricked into sitting in a fire along
with his scheming aunt Holika, who had a fireproof cape. To everyone’s surprise,
Holika was burned and Prahlada survived the inferno just fine, proving he had
made the right choice.
This year Holi is celebrated on March 17, and continues
for a few days afterward. Different locations around the country celebrate the
holiday in different ways, but there are several common themes that visitors can
see everywhere. Of course, there is the dancing, music, food and general
merrymaking that grips everyone from young children to teenagers, parents and
seniors. One can also see large bonfires, called holika, set around town in memory of Prahlada’s miraculous escape.
Human pyramids are formed in an attempt to break a pot of buttermilk suspended
high above the street, and visitors shouldn’t be startled by women beating men
with rolled-up saris or sticks – it’s
all part of the fun.
The most visual and beautiful part of the
celebration is when participants throw great handfuls of colored powder at each
other in a boisterous celebration of the festivities. Rich purple, blazing
orange, ruby red, sparkling blue and a thousand colors in between are flung
into the air and over crowds resulting in an intense rainbow of colors covering
every inch of the celebrating masses. It makes for some great photos – but make
sure the camera is Holi-proofed!
Like many things in India, Holi truly has to be
seen to be believed. It’s a celebration of life and culture where everyone
plays a part, and visitors are warmly welcomed. If a visit to India is on the
calendar in late March, the Agoda.com hotels on our list are located in a
variety of cities with large Holi celebrations will ensure a spot right in the
middle of the action. Click
here to see the hotels at Agoda.com’s press center.
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