Your Ultimate Guide To Holi Festival

Have you heard about a guide to Holi festival? This may be new but you are surely going to love it because it is going to help you make the most of your Holi celebration with your friends, family, and loved ones. 

Now you must be wondering why you even need a Guide to Holi festival, you are no longer a kid who is new to the festival. However, a little heads-up doesn’t hurt anybody, right? 

Holi is the only time of the year when throwing colours on a random stranger is completely okay, but there are certain things to keep in mind that you don’t overdo it. Before we head to what we should and shouldn’t do during the Holi celebration, let’s check out why we celebrate Holi and what is the history of Holi festival.

Suggested Read: Top Holi Events In Gurgaon 2024

History And Significance Of Holi

There are many legends associated with the celebration of Holi, some of which are:

Radha Krishna

Kamadeva’s Sacrifice

Kamadeva shot his arrow of love into Shiva’s heart, which awakened but angered him enough to open his third eye. It was then and there that Shiva incinerated Kamadeva on the day of Phalguna. Thus the people on the South side of India started worshipping him for his sacrifice because even though he was incinerated, his arrow awakened Shiva and made him fall for Parvati, hence bringing normalcy to the world. 

Killing Of Pootana

The king of Mathura, Kansa, ordered Pootana to kill infant Krishna by feeding him poisonous milk, however Krishna sucked the life out of her and she died one day before the Holi. So in some places it is believed that Holi marks the end of the cold, dark winters, and welcomes spring. 

Pootana was considered as winter and her end marks the heroic win of Lord Krishna over evil.

There are plenty of legends that go way back in time but the best part about all of it, is that these legends are responsible for introducing the world with such a cool festival that brings so much joy and happiness to every household and brings people together. 

Holi Celebration Guide

The celebration of Holi is grand in some parts of the country which by the way you should definitely check out because it is going to be an experience worth having. 

Guide To Holi Festival: When Is Holi Celebrated?

The timings of the Holi festival differ every year as it is in accordance with the Lunar Cycle, however, every year Holi falls in the month of February and March. The entire festival lasts for three days, after the Holika Dehen one night before the main Holi day. 

The day begins by offering pooja, and then putting Gulaal(Red colour) on each other and greeting each other with Happy Holi. 

Relatives exchange gifts and sweets on this day, however, the showstopper sweet Gujiya remains everyone’s favourite. 

There is Gujiya, colours, rocking music, and bhaang to keep the merriment going throughout the three-day celebration. 

Holi Celebrations In The Country

One very popular place to the wild Holi celebrations is Vrindavan, and Mathura which are considered the birthplace of Lord Krishna and one of the best places to celebrate Holi. You are in for some wild celebrations. 

Some of the best Holi celebrations can be seen in Hampi, Udaipur, Jaipur, Shantiniketan, Barsana, Delhi, Banke Bihari, and plenty of other places to witness the crazy vibe of the festival of colours and festival of love, bringing people closer. 

Ultimate Guide To Holi Festival: Do’s & Dont’s

Guide To Holi Festival: Do’s

• According to our Holi festival guide, you should visit your relatives and friends and greet them with love. 
• Do exchange Gujiyas with family and friends
• Oil your hair before playing with colours because as per our guide to Holi festival, if you don’t oil your hair before playing with colours, it may cause hair damage. 
• Do oil your other body parts that you may think are going to be exposed, to protect them from the harsh colours.
• Wear long sleeves and sunglasses to protect your eyes.

Guide To Holi Festival: Dont’s

• Don’t pull anyone’s hair
• Don’t make anyone uncomfortable by maintaining too much physical touch, if they are uncomfortable, sense the tone and maintain your distance. As per our guide to Holi Festival, it will save you from a lot of trouble. 
• Don’t drink too much bhaang or lassi because it may intoxicate you.