Holi: The Indian Festival of Love

Holi, known as the Indian color festival and festival of love, commemorates the triumph of good versus evil, the arrival of spring after a long winter and celebrates many Indian deities including Hindu god Vishnu and supreme goddess Radha Krishna. Holi lasts for one day and one night beginning on the evening of Purnima (Full Moon Day) during the Hindu calendar month of Phalguna, which is usually around the middle of March on the Gregorian calendar.

On the evening of Purnima, large bonfires are set around India to symbolize the burning of evil spirits. On the day of Holi, people gather to throw colorful powder into the air and onto each other. Each color has a different meaning:

Red symbolizes love and fertility.

Yellow is the color of turmeric, a powder native to India and has healing properties.

Blue is for the Hindu God Krishna.

Green represents new beginnings.

Later in the day, families and friends gather together to share meals of Holi food and distribute sweets to neighbors and relatives.

Celebrate Holi with your own friends and family by seeing if any local Indian communities are holding events you can attend or by heading to your local library to learn more about the different Indian gods and goddess celebrated during the Holi festival.