Holi (pronunciation: /ˈhoʊliː/; Sanskrit: होली Holī) is a Hindu spring festival
also known as the "festival of colours" or the "festival of love"
One story tells the story of how the god Vishnu saved his follower
Prahlada from a pyre while Prahlada's evil aunt Holika burned.
Coloured powder - or gulal - thrown comes from the legend of Krishna,
whose skin was dark blue.
Worried he wouldn't be accepted by his love Radha, he mischievously coloured
her face to make her like himself.
Also celebrated as a thanksgiving for a good harvest.
Lasts for two days starting on the Purnima (Full Moon day) falling in the
Vikram Samvat Hindu Calendar
“The idea of consent does not exist during Holi,” said Sabika Abbas Naqvi,
the president of Delhi’s student hostels union. She said many women
discreetly avoided their usual public outings around the festival, and
avoided larger, uncontrolled gatherings.
Animal lovers have repeatedly expressed concern about the harm
that people celebrating Holi can cause pets and stray animals.
The chemicals in the colours used during the festival can give animals
eczema and cause irritation around their eyes, lung infections,
gastrointestinal problems, vomiting and psychological trauma.
Mumbai Police joined in the fun as well using its Twitter handle to say,
"Your every unholy action will have an equal and opposite reaction from us.
Gentle reminder today before you indulge in something unwarranted,
We Are On Duty."
“More Foolishness of festivals is celebrating victory over problems we
not even aware of and ignoring both our present problems and
solutions....I doubt even 1 in 120 crore Indians knows a reason why Holi
is celebrated but they all do become Bhang needs no reason ..
Mera Bharat Mahaan.”
Ram Gopal Varma, Bollywood personality
Stand in running water for 5-10 minutes after playing Holi.
Ensure that you do not scrub or scratch aggressively.
Be extra careful while removing the Holi colours from your face.
It is ideal to use olive oil to remove the colour.
Dab some, leave it on for a few minutes and then wash off.