Holi: Festival of Colours
In this post, we will cover the history of Holi and its meaning, how it is celebrated and spread of the celebrations that take place throughout the rest of the world.
What is Holi?
Holi is Hindu festival that celebrates love, spring and bringing people together. It’s origins date back to 4th Century India, with the festival marking the end of the long winter and the start of spring. It also helps mark a symbolic victory of good over evil. There are many stories in the Hindu faith about the origins of Holi.
The celebration is marked by the last full moon in the Hindu calendar month of Phalguna, which means Holi regularly falls in the last two weeks of March. This year the date of Holi is 25 March 2024. The festivities of Holi last all day and night.
Holi has gained popularity in recent years, with many events happening both in Indian as well as the rest of the world. Many of these are like music festivals in many countries. Some feel the event that has become more commercialised by these events. However, these events can still be great celebrations if the core messages and history of the festival are remembered.
How is Holi celebrated?
In Indian, pyres are light across the country on the eve of the festival, with people encouraged to help add fuel to the fire by throwing in dried wood, branches leaves and even food. Music and dancing also take place during the lighting of the pyres. Specific food is eaten on the night before the festival, including roast Holuk, which is a blend of grains, wheat and spices and is mean to promote companionship.
On the day of the festival, the streets are covered in colours, as people throw coloured powered into the air. People are encouraged to wear white, to allow the colours to be in full vibrancy. Coloured patterns of flowers, powder, rice and sand are painted on the floors in front of houses and businesses. Music is also played throughout the streets and children are given toys.
During the evening of the festival, everyone gets together to enjoy each other’s company with food and sweets. There are many traditional food items that are made for Holi, some of which are: Pisti Barfi is a fudge like sweet treat made with grated coconut. Gujiya is like baklava, coming deep friend and stuffed with green cardamon and often come decorated in colourful flower and spices. Mathris is made of flour, salt and spices, these savoury biscuits are often accompanied with chutney and garlic.
Want to cook for Holi? BBC Goodfood have a selection of recipes that can be made using ingredients bought in the UK.
The impact of colour
Colours have strong representation during Holi. Red symbolises love and fertility. Yellow symbolises turmeric, an important powder that is native to Indian and an important in south Asian cuisine and culture. Blue symbolises Hindu god Krishna, the god of protection, compassion, and love. Green symbolizes new beginnings, with ties to the changing of the seasons.
Where to celebrate in Leeds?
The Leeds Holi Colour Festival takes place each year at Beaverworks. To get tickets to the event, see here.
On Monday 25 March, we will be in the common rooms on both campuses educating students on Holi, come along to the stall!
