AP Photographs: India celebrates Holi, the Hindu competition of shade, marking the reawakening of spring
NEW DELHI — Hundreds of thousands of Indians celebrated Monday the Hindu Holi competition, dancing to festive music, exchanging meals and drink and smearing one another with purple, inexperienced, blue and pink powder, turning the air right into a joyful kaleidoscope of shade.
Extensively often called the Hindu competition of colours, Holi marks the arrival of the spring season in India, Nepal and different South Asian international locations in addition to the diaspora. It celebrates the divine love between the Hindu god Krishna and his consort Radha, and signifies a time of rebirth and rejuvenation, embracing the constructive and letting go of damaging vitality
Throughout the nation, folks — some wearing all white — celebrated the competition by drenching each other in coloured powder whereas others flung water balloons stuffed with coloured pigment from balconies. Some used squirt weapons to chase down fellow revelers in parks, and others danced on the streets to music blaring from audio system.
Food and drinks are a giant a part of the festivities. Distributors in elements of India bought Thandai — a standard beverage ready with milk, dry fruits and might generally be laced with hashish.
One other custom that marks Holi is Bhang, a paste made by grinding the leaves of the hashish plant and is utilized in drinks and snacks. It’s linked to Hinduism, notably to Lord Shiva, and is eaten throughout some non secular festivals within the area. The paste’s sale and consumption are permissible below Indian legislation, though a couple of states have banned it.
In elements of India, folks additionally lit giant bonfires the night time earlier than the competition to commemorate the triumph of fine over evil.
Holi traditions differ throughout India.
Final week, in preparation for the competition, a whole bunch of girls in two northern cities celebrated by playfully hitting males with wood sticks in response to their teasing as a part of a ritual. Referred to as the “Lathmar Holi” (Stick Holi), it attracts numerous guests.
