Tips and suggestions for celebrating the festival of colours.
Each year in India, people throughout the country celebrate Holi. This famous Hindu festival takes places at the end of winter on the day after the full moon in March each year. The event lasts two days and signifies the victory of good over evil. Yet, Holi is best known for the Holi festival, the celebrations on its second day, when perfumed powder called gulal is pelted at everyone and made to stick with water pistols and balloons. The celebrations also involve throwing the beautiful, vibrant powders at each other, music, and other fun activities.
People in other countries have also gotten on board with this tradition, and for the last few years the Holi festival has been celebrated in Europe, including London. It is also very popular with kids so if you want your kids to experience something fun and truly unique, then bring them along!
If you are in India over Holi, make sure to join one of the many celebrations there which take place almost all over the country. Activities range from traditional temple rituals to modern parties so check out what suits you and your friends or family best. And to make sure you have a great time at the Holi festival in India, and feel safe, in particular as a woman, read our tips and suggestions below:
1. Choosing your colours
Always buy natural colours if you can. Colours made using chemicals could potentially damage your clothing, skin, and hair – and not to forget that of others. Check out PremierGlow for colours and accessories that will help you enjoy your festival and have a great day.
2. Where to celebrate
The northern part of India is the most popular place for Holi. Cities like Mathura, Rajasthan, Varanasi, and Delhi, in particular, are good places to celebrate. As a general rule, women should celebrate the Holi festival in India with people that they know and trust rather than heading out into the streets on their own. The celebration can get quite rambunctious and there are a lot of strangers involved. During the festival, people apply brightly coloured powders to one another. This not only includes people that they know but also strangers in the crowd! That means that people who you don’t know may touch you. For that reason, it is extremely important to research the area where you plan on celebrating to make sure that it is safe. Attending one of the many pre-planned parties in cities throughout India is usually the best option since it reduces the chances of any uninvited interactions.
3. Wear the right clothing
Traditionally, people attending the Holi festival in India wear clothing that is either white or very light in colour. The reason is simply that the colours are a lot more noticeable on a light background. Don’t wear your best clothing. Instead, wear something that you don’t mind getting ruined since the coloured powders can often stain.
Bear in mind that during the festival, you are likely to get wet. Test your clothing beforehand to make sure that it won’t become see-through when saturated with water. You may need to wear a tank top or undershirt to avoid drawing too much attention.
4. Choose the right shoes
Don’t wear trainers or shoes/sandals that are made from fabric or leather since they can easily become stained. A much better option is to wear inexpensive flip-flops. Just make sure that they fit securely on your feet as you could easily lose them if they come off your feet in the crowd. Always, remember that the Holi Festival in India is a lot of fun, but it also involves a lot of paint.
5. Wear waterproof makeup and inexpensive sunglasses
If you plan on wearing makeup, choose waterproof varieties that won’t wash away when they get wet. Also, don’t forget to wear sunscreen. If you wear contacts, avoid wearing them to the festival since the coloured powders can be painful if they get in your eyes. Wearing a pair of inexpensive sunglasses is a great way to keep your eyes protected if you don’t need prescription glasses.
6. Protect your hair
If you have light-coloured hair, apply a generous layer of oil to it before the festival to help keep it from getting stained with the coloured pigments. Consider wearing it up in a ponytail or braiding it to keep it from getting to stained while you celebrate. This will make a big difference when you come home and have to clean your hair.
7. Avoid carrying too much
Don’t bring more items with you than necessary. Usually, it is best to limit your personal belongings to your phone and a little bit of spending money. Keep your belongings in a plastic or waterproof bag to avoid them getting wet. If you are bringing a camera, you should also make sure the bag you carry it in is waterproof.
Holi is a fantastic festival that has quickly become a global phenomenon. Going to a Holi celebration in India is a great way to spend time with friends or as a family. Kids will be in awe of the vibrant colours, which are spectacular and beautiful and what better way to celebrate another culture and open a child’s mind. So, if you’re looking for a great day out on holiday in India, see if you can find an event celebrating the Holi festival near you – it will be a fun and unique thing to do with the kids.
If you have enjoyed our post, why not check out our holidays for single parents or our solo holidays?
