By DARREN ROLAND ROSARIO ,Mumbai : Diwadashi or the twelth day of the waxing moon in Phalgun marks the beginning of the festive season of holi. People start preparing for the festive season with high spirits and mothers stitch new dresses for their daughters who are married following the old age custom. Gulals and powders of various colours are brought. Pichkaris or long syringes and water balloons are filled with these colours.
Rang parshi marks the advent of holi into the houses, three days, prior to the full moon. In the evenings, families gather around to carry out the formal occasions of sprinkling colours. Coloured powders abd coloured water in a ‘ Lota ‘ are arranged on a thali. Before hand the “ Kul Purchit “ intiated the celebrations of holi. The eldest male member of the family throws colour powder and waters on every member of the family.
The younger members perform the same in turn. Love and blessings are thus shared by all family members. Ther festivities for the day end with the intake of the special food items – Gujja, Kanji Ke Vade , Papri and kofta curry. Drinks before meals is a must.
Holika is being burnt on the nextday called “Puno “. It is burnt following the legendary story of Prahlad and his reverence to lord Vishnu. Large bonifies are made all over the place and people gather around the fire to enjoy singing and dancing. Roasted bundles of wheat and green gram are eaten.
On the third day called “ Parva “ families and friends along with their children gather on the roads and coloured powders are spread all over the place. Faces and the bodies of the people get smeared with gulal and coloured powders. Coloured water filled in pichkaris are spouted on to the people.
Water balloons are thrown at friends and neighbours and mud baths are prepared expressing the spirit of fun. Feet of the elders are touched with gulal to pay them respect. Drum beatings and holi songs are heard everywhere. The festival of colours is free of any . Some old fashion customs are attached to holi son – in – law are invited for compulsory meals after which “Pyala “ ranging from rupees five to five hundred and a glass of drink are presented. Mothers – in – laws gift “ Kothli “ to their daughter – in – law
An interesting custom is to some how lock the parents – in – law in a room by a new bride who releases them only after receiving a gift. Holi celebrated all over the country with passion and fervor is the time to spread love joy and brightness among all phalgun in springs marks the advent of warmth in new life as spring is the time to revitalize and holi brings colours into everybody life. During holi people wear new traditional clothes. “ Dandia “ is a white cotton saree gifted to married woman. People love to dress themselves in white during holi to display the bright contrasting colours .
Nice little study on Holi. Thanks for the effort.