Holi Celebration 2021

 

Holi is the most awaited time of the year for me along with other major festivals that happen every year. Holi is not just exciting because it is fun but also the fact that we are still keeping a part of our history and celebrating it till present date. Holi has a legend attached to it which symbolizes the triumph of good over evil ,making it not only a festival to enjoy but also giving meaning and significance to the celebration and something we can learn about.

Holi in India is celebrated over 2 days. The first day is of Holika Dahan where a fire is lit and people gather around to perform some rituals and pray that all evils end(within themselves and even in society). Holika Dahan is interesting for me as it marks the start of holi by putting some colour on faces and gathering with everyone where we try to ask for forgiveness and pray for becoming a better human. According to the legend the evil died int he fire so it symbolizes the aspect of going away of the bad.

Once the ritual is performed the next day is celebrated as the triumph of good over evil and hence everyone plays with colours, evoking joy and cheerfulness. Usually families also prepare some homemade food items like Ghujiya which is a stuffed sweet delicacy. I personally love ghujiyas as it increases the festive mood along with Thandai. Usually all our friends go to each other's house to wish the families and also share these snacks along with the talk. 

      GHUJIYA

While playing Holi we(our society) have teams to target and prepare a specific plan to get others coloured faster than us. I used to hide and target our friends using coloured water ballons, pistol filled with coloured water or even other several machines designed to spray colours.

The best part for me during holi is the gathering and meeting people in such a lively atmosphere where happiness surrounds the air. Also we have a saying during holi 'Bura na mano holi hai!' which translates to 'dont mind it is holi!' ! which just elaborates how we try to stay happy and not hold any grudge against each other.

I would want to play it this year but due to the pandemic we could not gather and play it together :(

But nevertheless I celebrated it with my family this year as we prepared the snacks and shared it with each other and put some coloured powders on our faces wishing each other and praying that we have a good year ahead! Moreover, I had a video call with all my friends to try to experience the same atmosphere so it feels like Holi. 

After all festivals are all about happiness in whatever way we get. And happiness can always be shared whether there be a pandemic or not ,we just have to stay with our family and near ones and the sheer joy on their faces can light up our faces..:)