Holi

On March 10th and 11th I celebrated Holi with my host family!    Holi is known as the festival of colors, but there is much more to it than just colors.

On March 10th, bonfires are lit known as Holika Dahan (death of Holika) or Chhoti Holi (little Holi).  This ceremony is held at night and during the day people fast (they only eat the fasting foods until they go to the fire, the fasting foods contain things made from corn).  The bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape that young Prahlad had when Demoness Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu, carried him into the fire. When people go to the fire they first light a small puja of their own and then later they will walk around the fire and throw a coconut into the fire. 

Then the next day known as Dhulheti and is celebrated by people throwing colored powder and colored water at each other.  This is the main day which for me was also lots of fun!  First, I played with the kids in my neighborhood and then later went with one of my host sisters to her friends place, where they dragged me into a mud pile and put lots and lots of paint on me!  :)   Although it takes a while to get all the color removed, it is a lot of fun!!