Today is the Holi Festival in India and all over the world. Holi, otherwise known as the Festival of Colors, is a Hindu festival celebrating the coming of Spring and the triumph of Good over Evil. It is celebrated by people throwing brightly colored powders and paints on each other and dancing. Generally all around good fun! (Did I mention there are water guns?)
My friend Becca and I went to a Holi celebration this past Saturday and had the time of our lives! If you've never been to Holi but you get the chance to go (major US cities with higher Indian populations will likely have celebrations) here are a few tips:
1. Wear as much white as possible, at least a white shirt. Whatever the color of your clothes, make sure you don’t care about them at all and plan on their being destroyed.
2. Leave jewelry at home, it won’t hurt them but I’d just rather not have to deal with it. DO bring sunglasses (I wish I had). Leave your bags in the car. Just bring some cash, your keys, and a picture taking device in your pockets.
3. Bring a towel for the ride home. (Hitchhiker’s is still right about this one.)
4. It doesn’t matter what age you are, where you come from, or what you look like, everyone is welcome. Unless you don’t intend to throw colors or dance. Then I’m not sure why you came and you’d be better off at home.
5. Hydrate.
6. Once you have your color throw it at anyone and everyone in a spirit of fun and community. Don’t forget to say “Happy Holi!”
7. DON’T throw colors in people’s face. Rub it on their face and in their hair with your fingers. I asked a girl who had yellow (a color I didn’t have “on” yet) if she would rub some on my face. She said sure and threw a handful in my face before I knew it. I guess I should have made myself clearer.
8. Try to keep your mouth shut as much as possible because the powder does get into your teeth and you’ll be spitting colors for a while. Also keep your eyes closed because it’s very uncomfortable getting it in your eyes (as when the girl threw it in my face). This is where sunglasses come in handy.
9. Dance. No one cares. Seriously. Just do what everyone else is doing (or channel your favorite Bollywood star) and have a good time.
10. Make new friends. Talk to strangers. Act the fool. It will be worth it and you will always remember it!
If I were really cool I would make one of those things they have on Pinterest but since I’m pretty thoroughly uncool I’ll just say it here:
What I think I look like on Holi:
What I actually look like:
picture
picture this link has some amazing photos of Holi!
picture
For more photos of Holi just type "holi" into google and search images. You'll get the general idea. And for anyone who is wondering, yes, going to Holi for me (as a Bollywood fan) was like a nerdy kid going to a Star Wars convention. Best Day Ever!
My friend Becca and I went to a Holi celebration this past Saturday and had the time of our lives! If you've never been to Holi but you get the chance to go (major US cities with higher Indian populations will likely have celebrations) here are a few tips:
1. Wear as much white as possible, at least a white shirt. Whatever the color of your clothes, make sure you don’t care about them at all and plan on their being destroyed.
2. Leave jewelry at home, it won’t hurt them but I’d just rather not have to deal with it. DO bring sunglasses (I wish I had). Leave your bags in the car. Just bring some cash, your keys, and a picture taking device in your pockets.
3. Bring a towel for the ride home. (Hitchhiker’s is still right about this one.)
4. It doesn’t matter what age you are, where you come from, or what you look like, everyone is welcome. Unless you don’t intend to throw colors or dance. Then I’m not sure why you came and you’d be better off at home.
5. Hydrate.
6. Once you have your color throw it at anyone and everyone in a spirit of fun and community. Don’t forget to say “Happy Holi!”
7. DON’T throw colors in people’s face. Rub it on their face and in their hair with your fingers. I asked a girl who had yellow (a color I didn’t have “on” yet) if she would rub some on my face. She said sure and threw a handful in my face before I knew it. I guess I should have made myself clearer.
Like this.
8. Try to keep your mouth shut as much as possible because the powder does get into your teeth and you’ll be spitting colors for a while. Also keep your eyes closed because it’s very uncomfortable getting it in your eyes (as when the girl threw it in my face). This is where sunglasses come in handy.
9. Dance. No one cares. Seriously. Just do what everyone else is doing (or channel your favorite Bollywood star) and have a good time.
10. Make new friends. Talk to strangers. Act the fool. It will be worth it and you will always remember it!
If I were really cool I would make one of those things they have on Pinterest but since I’m pretty thoroughly uncool I’ll just say it here:
What I think I look like on Holi:
What I actually look like:
picture
picture this link has some amazing photos of Holi!
picture
For more photos of Holi just type "holi" into google and search images. You'll get the general idea. And for anyone who is wondering, yes, going to Holi for me (as a Bollywood fan) was like a nerdy kid going to a Star Wars convention. Best Day Ever!
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