HOLI HAI!

India is a land of many unique celebrations and festivals. One of the most fun – loving and enjoyable celebration is Holi!

What is Holi?

Holi indicates the arrival of spring. This colourful celebration is marked with devotion, traditional dances, music, exchange of sweets, smearing of gulaal (a fine, coloured powder) and the drenching of family and friends in coloured water. It is, in fact known as the “festival of colours” celebrated with much enthusiasm across India.

How is Holi celebrated in India? 

Holi is celebrated on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna (February/March) which marks the end of the winter season. The celebrations begin on a full moon night, with Holika Dahan where people gather in front of a bonfire and with some rituals are performed. This is also known as Chhoti Holi, after which prasad (a devotional offering) is given to all.

The following morning, people smear each other with colours. Some carry pichkari (water guns) spiked with paint or colored water. Others fill balloons with coloured water and drench their family and friends.

Holi is the most exciting of all festivals, especially for children, since it’s messy and colorful a matchless combination! Children today are however, aware of the growing concerns about water conservation and protection of the environment. Nonetheless, there are many of ways by which children can continue to enjoy and celebrate the festival of colors in a “green manner”.

Let’s take a look at some ideas to get our children to look forward to a truly Happy Holi.

? Read Story Books On Holi: Wondering where to start? Amma, Tell Me About Holi is a great read! With rhyming text and bright pictures, the book is ideal for children. Teachers and parents are sure to enjoy reading this aloud with their children.

? Toothbrush Painting: It is the most enjoyable activity for kindergarteners as it gives an opportunity for a creative outlet and allows for making a mess while having a lot of fun. Go ahead and splash some colour!

? Make Organic Colours: You can’t take the colors out of the festival, so let’s get eco – friendly! Organic colours are safe and harmless to the environment, so one need not worry about the safety of the child or planet. Making organic colours can be a part of the celebration as it can be a lot of fun and a great bonding activity with your child. You can use beetroot powder, turmeric powder, spinach powder, wheat leaves, amla, henna, or other natural ingredients to make safe and natural colours for the family.

? Make Your Own Water Guns: It is hard to imagine Holi without fun toys like the Pichkaris (water guns). There’s a unique way to get pleasure from playing with them, without being guilty of wasting water. Fill up pichkaris with fruit juices instead of water. Allow children to drink from them. One can add to the fun by creating games in which one has to squirt fruit juice from the pichkaris into the mouths. This should ensure plenty of enjoyment and conserve water as well.

? Plan And Organize A Puppet Show: Plan a puppet show for children one that convey the significance of Holi and offers a subtle message on water conservation. This can be done through a virtual platform too.

? Make Mouth - Watering Holi Sweets: This Holi, take time to make sweets with your children. Children love sweets, but actually involving them in making the sweets makes for valuable learning. Give them easy tasks like stirring the batter, kneading the dough, rolling out small balls of dough and so on. Get them involved by allowing them to help you with the chores. Remember, it is important to have fun as a family.

With such exciting activities, you can be sure that the festive season will be a time of joyous celebration, just as it’s meant to be. Rest assured that once you try out these activities, your kids will look forward to Holi every year. Then again, this is how memories are made.

With the hope that our lives are filled with all the colours of the rainbow, sending out the happiest colours. Here’s wishing everyone a happy and safe Holi. Stay safe and blessed.

Rang Barse!