Holi Festival in India

These pictures from the BBC capture the Hindu celebration of Holi, or the festival of colors, which marks the begining of Spring.

The Holi celebration, which is celebrated throughout India and in Nepal, began yesterday and will end at sunset tonight.


On the second day, known as Dhulhendi, people take to the streets and throwing coloured powder on each other. The powder symbolizes vibrance, health, and medication against getting sick as the seasons change from cold to warm.





In Mathura, the birth place of Lord Krishna which is now in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, the day is celebrated with special prayers (puja).

I remember Mathura by mistake only. Let me explain.

In mid-2006 I boarded a train in Delhi for a day trip to Agra where the Taj Mahal is located. Being the 'savvy' traveller that I am, I bought a general ticket and boarded a coach with what seemed to be too many people already.

I soon found out that too many people in a train, or bus, in India means more will be boarding. I soon found myself crushed. The feeling was like nothing I had ever experienced. Like a sardine would be an exaggerated description of my situation!

About three hours into the trip, crushed against the compartment wall, I could not take it anymore. I felt like my being had been purged through my ears so I pushed forcefully and grunted myself off the train at a station somewhere.

I did not care where the hell I was. I needed to escape.

My escape came at Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, though I would only realize this days after I found a cab to drive me the rest of the way to the Taj Mahal.

Anyway, the Holi festival has nothing to do with my memory of Mathura or that train ride that made me buy a 1st class train ticket when I travelled from Bikaner (Rajastan) to Delhi a few months later.

Still, I know a little more now :0)







Happy Holi!